Forever Gold

The online version of this article is available from here

Remakes from Hindi

Malayalam Movie                               Hindi Equivalent

Vivahitha                                                    Gumraah  (Sunil Dutt, Mala Sinha)
Brahmachari                                               Ek Naari Ek Brahmachari
Deepam                                                     Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki
Ragam                                                       Anuraag
Maattoli                                                     Dushman (Rajesh Khanna, Mumtaz)
Anjali                                                        Satyakaam
Laava                                                       Jis Desh Mein Ganga Bahthi hai   (Raj Kapoor, Padmini)
Bheekara Nimishangal                                 36 Ghante
Archana Teacher                                        Kora Kagaz
Vanadevatha                                              Madhumathi
Sneham                                                    Dosthi
Anupallavi                                                  Pathi Pathni aur woh
John Jaffer Janardhan                                 Amar Akbar Antony
Puthiya velicham                                       Phool Aur Patthar   (Meena kumari, Dharmendra)
Thuranna Jail                                            Do Ankhen Barah Haath  (Shantaram, sandhya)
Angam                                                     Zindagi
Bandham                                                 Seetha aur Geetha
Himam                                                    Yadon Ki Baaraat

Ivide Thudangunnu                                    Meri Adaalat
Jeevitham                                                Avataar
Odaruthammava Aalariyaam                     Chashme Baddhoor
Ee sabdham innathe sabdham                  Aaj ki aawaz
Jeevante jeevan                                        Boxer
Pathamudayam                                       Kalicharan
Ayalvasi oru daridravasi                            Khatta Meetha
Ninnishtam Ennishtam                              Sunayana
Chekkaranoru chilla                                   Saheb
Suprabhatham                                          Andaaz  (Shammi Kapoor, Hema Malini)
Ee Kaikalil                                               Majboor
Mindapoochakku Kalyanam                      Chit chor

Creative Side of Priyadarsan - Poochakkoru Mukkuthi

But most of his creations as some of may know, are lose adaptations of hollywood movies. It is none other than Priyadarshan.

MAKING OF POOCHAKKORU MOOKKUTHI (The fans of Priyan pardon me, but this is a fact. I have not come across any pin pointing on this film in line with my findings. If somebody know, please favour me with feed back. And also, if ever you get chance to watch these movies, please).

Poochakkoru Mookkuthi can be considered as combination of two tamil films (at least 90 % of the film) except for the climax.

The tamil fims - Rajarani (1956) directed by A Bhimsingh + En Manaivi (1942) directed by Sunder Rao Nadkarni.

The sequences involving the mistaken identity of Menaka, confusion created regard to the relation between Nedumudi Venu and Menaka, Sukumari suspecting Nedumudi Venu, etc
This sequence is just a copy of the situation in Raja Rani. Padmini playing role corresponding to that of Menaka, N S Krishnan playing that of Neumudi Venu, and T A Madhuram that of Sukumari. Sivaji Ganeshan playing the role corresponding to Mohanlal.

Coincidences are welcome, and in English literature we call it accidental incidences. But can some one imagine a scene, in which Sukumari suspects, and thinks that she caught hsesr husband red handed has a predecessor scene ? Yes there is. In Raja Rani - T A Madhuram comes to the Balcony of her house to just clear her comb after combing the hair and discard the fallen hair to the garden, then she finds Padmini hiding behind the bushes, a dove on her head, and N S Krishnan enters the bushes to pick up his walking stick which by mistake he throws to the bushes.

Hope now you got the point. A ditto scene is there in our Priyans film also. Involving Sukumari ( T A Madhuram), Menaka (Padmini), Nedumudi Venu (NS Krishnan) and Mohanlal (Sivaji).

The story line also somewhat same. Padmini being mistaken to be the rich lady T A Madhuram.


And such scene from En Manaivi also copied. That is in the climax scenes involving Soman etc. In the film En Manaivi I remember Sarangapani, Padma etc were the stars.

Adoor Bhasi's First Movie

I think Thiramala was his first film.  The songs book of the film clearly show that he acted in the role of a shopkeeper I am attaching a copy of the page showing these details.

Amma - I dont have the songs book completely, only few pages.  I dont think he has acted in Amma.  I will look into the matter and inform

And it was in Mudiyanaya Puthran that he got a commendable role.
 

