Pilot Premnath

Pilot Premnath
பைலட் பிரேம்நாத்

Theatrical release poster
Directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar
Starring Sivaji Ganesan
Malini Fonseka
Thengai Srinivasan
Major Sundararajan
Sridevi
Music by M. S. Viswanathan
Release dates
  • 1978
Country India
Sri Lanka
Language Tamil

Pilot Premnath is a 1978 Indian/Sri Lankan Tamil film directed by A. C. Thirulokachandar, and starring Sivaji Ganesan as the eponymous character. It was an "Indo-Sri Lankan joint-venture" produced by T. M. Menon and M. M. Saleem.[1]

Plot

Pilot Premnath (Sivaji Ganesan) has three children — two sons (Vijayakumar and JaiGanesh) and a blind daughter (Sridevi). He is closely attached to his children, especially his daughter. His wife (Malini) dies in an accident.

The deceased wife continues to live in Premnath's heart, and every time he returns from a flight journey, he goes to their room, and sees her in his mind’s eye. Once while talking about her in the room with his co-pilot (Thengai Srinivasan), he shows him the bundle of her letters. One letter is found, not posted. In it, the wife states that one of the three children was not born to her.

The world around him shatters and it is then he breaks into the song "Who Is The Black Sheep?" The suspense is revealed later. Premnath goes to America for training, leaving his pregnant wife behind. She delivers a stillborn child. Simultaneously, his friend Balu’s (Major Sundararajan) wife gives birth to a blind baby girl and to prevent tragedy in Premnath’s family, Balu substitutes his baby with Premnath’s.

The two sons find sweethearts (Jayachitra and Satyapriya) and the daughter falls in love with a young man (Prem Anand), who saves her from a thief near a shop. All get married and happiness is restored once more in the household.

Cast

Production

Pilot Premnath was entirely shot in Sri Lanka, while post production took place in Chennai.[1]

Music

The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan (assisted by Joseph Krishna), with lyrics written by Vaalee.[1]

Reception

Film historian Randor Guy praised the film for the "interesting storyline, the fine performances of Sivaji Ganesan, Malini Fonseca, Major Sundararajan, Sri Devi and others, the pleasing music, deft direction and impressive cinematography."[1]

References