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Kaavalkaaran official poster

Kaavalkaaran(1967)

7.5/10
Tamil•177 mins•theatrical•

Kaavalkaaran is a 1967 Indian Tamil-language spy action film directed by P. Neelakantan and produced by R. M. Veerappan. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and Jayalalithaa in lead roles. It follows Mani, a driver who secretly protects a wealthy family while uncovering hidden crimes. The film blends romance, mystery, and action. It won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film and was a major commercial success. Kaavalkaaran was released on 7 September 1967.

Mood:
emotionaldarksuspenseful
IMDbTMDBRotten TomatoesWikidata
Where to watch:
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Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
7 September 1967
Director
P. Neelakantan
Language
Tamil
Runtime
2h 57m
Rating
7.5/10

Storyline

Mani works as a driver for a billionaire. He falls in love with the billionaire's daughter and marries her. But Mani hides a secret mission to protect his brother and expose the family's hidden dangers. His past and true identity threaten everything.

“The driver who was more than a man”

Film Details

7.5Rating
177Minutes
TamilLanguage
UCertificate
Release Date7 September 1967
Release Typetheatrical
Also Known AsKavalkaran

Parental Guide

Violence
Low
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Low

Vibe & Tags

Mood
emotionaldarksuspenseful
Themes
lovefamilycorruptionrevenge
Toneserious
Pacingslow-burn
Complexitymoderate
Audiencemass
Best Withfamily
Violence2
Emotion4
Humor1
Rewatchability3

Cast & Crew

#1
M. G. Ramachandran, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
M. G. RamachandranMani
→#2
Jayalalitha, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
JayalalithaSusheela
→#3
Nagesh, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
NageshActor
→#4
V. K. Ramasamy, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
V. K. RamasamyVaidyalingam
→
#5
B
B. Saroja DeviActor
→
#6
R. S. Manohar, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
R. S. ManoharActor
→
#7
S
S. A. AsokanActor
→
#8
J
Jayalalithaa JSusheela
→
#9
M. N. Nambiar, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
M. N. NambiarMarudachalam
→#10
Sivakumar, Actor in Kaavalkaaran
SivakumarChandra
→#11
P
P. NeelakantanDirector
→#12
S
Satya MoviesProducer
→
#13
R
R. M. VeerappanCrew
→

Reunion Meter

Frequent partnerships reunited for Kaavalkaaran

Cast reunions in this film: Nagesh & M. S. Viswanathan (108 films together), M. N. Nambiar & M. S. Viswanathan (46 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Jayalalitha (46 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & V. K. Ramasamy (40 films together), M. N. Nambiar & M. G. Ramachandran (37 films together), and M. S. Viswanathan & M. G. Ramachandran (37 films together).

Nagesh
NageshActor
108th time
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
Nagesh × M. S. Viswanathan — 108 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
46th time
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
M. N. Nambiar × M. S. Viswanathan — 46 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
46th time
Jayalalitha
JayalalithaActor
M. S. Viswanathan × Jayalalitha — 46 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
40th time
V. K. Ramasamy
V. K. RamasamyActor
M. S. Viswanathan × V. K. Ramasamy — 40 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
37th time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
M. N. Nambiar × M. G. Ramachandran — 37 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
37th time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
M. S. Viswanathan × M. G. Ramachandran — 37 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
27th time
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
Nagesh × M. N. Nambiar — 27 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
26th time
Sivakumar
SivakumarActor
M. S. Viswanathan × Sivakumar — 26 films together →
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
26th time
Jayalalitha
JayalalithaActor
M. G. Ramachandran × Jayalalitha — 26 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
25th time
Jayalalitha
JayalalithaActor
Nagesh × Jayalalitha — 25 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
24th time
V. K. Ramasamy
V. K. RamasamyActor
Nagesh × V. K. Ramasamy — 24 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
24th time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
Nagesh × M. G. Ramachandran — 24 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
20th time
R. S. Manohar
R. S. ManoharActor
M. S. Viswanathan × R. S. Manohar — 20 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
16th time
R. S. Manohar
R. S. ManoharActor
Nagesh × R. S. Manohar — 16 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
16th time
V. K. Ramasamy
V. K. RamasamyActor
M. N. Nambiar × V. K. Ramasamy — 16 films together →
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
16th time
P
P. NeelakantanDirector
M. G. Ramachandran × P. Neelakantan — 16 films together →
Nagesh
NageshActor
14th time
Sivakumar
SivakumarActor
Nagesh × Sivakumar — 14 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
13th time
Jayalalitha
JayalalithaActor
M. N. Nambiar × Jayalalitha — 13 films together →
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
13th time
R. S. Manohar
R. S. ManoharActor
M. G. Ramachandran × R. S. Manohar — 13 films together →
M. S. Viswanathan
M. S. ViswanathanMusic Composer
10th time
P
P. NeelakantanDirector
M. S. Viswanathan × P. Neelakantan — 10 films together →

Trivia

  • The film's title 'Kaavalkaaran' translates to 'Guardian' in English, reflecting the driver's protective role.
  • It was one of the earliest Tamil films to feature the popular actor M.G. Ramachandran (MGR) in a dual role, playing both the hero and his look-alike.
  • The movie was partly shot in the famous Gemini Studios in Chennai, a major production hub of that era.
  • A notable song from the film, 'Aayiram Thamarai', was composed by M.S. Viswanathan and became a hit.
  • The film's conflict between a driver and a wealthy businessman mirrored common social themes in 1960s Tamil cinema.
  • It was released during a period when MGR's films often carried strong political undertones, though this one focused more on family drama.
  • The director, P. Neelakantan, was known for his successful collaborations with MGR in several social dramas.

Frequently Asked Questions