Curios in Malayalam Cinema

1. HIndi film "Dunia Naa Maane " (1937) - Kunku in Marathi. produced by Prabhat films under the direction of V Shantaram remain a classic. The film had no background music. Only natural sounds. And for the songs also - the singing stars htting cups together, beating on the floor with stick etc to give orchestral effect to the song. And for two songs, the heroine playing a gramaphone record of instrumental music as background for the singing. A Great film, I believe it is in this film that a full length English song was sung (by Shanta Apte.

A poem by Longfellow - Psalm of life.
"In the worlds great field of battle....... as I remember).

In Malayalam film "Kodiyettam" also, I understand only natural sounds are there. No orchestral background music for the film.

2. In Padunna Puzha, the comedy King of yesteryears, Adoor Bhasi acted in the role of Mother, daughter and son (I have not seen this film, read so somewhere which I noted down)

3. The genius writer, director of Malayalam cinema Padmarajan - he dubbed for the Phayalvaan in the film "Oridathoru Phayalvaan". He lent his voice to Prathap Pothen also in the film "Novembarinte Nashtam"

4. This is my observation, and not mentioned anywhere, I have not come across at least so far. In the Malayalam film "Aana Valarthiya Vaanambaadi", I doubt - It was Adoor Pankajam who lent her voice to the Tamil actress C K Saraswathi (acting as Shanti's mother) and Aranmula Ponnamma that lent voice to S D Subbalakshmi (Hero Sreeram's mother. SD Subbalakshmi is the stepmother of dancer Padma Subramaniam, )

5. Jyothi Venkatachalam, who was Governor of Kerala acted in the Malayalam film in a guest role - "Bharya Oru Manthri"

6. Film stars act as original film stars in films. Mammootty, Mohanlal etc have acted in some films, for example Mammootty in the film "No.20 Madras Mail" as film star Mammooty.
I think, it was Satyan who acted in such a role for the first time in Malayalam. In Chathurangam he acted as Satyan, who comes for a college day celebration in the film.

Remakes from other languages (than Tamil)

Yakshaipparu   - Henna Hooli (Kannada)
Abhimanam -  Bharya Bhartulu (Telugu)
Appooppan  - Thaatha Mandulu (Telugsu)
Pakarathinu Pakaram -  Prathighatana (Telugu)
Paavappettaval Devata (Nagiah, Kumari, Suryakumari etc) 1941 ***

*** One who have seen the classic Telugu movie, will not forgive the Malayalam producer for the Malayalam remake - a bore film. The classic Telugu has the singing star V Nagian (In malayalam Satyan), Kumari (Kamaladevi in Mal.), Vidhubala (T Suryakumari ) Sadhna (Bezvada Rajaratnam), Seshamamba (Aranmula Ponnamma)

The Telugu film directed by B N Reddy remains a classic. Malayalam film just boring, Horrible so to say to watch.

Dignified Imitations

Whatever may be the act, it becomes dignified when one  approve it is are true to himself.

Imitation - The film music followed the way from the beginning.  And some consider it shameful, yes shameful it is.  To inherit somebody's property.  But, when you admit that you have snatched it from somebody, at least you are true to yourselves.  But one denies it and claims to be his own.  Yes this is what happened in the case of the imitation from Thenmavin Kombath

The imitation of the Pankaj Mullick melody - Piya Milan ko aana .... from Kapal Kundala.

Do you know, this tune was imitated in Tamil , upto my knowledge three times.

1.  Ashok Kumar 1941.  M K Thyagaraja Bhagavathar and T V Kumudini sang in the tune of Piya Milan ko aana....  The Tamil duet - "Ullam Kavarumen Paavaai..."

2.  Same year, 1941 in the Tamil film "Sanyasi"  T S Jayal sang a comedy song, "Koyyapazham Vaangaleyo...." in the same tune. 

3.  In the tamil film of 1941 itself, "Seetha Jananam" also, P G Venkateshan (who is popularly known as  Tamil Saigal) sang a song in the same tune.  I dont remember the lyrics, I have got the gramphone records of these songs.

The difference with our Malayalam composer and the composers/singer of the tamil imitations is that, the singers and the composers openly, and with some pride, said that they imitated the Pankaj Mulllick number in Tamil. 

