73 Years Of Marmayogi: This MGR-starrer Was The 1st A-rated Tamil Film

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The officials of CBFC decided to give the film an A certificate because it featured a ghost as the pivotal character.

MG Ramachandaran-starrer Marmayogi completed 73 years on February 2, 2024. The movie enlisted its name in history as the first adult Tamil movie. It was directed by K Ramnoth and starred MG Ramachandran, Anjali Devi and Madhuri Devi in lead roles. The A certificate of the movie was the product of strict rules and regulations of the Central Board of Film Certification ( CBFC) during that time. The officials of CBFC decided to give the film an A certificate because it featured a ghost as the pivotal character. Despite the restricted audience, the movie was a hit at the box office. The makers remade the film in Telugu language with the same name in 1964. The film was produced under the banner of Jupiter Pictures.

Marmayogi’s story revolves around a queen who kills the king, after throwing him in the water. She later kills his sons and assumes power in the kingdom. As the year rolls by, the queen meets with a sage and his son, who further counsels her about the administration of the kingdom. A man named Karikalan (played by MGR) becomes a leader of local people and helps them in fighting against the queen’s tyranny. Simultaneously, the queen is haunted by a ghost who warns her of the punishment which lies ahead due to her misdeeds. As Karikalan gains a sizable following, the queen orders his killing and sends a spy. In the end, due to the constant appearance of the ghost in her life, she admits to the killing of the king. Later, it is revealed that there was no ghost but it was the king himself who impersonated himself as a sage and Karikalan was his son. The unexpected twist made this movie a blockbuster at the box office.

Despite all the characters in the story, the movie revolved around MGR’s heroic image. MGR played the role of Karikalan, while Anjali Devi played the role of the queen. Sahasranamam played Virangan and Madhuri Devi played Kalavathi. Serukalathur Sama played the role of the king, Marmayogi. The film was originally titled Karikalan, but it was changed as the name was resembling the Chola King Karikala.