Maatukara Velan, which was one of the biggest blockbusters about 47 years ago, featured MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha as the lead pair. The process for the film’s digitalisation has begun and is all set for a release very soon. With an image makeover added with 5.1 surround sound and DI, it is definitely going to be a visual treat for the stars’ fans. The digitalised version is sure to be a fitting tribute to MGR as it happens to be his centenary year.

The film has MGR playing a double role and paired opposite him were Jayalalitha and Lakshmi. A remake of the Telugu hit Govula Gopanna, the film was directed by Pa Neelakantan. The star cast of this film also included SA Ashokan, VK Ramasamy and Cho Ramaswamy. KV Mahadevan had composed tunes for the film and all the songs in the album turned out to be chartbusters.

Produced by N Kanagasabai’s Jayanthi Films, Maatukara Velan was distributed by the same production house. When it was released way back in 1970, the film managed to get 400 houseful shows, which was not a mean feat in those days.

Maatukara Velan is not the first MGR – Jayalalitha film to be digitalized. A couple of years earlier, their film Aayirathil Oruvan was digitalised and re-released. The film went on to get a good response proving that film buffs have a strong penchant for the lead actors’ screen presence even today.

(Content provided by Digital Native)