Notable Movies from Literature

The following is a database MSI is building with the data provided by B Vijayakumar. This is an effort to collect the movies from literature


Click here for the MSI Literature Database

History of Playback Singing in South India - Some Thoughts

It could be said that Rukmini, Lakshmi's mother was in some way instrumental for the popularisation of playback singing in South Indian cinema.


Playback singing started in Indian cinema with Dhoop Chaon (Bhagyachakra in Bengali. Film simultaneously made in both languages).

That was in 1935.

In the south, playback singing for the first time happened quite accidentally, which was not preplanned. And the producer and director of south India, whose work in the cinema field remains unique, the great A V Meiyyappa Chettiar was the person behind the playback singing in South India.

At the legendary Prabhat Studios (now converted as National Film Archives and Film Institute, Pune) a film "Nanda Kumar" was being produced in Hindi and Tamil simultaneously. The legendary Durga Khote in Hindi, and T P Rajalakshmi as Yashoda. The great singing star T R Mahalingam acted as the child Krishna in the tamil version, and I hope this was his debut film also. The voice of the actress who took the role of Devaki, Chettiar is not of appreciable quality. Chettiar replaced her voice by a noted classical singer of that time, Lalitha Venkatraman who was settled in Bombay. This remain the first playback instance in South Indian cinema.

Probably the Hindi composer C Ramchandra might have sung the first male playback in South. C Ramchandra started his career in Tamil, composing music for the tamil film "Jayakkodi" in late 1930s. In the 1941 tamil film produced/directed by the Hindi actor/director Bhagwan,  "Vanamohini" C Ramchandra was the composer. He sang also under the nickname Chitalkar, playback to the hero M K Radha.


A glamour girl and singing star of the time Thavamani devi was the heroine. I have got few songs of the film - 78 rpms. Probably this was the first male playback in tamil/south india.

In the tamil film Sri Valli (1945) Rukmini acted in the heroines role, as Valli, the consort of Muruga. The singing star noted for his high pitch singing, T R Mahalingam was the hero. A V M Chettiar was very keen on the success/performance of his films. The feed back from the public, on the film, was not encouraging. It was felt that the singing of Rukmini did not match with that of Mahalingam. Music was governing factor in success of a film those days, and even to this day it is so. Chettiar withdrew the film from the theatres. Rukminis singing voice was replaced with the singing of P A Periyanayaki, a playback singer of the time. And the film went well. Rukmini took this as an insult and disgrace to her, and walked out of other films that she had entered contract with AVM. But chettiar did not mind it at all. And the success of Sri Valli became an inspiration for the other producers also to opt for playback singing for other singing stars also whose voice was not much impressive.

And this paved way for the heores with good looks, but NOT A GOOD VOICE, to play as heros in films. Before that the good looks was not the criteria to become a hero, it was Good voice that was important. Even singing stars of somewhat good voice like T R Rajakumari, G Varalakshmi, T R Ramachandran, etc also sang in the voices of Leela, Jikki, TMS etc etc.

A Note about PA Periyanayaki


A very gracious singer, voice somewhat resemble our P Madhuri.
 
Her most celebrated film was "Gnanasoundari" produced by Citadel in late 1940s.  I hope in 1947 or 48.  She sang playback for the heroine M V Rajamma, a singing star of early tamil/kannada cinema.  Again this is an example of playback singing getting popularity, a singing star singing in the voice of a playback singer.  All the songs sung by her in Gnanasoundari became super hits.  "Arul Tharum Deva mathave...", "Jeeviya Bhagyame...", "Vettunda kaikal..."  "Kanniye mamarithaye...."  etc etc.  She has acted in few films also, and I remember she acted in male role as Narada in an tamil film. 

Sreerama Pattabhishekam (1962)

Cast: Prem Nazir, Prem Navaz, Thikkurissi, G. K. Pillai, Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, Jos Prakash, Miss Kumari, Adoor Pankajam etc.

 

EPIC ADAPTATION Prem Navaz and Shanti from a scene from the film Sree Rama Pattabhishekam

‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam,' released on October 11, 1962 was the second Malayalam film based on the ‘Ramayana', the first being ‘Seetha' (1960) produced by Udaya Studios. The film was produced and directed by P. Subramaniam under the banner of Neela Productions. Tales from ‘Ramayana' were performed on the stage from time immemorial and was a staple subject in all forms of Indian performing arts. Cinema was also fascinated by the epic.

