THE SANDOW AND THE SUPERSTARS

“If Aradhana had flopped will you ask me to reduce my salary? , No , Devar Ji , I will do the film in the salary we spoke , you even madefull payment even before we started and showed your faith in me “ was“Superstar” Rajesh Khanna’s reply to Sandow M.M.A.Chinnappa Devar  recalled R.Thyagarajan the son in law ofDevar. The picture Haathi Mere Saathi came about in early 1969 as Devar , whowas making a few small budget films without his usual “superstar” MGR , wantedto make a big film . MGR was busy with his political activity and could notaccommodate dates. Director Sridhar, his neighbor and close friend suggested toDevar  to make a Hindi Film.

Devar had earlier made a film “Deiva Cheyal” – theprotagonist was a middle aged man who is helped by an elephant. This wasreworked making the protagonist young and the first half had romance and actionwhile the second half had its fair share of sentiment. Devar went to Bombay andnarrated the script to Sanjiv Kumar , who immediately said that he may not besuitable for the first half of the film and suggested the name of a rising star– Rajesh Khanna. Upon hearing the script Rajesh who was shooting Aradhanaimmediately agreed and recommended two young boys to assist Devar in the script– Salim -Javed. Aradhana was a super hit and Rajesh Khanna’s salary hadquadrupled , this prompted Devar to go back to Bombay and ask him if he wantedmore money. Devar is said to have made the classic remark in his characteristicbroken English to Rajesh Khanna as he handed over the entire amount – “Rate you– Date me” – meaning I have paid what you asked , now give me the dates that Iwant.

The shooting commenced in Vauhini Studios in early 1970 andthe outdoor portion was shot in Ooty. The film was Directed by M.A.Thirumugam ,Devar’s younger brother , a competent Director/Editor. They released the film in26 Theatres in Delhi and its suburbs. The competition was “Maryada” with RajKumar and Rajesh Khanna. The results of the first few days was not encouragingand Devar was disappointed. Rajesh Khanna rang him up and told him not to losehope and to come to Delhi via a few towns . By the time the group from Madrasreached Delhi , the film had become a box office hit. Rajesh Khanna sent Devara Telegram that said “Your and Our Lord Muruga has not let us down”. RajeshKhanna and Shakthi Samantha formed a company called Sakthi Raj films , boughtand released the film in Bombay  wheretoo , like the rest of India the film was a top grosser.

Devar had booked Shankar Jaikishen to do the Music forHaathi Mere Saathi. Director Sridhar adviced him to approach LaxmikanthPyarelal as they were more suited to Devar’s quick style of functioning. Whenhe approached they said they were too busy. During the meeting he recalled themention of a “Party” and when he enquired he was told it was the first birthdayof Laxmikanth ‘s child. He quickly went to Jewellery shop and purchased severalGold coins and uninvited went to the party. No one knew who the Dhoti cladsimple man was , when he proceeded to shower the child with Gold.  Mrs.Laxmikanth enquired and told herhusband  “You compose Music for all thosewho come home and drink at your expense and refuse the Man who showers ourChild with Gold “? Needless to say the stratagem worked and the song “Chal ChalChal mere Haathi” reverberated all across India – Composed by LaxmikanthPyarelal.  Mr.A.V.M.Saravanan recallsthat Devar made it a practice to pay all money in 10 Rs notes – the logic was –“ it will appear as if I am giving a lot of money. “                                                         

Marudur Marudachalamurthy Ayyavoo Chinnappa Devar was bornon the 28^th of June 1915. His father was an agriculturist. Devar stoppedwith his 5^th Standard and started to work. He was told that unlesshe had a good physique he could not enter the film world. To that end heproceeded to master the various forms of fighting and also improve hisphysique. He and his brother first acted in the 1940 film “Thilottama” ,actually it was a fight sequence where only their Shadows were filmed fighting.Devar earned the title “Sandow” because of his well developed Body and skillsin the Martial Arts.

