| Uthama Puthiran | |
|---|---|
&sq=&lang=&file=File:Uthama_Puthiran_1958.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | T. Prakash Rao |
| Screenplay by | C. V. Sridhar |
| Based on | Uthama Puthiran (1940) |
| Produced by | S. Krishnamoorthy C. V. Sridhar T. Govindarajan |
| Starring | Sivaji Ganesan Padmini |
| Cinematography | A. Vincent |
| Edited by | N. M. Shankar |
| Music by | G. Ramanathan |
Production company | Venus Pictures |
| Distributed by | Sivaji Films |
Release date |
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Running time | 157 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Uthama Puthiran (transl. Virtuous Son) is a 1958 Indian Tamil-language historical action film directed by T. Prakash Rao. Co-produced by C. V. Sridhar, who also wrote the screenplay, the film stars Sivaji Ganesan and Padmini, with M. K. Radha, M. N. Nambiar, K. A. Thangavelu, Ragini and Kannamba in supporting roles. It revolves around twins who are separated at birth; one grows up as a kind and honest man, while the other grows up as a greedy and arrogant man.
Uthama Puthiran is a remake of the 1940 Tamil film of the same name, itself based on The Man in the Iron Mask, the third part of the 1847–1850 novel The Vicomte of Bragelonne: Ten Years Later by Alexandre Dumas. It is the first film to feature Ganesan in two distinct roles, and the first Indian film to have the shots with zoom technique. Cinematography was handled by A. Vincent, and editing by N. M. Shankar.
Uthama Puthiran was released on 7 February 1958, and distributed by Ganesan's company Sivaji Films. The film became a major commercial success, with a theatrical run of over 100 days, and established Ganesan as one of the most bankable stars in Tamil cinema.