Why Tamil Filmmaker SP Muthuraman Decided To Leave AVM Studios

Filmmaker SP Muthuraman is renowned as one of the most successful directors in commercial cinema. His journey in the film industry commenced at AVM Studios, where he began as an Assistant Editor. Through sheer dedication and talent, Muthuraman steadily climbed the ranks, eventually becoming an Associate Director. His rise in the industry was accompanied by a significant turning point involving Director AV Meiyappa Chettyar, the owner of AVM Studios.

Chettyar decided to produce a film based on Chitralaya Gopu’s play, Kasethan Kadavulada, with plans for Chitralaya to direct it. AVM Murugan, Chettyar’s elder son, approached Muthuraman to assist Chitralaya in this venture.

However, Muthuraman was disheartened by this decision because he and Chettyar were of the same age and he possessed more filmmaking experience than Chettyar. In response, Muthuraman made a bold move by leaving AVM Studios and communicated his unwillingness to work as an assistant director to someone younger than him. He also expressed his desire to direct films with other collaborators.

Subsequently, Muthuraman embarked on his directorial journey, helming films like Kashi Yaathirai, Anbu Thangai, Enga Amma Sabatham, and several others. Enga Amma Sabatham, produced by Vijayabaskar Films, marked a significant milestone by celebrating its 49th anniversary on October 4th.

While Enga Amma Sabatham did not resonate strongly with audiences and faced criticism from critics like Kanthan of Kalki magazine, it is remembered for its unique elements. The film notably explored the theme of a woman seeking revenge, a relatively uncharted territory in its time. This was a departure from the conventional revenge narratives led by male protagonists.

Another noteworthy aspect of the film was its screenplay, where a character presumed to be the antagonist ultimately emerged as the hero. Vidhubala portrayed the elder sister, while Jayachitra played the younger sister. R. Muthuraman and Sivakumar essayed the roles of elder and younger brothers, respectively, with all of them falling in love with the characters portrayed by Vidhubala and Jayachitra. The resulting conflicts between the characters provide numerous humorous moments throughout the film.

Some critics viewed the film negatively, primarily due to the portrayal of a mother seeking revenge against her daughters. This departure from the conventional ideals of motherhood, characterized by love and compassion for one’s children, was a point of contention.