Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna? () is a 1976 Indian Tamil-language satirical film written and directed by Cho Ramaswamy. It is based on his stage play of the same name. Cho also stars, alongside R. Muthuraman, Padmapriya and S. A. Ashokan. The film revolves around a priest's efforts to save a young man from conviction for murder. It was released on 30 April 1976.
Plot
A priest takes all possible steps to save a young man from conviction for a murder he committed to save a married woman from a womaniser. The priest stands up to his call as a minister of God and keeps to himself what the accused told him in private confession. He even hides that man from the police until he collects the necessary evidence to disclose the circumstances that led to the murder. He succeeds in his endeavour, risking his reputation, even his job and eventually his life.
Cast
Male cast
R. Muthuraman as Arumainayagam
S. A. Ashokan as Arokiasamy
Srikanth
Vijayakumar
Cho Ramaswamy as Sathyanarayana
Guest appearances
V. K. Ramasamy
Thengai Srinivasan
Female cast
Padmapriya as Rama
Sakunthala
Manorama as a journalist
Sukumari
Shobana
Baby Indira
Santhi
Halam as a dancer
Supporting cast
Neelu
Heron Ramasamy
Jayachandran
Production
Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna? was a popular play staged by Cho Ramaswamy through his Viveka Fine Arts Club. The play, which also starred Neelu, was critically acclaimed, and Cho adapted it into a film under the same name, serving as director, writer and even as actor. The film adaptation was produced by D.A.B. and Rana under Mohind Movies. Cinematography was handled by Sampath, and the editing by E. V. Shanmugham. The film was shot at Bangalore. Its final length was .
Themes
According to the 1983 book Cinema as Medium of Communication in Tamil Nadu by C. R. W. David, the point of Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna? is to illustrate that "Movies have sharpened God-consciousness by emphasizing the neighbour-consciousness."
Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.
Release and reception
Unmaiye Un Vilai Enna? was released on 30 April 1976. Kanthan of Kalki lauded the film, particularly for Muthuraman's performance and Cho's writing.