NTR and MGR classics are reborn

Noted Tamil producer O.K. Mani has acquired the rights to re-release the classic films of yesteryear superstars M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) and N.T. Rama Rao (NTR).

Srinivasa Kalyanam, a black and white costume drama that catapulted former Andhra Pradesh chief minister NTR to fame in the 1960s in Tamil Nadu, its Telugu version Venkateshwara Mahatmyam, MGR's Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973), Adimaippen (1969) and Nadodi Mannan (1958) are all set to be released again with better colour and additional visuals. The films are now being colour-corrected and re-edited to be released soon.

Spurred by the successful re-release of the Hindi classic Mughal-e-Azam, the producer said that NTR and MGR movies are evergreen box office bets because whenever they are released, "They collect a sizeable amount of money. Besides, both are cult figures even today."

According to Mani, several computer graphic visuals and snatches of the annual festival at the famed temple in Tirupati have been added to Srinivasa Kalyanam. The film's total length has been trimmed to 120 minutes and its sound has been digitized to fit it into the modern movie idiom.

MGR's Ulagam Sutrum Valiban, Adimaippen and Nadodi Mannan will be released one after another from October onwards in cinemascope with digitized sound. These films had Latha, former actress, AIADMK chief Jayalalitha and Saroja Devi as MGR's female leads. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban will have 50 prints, while the NTR movie will be released with just five prints.