Vigathakumaran (The Lost Child) is a 1928 Indian silent film written by J. C. Daniel ,Directed by J. C. Daniel , Produced by J. C. Daniel, who also played the hero in the film. It is the first Malayalam feature film.
Plot: Chandrakumar, son of a rich man in Trivandrum is kidnapped by the villain Bhoothanathan to Ceylon. The efforts of his parents to find him do not succeed and Chandrakumar is brought up as a labourer in an estate. The estate owner, who is British, takes a liking to him and in time, Chandrakumar rises to the post of Superintendent. At this time Jayachandran, a distant relative of Chandrakumar happens to come to Ceylon. Incidentally, he is robbed of all his belongings by Bhoothanathan. Stranded, he gets acquainted with Chandrakumar and they become close friends. They come to Thiruvananthapuram where Chandrakumar's sister falls in love with Jayachandran. Meanwhile Bhoothanathan attempts to kidnap her and the duo's timely intervention saves her. A scar on the back reveals Chandrakumar's identity which eventually leads to the happy reunion of the family.
Cast J. C. Daniel as Jayachandran P K Rosy as Sarojam Johnson as Bhoothanathan Sunder Raj as Chandrakumar
Casting and filming
In 1926, Daniel established the first film studio in Kerala named The Travancore National Pictures. It was near the present Public Service Commission office, Pattom, Trivandrum. He made money for the purpose by selling a piece of land in his name for 4 lakh British Indian Rupees. With all set, he started production works of the film of his dreams. He wrote the script and titled it Vigathakumaran (literally translated as The Lost Child). He directed and wielded the camera for the film, which was mute. He was also the pratogonist in the film. He also did most of the post production work including editing. The theme of the film was of social significance and was one of the early films in that genre. Most of the Indian films at that time were based on stories from the puranas and films with social themes were scarse.
The first Malayalam actress was a scheduled caste labourer named P.K.Rosie from a place called Thayycaud near Trivandrum. She used to come with lunch to act in the movie and go for her work in the evening. Daniel had earlier signed an actress from Bombay named Lana to act in the heroine role. Due to some reasons, she left the film and Daniel was forced to sign an inexperienced actress like Rosie in his film. Another important role was played by Johnson, who is the father of actress B. S. Saroja. Daniel's friend Sundar Raj also acted in a pivotal role in the film.
Release and post-release events
Vigathakumaran was exhibited in Trivandrum at the Capitol Theatre on 7 November 1928. The theatre was located opposite the present day AG's office near the present day State Legislature Building in the centre of Thiruvananthapuram city. The screening was inaugurated by Adv. Malloor Govinda Pillai. Since it was a silent movie, there was an announcer at the theatre who would explain the story and the situation. Despite being the first film made in Kerala and the social significance of the film, it faced wrath of certain orthodox groups in Kerala, due to the presence of a woman in the film. At that time acting in films were considered as an act at par with prostitution. It was a period when female roles in even theatre were played by males.When vigathakumaran was released at capitol cinema in thiruvananthapuram,she was not allowed into the theatre as caste hindus,outraged that a converted dalit could play a nair lady in the filim, created a ruckus. During the screening, stones were pelt on the screen, damaging it. The movie was also exhibited in Alleppey at the Star Theatre. Alleppey being one of the most important port towns in Kerala during that time, the audience were more liberal. They received the movie with exhilaration. There was a minor glitch when the screen faded and the audience booed. The announcer explained that since this is the first Malayalam film, there will be some minor problems and the audience received the statement with applause. It is said that J.C.Daniel himself came to Alleppey with the film box, since there was only one print. The film was also screened at Quilon, Trichur, Tellichery and Nagercoil. The film did only a moderate business at the box office and the collections were way less than the expenditure.
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