The 1965 Tamil classic ‘Thiruvilayadal’, directed by A.P. Nagarajan and starring Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan, is set to return to theatres in a digitally restored version with enhanced picture and sound quality.
Based on episodes from the ‘Thiruvilayadal Puranam’, the film portrays the divine acts of Lord Shiva and remains one of Tamil cinema’s celebrated classics. The film features an ensemble cast, including Savitri, K.B. Sundarambal, T.S. Balaiah, R. Muthuraman, Nagesh, Devika, Manorama, Balaji and T.R. Mahalingam.
A trailer launch event for the digitally restored version was held at Casino Theatre in Chennai on October 1, coinciding with Sivaji Ganesan’s 99th birth anniversary. A.N. Paramasivam, son of the film’s producer and director A.P. Nagarajan, actor-producer Chitra Lakshmanan, actors Y.G. Mahendran and Ilavarasu, actress Vadivukkarasi, actor-director Annadurai Kannadasan, writer-director Boopathy Raja and scholar Maruthu Mohan were among those who attended the event.
The guests shared their memories of the film and recalled the contributions of A.P. Nagarajan, Sivaji Ganesan and the rest of the cast and crew. The film’s music, composed by K.V. Mahadevan, with lyrics by Kannadasan, remains one of its enduring highlights.
The restoration aims to bring the landmark film back to the big screen for longtime admirers while introducing it to younger audiences. Sri Bal Vinayagar Pictures is handling the re-release, with G. Latha as the re-release producer.