The silent film ‘Lanka Dahan' produced and directed by Dada Saheb Phalke, the Father of Indian Cinema, in 1917 was the first Indian film based on the epic. Several silent films and sound films were produced based on Ramayana tales. The Hindi film ‘Rama Rajya (1943) produced and directed by Vijay Bhatt is considered as the best Indian film based on the epic. The film was a sequel to the Hindi film ‘Bharat Milap' (1942) produced and directed by him. ‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam' closely followed the story line and the sequences of ‘Bharat Milap'.

‘Bharat Milap' as well as its Tamil dubbed version ‘Bharathan' (1950) was box office hits in Kerala also. The grand success of ‘Seetha' might have prompted P. Subramaniam to make another film on the epic with portions of the story not told in ‘Seetha.'

Both ‘Bharat Milap' and the Tamil film ‘Sampoorna Ramayanam' (1958) focussed on the character of Kaikeyi, step mother of Rama and one who was instrumental in banishing him to the forest. Durga Khote performed the role of Kaikeyi in the Hindi film, while G. Varalakshmi did this role in Tamil. Both of them left an indelible imprint on the audience with their sterling performance.

Almost all the popular stars of the time like Prem Nazir, Prem Navaz, Thikkurissi, G. K. Pillai, Kottarakkara, T. K. Balachandran, Jos Prakash, Miss Kumari, Adoor Pankajam, were part of ‘Sree Rama Pattabhishekam.'

Vasanthi , who had acted in Tamil films like ‘Maadappura' (1962) was cast in the role of Seetha. This was her first Malayalam film. The versatile Kaviyoor Ponnamma also made her film debut in this film. She played the role of Mandodari, the consort of Ravana.

The dialogues written by the noted playwright Nagavalli R. S. Kurup were impressive. Camera by Kannappa, coupled with special effects, brought to the screen flying images, magic arrows, etc. The film was edited by another debutant N. Gopalakrishnan. The dances were choreographed by Thankappan and performed by Padmini Priyadarshini, Sukumari and Shanthi. The music composed by Brother Lakshmanan was based on classical ragas, dispensing with the usual practice of imitating other language film tunes.

One of the scenes in the film won wide appreciation, even from the critics. This showed Ravana trying to justify his actions including the abduction of Seetha. Here the ten heads of Ravana speak, which revealed the imagination and cinematic skill of the director.

The duration of the film, full three hours, was too short to depict the story of Rama, from his birth to his coronation. The director attempted to string in important scenes through song sequences. 

The emotional and dramatic sequences like banishment of Rama to the forest, death of Dasharatha, wedding of Rama, encounter with Parasurama etc. were given prominence. A few scenes, like the parents of Sravan Kumar cursing Dasharatha, were shown as a flashback.

On the whole the film succeeded in showing the main events of the epic quite effectively. The film was a huge hit.

Prem Nazir played Rama, while his real life brother Prem Navaz was Lakshmana. Both of them came up with impressive performances. Thikkurissi as Dasharatha, T. K. Balachandran as Bharatha, G. K. Pillai as Vishwamithra, Jos Prakash as Sumanthra did justice to their characters, while Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair was superb as Ravana. Miss Kumari excelled as Kaikeyi. Adoor Pankajam as Manthara and Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Mandodari impressed. But Vasanthi as Seetha was a flop. Not being very charming and comparing her to others before her who were captivating in the same role were reasons attributed to Vasanthi's failure. 

Comic scenes involving S. P. Pillai also failed to create a ripple of laughter.

There were 12 songs in the film penned by Thirunainarkurichi Madhavan Nair. The tunes composed by Brother Lakshmanan and some of them became big hits.

The romantic number ‘Chollu sakhi chollu sakhi...' (P. Susheela), the dance number ‘Mohini njaan Mohini njaan..' (S. Janaki), a solo ‘Pookkatha kaadukale…' by K. J. Yesudas and a duet by Kamukara Purushotaman and Susheela, ‘Parannu parannu pongum...' were the other popular songs. 

A few verses from the ancient Malayalam poetic work ‘Ramayanam - Irupathinalu Vruttham,' believed to be written by Thunjathu Ezhuthachan, like ‘Mamatharuni Seethe…' (Kamukara) were also included in the film.