He had started playing various small roles in the films shotin Coimbatore and in 1947 while acting in the film “Rajakumari” a deep andabiding friendship developed with the hero MGR. As a hero MGR too recommendedDevar in all the films he worked. This went on till the mid 1950s when Devarstarted a Production company in Partnership with A.P.Nagarajan and two others.The film just about broke even and they all parted ways. Devar then asked his friendMGR , who readily agreed and they made “Thaikkupin Thaaram” in 1956. The filmwas a success and Devar was launched as a film maker. He had a policy ofMuhurat shoot on a New Moon day ( Amavasya) and the picture will be released bythe 3^rd Amavasya. MGR had become busy with his own production“Nadodi Mannan” and Devar was forced to make a few small pictures. 

Then in 1960he started to record the music for his film “Thaai Sollai Thattadhe” where he castAshokan as the hero. When the recording was over he felt a hand pressing him onhis shoulder , he turned and it was MGR . He heard the songs recorded and thenasked for the story to be narrated. MGR then asked Devar to come to his housewhere in front of MGR’s mother’s picture he made a promise that he will adhereto all of Devar’s conditions and in return Devar should make films only withhim. This “agreement” led to Devar making 16 films with him , the last beingNalla Neram in 1972 , the Tamil remake of “Haathi Mere Saathi”.

Devar had a penchant for using Animals in his films fromSnakes to Goats to Elephants he used them. The elephants for Haathi Mere saathiwere taken from the Great Oriental Circus and he housed them in a  2 ½ acre plot of land on Arcot Road. This usedto belong to M G R and later to Venus Pictures. Later The Kothandapani AudioStudio was built by the singer S.P.Balasubramaniam on part of this plot.

“Devar was an ardent devotee of Lord Muruga . He used todonate 1 out of 5 Rs Profit to a Murugan Temple .The road to Marudamalai , ThePrakhaaram at Thiruchendur and the main Hall in Vadapalani Temple are all hiscontribution. While Shooting if he wanted the Sun he will shout at the heavensand ask his Murugan to send the Sun out , for him everything was Murugan“recalls Film Producer A.V.M.Saravanan. Director SP.Muthuraman recalls visitinghis set in Vauhini Studios when they were shooting the film “Muruhan Adimai”.They had lined up a complex shot of a Peacock , a Bird that just cannot betrained , flying through a series of Doors and reaching the idol of Lord Murugain the sanctum sanctorum. Everyone was wondering if this would ever happen whenDevar stood up Prayed to Lord Muruga and said – You make it happen , I don’tcare ….and asked for the Cameras to roll and the peacock to be released. Thepeacock flew beautifully through the four or five doors and landed at the feetof the Idol . all of us were totally amazes not just at this but at theimplicit faith Devar had in God.

In his later years with MGR getting more and more intoactive politics , Devar started to make films in the Socio –mythological Genre.They were films set in modern times with the Central  theme that faith and belief in God will solveone’s problems. When The Paramacharya of Kanchi heard about Devar and the filmspromoting theism like “Thunaivan” , he sent word to Devar  wanting to meet him. Devar was hesitant as hewas shooting with MGR. When MGR heard about this he told Devar to immediatelygo and seek the blessings of the Sage and that he will personally supervise theShooting of the next few days. Devar and his family rushed to Kalavai where theParamacharya was camping. He blessed Devar and told him not to worry as LordMuruga was the watchman in his house and the sage added “if possible put in agood word about me to him”. Devar broke down on hearing this from theParamacharya .

When The Paramacharya of Kanchi heard about Devar and the films promoting theism like “Thunaivan” , he sent word to Devar  through Mr.Lakshmana Iyer of Ananda Pictures wanting to meet him. Devar was hesitant as he was shooting with MGR. When MGR heard about this he told Devar to immediately go and seek the blessings of the Sage and that he will personally supervise the Shooting of the next few days. Devar and his family rushed to Kalavai where the Paramacharya was camping. He blessed Devar and told him not to worry as Lord Muruga was the watchman in his house and the sage added “if possible put in a good word about me to him”. Devar broke down on hearing this from the Paramacharya .

One day after performing the Kandha Sashti Pooja inThiruchendur, Devar told those around him that he has been doing this for 12Years and the next year they will all have to carry on the tradition. Thosearound him were taken aback and pooh poohed these remarks. Devar used to saythat he will pass away on a “sashti” ( 6^th day of the Moon) when theStar was Vishaka , considered to be very auspicious for Muruga , in fact heused to say if it were any other date he will go up and beat Muruga. As hedesired he passed away on the 8 th of September 1978 – It was Vishaka and itwas a Sashti.