Thayilla Pillai(1961)
Thayilla Pillai (transl. The Motherless Child) is a 1961 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and co-produced by L. V. Prasad. The film stars T. S. Balaiah and M. V. Rajamma in lead roles, with a supporting cast including Kalyan Kumar, R. S. Manohar, and L. Vijayalakshmi. The story follows a conservative Brahmin couple whose lives are upended when the wife secretly adopts a low-caste orphaned baby at the same time she gives birth to her own son. The film criticizes the caste system and superstitious beliefs through the character of the orthodox husband. Written by M. Karunanidhi from a story by S. R. Pinisetty, the film was a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres. It was released on 18 August 1961 and distributed by Gemini Studios.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1961
- Director
- L. V. Prasad
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 53m 0
Storyline
A strict Brahmin husband severs ties with his modern brother-in-law. His pregnant wife secretly seeks medical help and gives birth to a son. At the same time, a low-caste woman dies in childbirth, and the wife adopts the orphaned baby. The husband cannot tell the babies apart, leading to a lifetime of confusion and heartbreak.
“A mother's love knows no caste”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Thayilla Pillai
Cast reunions in this film: Nagesh & K. V. Mahadevan (37 films together), Nagesh & R. S. Manohar (16 films together), Nagesh & Senthamarai (9 films together), K. V. Mahadevan & R. S. Manohar (8 films together), Nagesh & L. Vijayalakshmi (7 films together), and Nagesh & T. S. Balaiah (7 films together).