Will be remembered: As the debut of Kaviyoor Ponnamma, editor N. Gopalakrishnan and the first Malayalam film of Vasanthi. And as one of the early Malayalam films based on ‘Ramayana'.

Tamil Movies made in Malayalam

Original Tamil	Malayalam Remake
Nalla Thankal 1935	Nalla Thanka 1950
Ethir Parathathu 1954	Nitya Kanyaka 1963 (Remade in Hindi as Sarada - 1957)
Hindi version with Rajkapoor and Meenakumari excelled. Nitya Kanyaka with Ragini and Satyan , was just an average film. The Tamil film with Sivaji and Padmini also was a huge hit at the box office.
Yaar Payyan 1957	Bhagya Mudra 1967
Chitthi 1966	Achante Bharya 1971 (Remade in Hindi as "Aurat" 1967)
The Malayalam version directed by Thikkurissi spoiled the spirit of the film and the story. In Tamil and Hindi, Padmini was the heroine. In Malayalam, her sister Ragini. Adoor Bhasi in Malayalam spoiled the film in the role of the husband of the heroine, whereas in Tamil the corresponding role played by M R Radha remain his best.
Neerkumizhi 1965	Aaradi Manninte Janmi 1972
Kuzhanthaiyum Deivamum 1965	Sethubandhanam 1974 (In Hindi as Do Kaliyan. 1968.)
Malayalam remake was not as successful as the Tamil and Hindi. Jamuna as heroine and G Varalakshmi as the villainous character excelled in their roles. Jayabharqthi and Sukumari in the corresponding roles - just average in the Malayalam remake.
Ponnukku Thanka manassu 1973	Bhoomidevi Pushpini aayi 1974
Miss Mary 1955	Miss Mary 1972 (In Hindi - Miss Mary, In telugu - Missamma)
An all time classic family comedy drama. The Tamil, Telugu as well as the Hindi films considered as classics. The Malayalam attempt could be treated as a mere waste, except for some songs. The music of all the three versions remain timeless. In Hindi Meena Kumari, and in Tamil and Telugu Savithri performed the heroines roles. In Malayalam Jayabharathi.
Ramu 1966	Babumon 1975 (In Hindi - Door Gagan Ki Chaon Mein. 1964. The Hindi film is the original)
Tamil film is considered as the best, a box office hit, with excellent performances by Gemini Ganeshan, K R Vijaya. The Hindi flm with Kishorekumar and Supriya Choudhary failed to attract the audience. Malayalam attempt, may be below average at the box office.
Kalyana Parisu 1959	Sammanam 1975 ( In Hindi as "Nazrana" 1961)
All time classic in Tamil with Gemini Ganeshan, Sarojadevi and Vijayakumari, one of the best of director Sreedhar. Hindi with Rajkapoor, Vyjayanthimala, Usha Kiran was not as successful as the tamil. But the Malayalam remake the worst, Sasikumar's direction or the performance of the artists did not come up to comparatively fair level. The music of Hindi and Tamil became evergreen. Music wise also Malayalam did not come up.
Pettal Thaan Pillaiya 1966	Ashtami Rohini 1975 (Kunwara Baap - 1974 in Hindi.)
The Tamil original the best with MGR and Saroja devi. Hindi with Mehmood and Bharathi also did well at the box office. Malyalam remake just an average, or flop
Thayilla Pillai 1961	Pravaham 1975
The tamil film directed by L V Prasad, a family drama was just an average film with Muthukrishna, M V Rajamma, L Vijayalakshmi etc in the lead roles. The reason for this remake in Malayalam - directed by Sasikumar - might be the good story of the film. But the Malayalam film also could not create waves.
Kuzhanthaikkaka 1968	Omanakunju 1978 ("Nanha Farishta" in Hindi - 1969)
Again a waste film in Malayalam. The Tamil as well as the Hindi with Padmini in the lead role and a child artist did well at the box office.
Pukuntha Veedu 1972	Sindhu 1975
Sabash Meena 1958	Chirikkudukka 1976 (Dil Tera Diwana - 1962 in Hindi)
Tamil film remain the best, with Sivaji and Miss Malini in the lead roles. Music by T G Lingappa remain evergreen. Hindi film with Shammi Kapoor and Mala Sinha also succeeded at the box office. Malayalam film with Nazir and Vidhubala also did well, but not as the tamil or Hindi.
Annai 1962	Amma 1976
