As I continue to recall, more names and memories come rushing back. How could I forget Madhumala, a stunning beauty on screen? And the quintessential villain, Pran. His presence on the screen was enough to send shivers down our spines. The sheer menace he brought to his roles was unforgettable.

When I shifted to Chennai, it was the era of the 'Pa' movies—films that began with the Tamil letter 'Pa'. These included Paava Mannippu (you must see Sivaji's incredible acting in the scene where acid is thrown on his face), Paasa Malar, and Paarthaal Pasi Theerum. There might be more that I’ve forgotten. During this time, three heroes dominated Tamil cinema: the legendary trio of MGR, Sivaji Ganesan, and Gemini Ganesan. A continuous stream of great films came out featuring these icons. MGR's films were often moral lessons, Sivaji's roles were filled with emotional depth, and Gemini Ganesan charmed us with his romantic portrayals. How is it that three heroes with such distinctly different styles could coexist and be so popular at the same time?

Then there was Jaishankar, who specialized in thrillers and mysteries. The music world too was having its golden period with M.S. Viswanathan-Ramamurthy’s timeless scores. K.V. Mahadevan was another maestro, continuing to give us hit after hit. Shankar-Ganesh, rising stars in the industry, also produced several memorable songs.

One interesting thing to note: Saroja Devi acted with all the top heroes of her time, possibly even simultaneously. She was truly everywhere! Among the heroines, there were stalwarts like Devika, Vyjayanthimala (who had a stronger presence in Hindi cinema), Vanisri, and of course, Jayalalitha.

Tamil cinema has always been blessed with a wide range of talented comedians. Each had their own unique style, and comedy was an integral part of most films. Thangavelu, Chandrababu, Nagesh (a legend in his own right), M.R. Radha (who could play any role with finesse), Sarangapani, T.R. Ramachandran (who even acted as a hero), Durairaj, Suruli Rajan, and Janagaraj all made their mark. The list of comedic talent is extensive and impressive.

These were also the days when full-length comedy films were being made. Even for a couple of decades later, comedy continued to be a key part of Tamil cinema. It wasn’t just in Tamil—Hindi cinema, too, produced its share of full-length comedies that were pure fun for the entire family. These movies offered laughter, joy, and entertainment, and even now, watching them can bring a hearty laugh and a sense of relaxation.

Where have these comedies gone? What happened to this genre that brought so much happiness to audiences?

Continued in 202. Lights And Sights - Part 4