Malayalam film -no comparison with the original. The tamil film directed by Krishnan Panju remain one of the best performnces of the verstatile genius of Indian cinema, P Bhanumathi. What a stunning performance - she took the entire film on her shoulders. As a childless woman, even her eyes expresses her mental agony. And as the mother who is reluctant to share the love of her adopted son with the real mother, who happens to be her own sister, she presented a heart melting performance. Showcar Janaki as the real mother also shined. Singing in her own voice, she mesmerised the audience. A Malayalam remake could have been avoided.
Deerghasumangali 1974	Ayiram Janmangal 1976
Suryakanthi 1973	Priyamvada 1976
Panam Panthiyile 1961	Ozhukkinethire 1976
Pennai Nambungal 1973	Kuttavum Sikshayum 1976
Padithal Mattum Podhuma 1962	Kanyadanam 1976
Nenjil Oru Alayam 1962	Hridayam Oru Kshethram 1976 (Dil Ek Mandir - 1963 in Hindi)
Directors Sreedhars classic film produced within very short time. An all time classic in Tamil, Hindi. In Malayalam also the film was a success, a good movie with stunning performance of Sri Vidya. A low budget film in all the languages, hit the box office. The fact that the Hindi and Tamil films had long run in Kerala, did not affect the Malayalam film. In all the languages , musical hit. The performance by Meena Kumari in the Hindi version the best. In Tamil it was Devika (mother of present day actress Kanaka) who performed the role.
Iru Kodukal 1969	Mohavum Muktiyum 1977
One of the best of director K Balachander with Showcar Janaki and Jayanthi in the female lead, this female oriented films remake in Malayalam just flopped at the box office.
Bhagapirivinai 1959	Nirakudam 1977 (Khaandaan in Hindi - 1965)
The film succeeded in all the languages. Tamil with Sivaji and Saroja devi the best. HIndi with Sunil dutt and Nutan also became a huge hit. Kamal Hassan s performance as the crippled young man who loves his elder brother more than his life remain one of the best of the versatile actor.
Pasamalar 1961	Santha Oru Devatha 1977 (Rakhi in Hindi. -1962 )
A mere waste in Malayalam. The Tamil film remain an all time hit with captivating performance of Sivaji, Gemini Ganeshan, Savithri. In Hindi Ashok Kumar, Pradeep Kumar and Wahida Rehman. The film which tells the story of dedicated love between a brother and sister, the Malayalam film failed in presenting the story in an impressive manner with Madhu and K R Vijaya in the lead role.
Karpakam 1963	Vishukkani 1977 ( Rishte Naatey in Hindi. 1965)
Good family drama - super hit in Tamil. With Gemini Ganeshan, K R Vijaya and Savithri in the pivotal roles, a musical hit too with all the songs of the film in the voice of P Suseela. The Malayalam fllm also became a super hit - with good music by Salil Choudhary. Performance wise the Malayalam film lacks behind the Tamil and Hindi films. It could be said that the music was the deciding factor in the success of the Malayalam version. In Hindi Rajkumar, Nutan and Jamuna. Nutan excelled in the role of the heroine. A Malayalam remake worth watching.
Engal Thanka Raja 1973	Ithanente Vazhi 1978
Chila Nerangalil Chila Manitharkal 1976	Chila Nerangalil Chila Manushyar 1977
Kannagi 1942	Kodungallooramma 1979 (Again remade in Tamil as Poompuhar)
In no way can be compared with the tamil original, except for the good music of the Malayalam film. The stunning performance of P Kannamba as Kannagi remains an icon of the heroine of the Tamil epic Chilappathikaram. K R Vijaya, by her looks or acting did not come up with a near comparison with the character. Music saved the film from immersing into obscurity.
Naanum Oru Penn 1963	Hridayathinte Nirangal 1979 (Main Bhi Ladki Hoon - in Hindi - 1964 )
A block buster in Tamil and Hindi. How dare P Subramaniam to produce such a hopeless film in Malayalam with a newcomer as the heroine. The Malayam film flopped. Tamil film with S S Rajendran and Vijayakumari in the lead roles and Hindi film with Dharmendra and Meenakumari in the lead remain classics. The Malayalam film sunk into obscurity.
Alayamani 1962 Oru	Ragam Pala Taalam 1979 ( In Hindi as "Aadmi" 1968)
A Block buster in Tamil and the Hindi remake also became a classic of Dilip Kumar. The Malayalam remake flopped. Music of the Tamil film by Viswanathan Ramamoorthy and of the Hindi by Naushad also remain evergreen to this day. Music of the Malayalam film did not impress.
Mullum Malarum 1978	Venalil Oru Mazha 1979
Super hit Rajnikant movie in Tamil, the Malayalam remake also succeeded with Madhu, Srividya in the lead roles. Music of the Malayalam movie also became super hit, with novel songs like - Ayala porichathundu...
Kai kodutha Deivam 1964	Palunku Paathram 1970 ( I remember very much, Hindi remake also has come. Dont remember now, have to locate)
Malayalam remake under the direction of Thikkurissi sunk without leaving a trace. Tamil film remains a all time hit with good story, good acting and music. Sivaji, Savithri in the lead roles. Touching story of a girl with immature and child like mind and character. Savithri excelled in the role.
Raja Parvai 1981	Nancy 1981
Avargal 1977	Sreeman Sreemathi 1981
The Malayalam remake, though was not that much successful at the box office, it was a good remake in Malayalam. Srividya excelled in her role as the courageous woman who fights agains the injustice towards her by her busband.
Kudiyiruntha Kovil 1968	Dhruvasangamam 1981
Remake of the super hit MGR movie which flopped at the box office
Engiruntho Vanthaal 1970	Amruthavahini 1976 (In Hindi the same year 1970 - Khilauna)
Tamil as well as the Hindi were block busters. And comparatively Hindi was more successful with good performances by Sanjeev Kumar and Mumtaz. In Tamil Sivaji and Jayalalitha. Malayalam flopped.
Ezhai Pedum Paadu 1950	Neethipeetham 1977 (An adaptation of Victor Hugo's novel "Les Miserables"-
And a novel of the same title as the film authored by Sudhananda Bharathi) The Tamil film remains a classic,though it did not create wonders at the box office. Good performance by Nagiah , Padmini etc and melodies by M L Vasanthakumari. The Malayalam film just an average film.
Major Chandrakant 1960	Karthavyam 1982
Good acting by Madhu and Jagathi. But the film failed at the box office.
Paalai Vana cholai 1981	Ithu Njangalude Katha 1982
One of the very successful remakes. The Malayalam remake succeeded like its original. Captivating performances by Suhasini in Tamil and by Santhi Krishna in Malayalam. Probably the best film of Santhi Krishna in Malayalam.
Vidiyum Vare Kaathiru 1981	Saram 1982
Chattam oru Iruttarai 1981	Maattuvin Chattangale 1982
Engal Vadhyar 1980	Guru Dakshina 1983
Nooravathu Naal 1984	Ayiram Kannukal 1986
Successful Malayalam remake of the box office hit of Vijayakant in Tamil. In Malayalam good acting by Mammootty and Shobana. A good suspense thriller in Malayalam.
Savale Samali 1970	Randu Lokam 1977
Unsuccessful remake of the block buster Sivaji-Jayalalitha starrer Tamil film.
Poova Thalaiya 1969	Balapareekshanam 1978
Unsucessful remake of a commercial hit by K Balachander in Tamil. Performance of the action hero Jayashankar and the villainous role performed by the versatile genius and singing star of early tamil cinema, S Varalakshmi was the high point of the tamil movie. In Malayalam Raghavan and Sukumari failed to impress the audience by their corresponding roles.
Bhadrakali 1976	Pichippoo 1978
Galatta Kalyanam 1968	Snehikkan Samayamilla 1978
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam 1955	Nagamatathu Thampuratti 1982 (As Devta in HIndi - 1956)
Malayalam film also succeeded in collecting at the box office. But not like the Tamil original or the Hindi remake. With Anjali Devi, Lalitha and Gemini Ganeshan in the Tamil; and with Anjali Devi, Vyjayanthimala and Gemini Ganeshan in the Hindi, the film was one of the best fantasy tales ever produced in Tamil as well as Hindi. But the Malayalam remake did not rise up to that status. In Tamil as well as the Hindi, the vampish role of Lalitha and Vyjayanthimala respectively was main attraaction of the film. In Malayalam Unni Mary failed to impress the audience by the corresponding role. In Tamil as well as the Hindi, the films were musical hits