Menaka (1935 film)
Menaka is a 1935 Tamil drama directed by P. K. Rajasandow and produced by Sri Shanmuganandha Talkie Company. It stars T. K. Shanmugam and T. K. Bhagavathi, with N. S. Krishnan in his film debut, along with S. V. Sahasranamam, K. R. Ramasamy and T. K. Muthusamy in supporting roles. The story, based on the stage play Menaka (itself adapted from a novel by Vaduvoor K. Duraiswamy Iyengar), follows two lovers separated by envious schemers and reunited after much hardship. The screenplay was written by Kandhasamy Mudaliar.
The film released on 6 April 1935 in Tamil. It was a box-office success and helped start a trend of social-themed Tamil films. The project was produced by M. Somasundaram and S. K. Mohideen, who bought the rights for ₹16,000; the stage play was staged by the TKS Brothers.
During production, T. K. Muthusamy played Perundhevi, a widow who had to shave her head for the role. N. S. Krishnan, who played a comic negative role in the stage play, reprised it in the film, marking his acting debut. He initially hesitated to be tied to an actress in a scene, joking that only his wife should touch him; the director appreciated the humor and befriended him.
Filming took place entirely at Ranjith Studios in Bombay and lasted about three months, costing ₹80,000. The film won an award from the Government of the Madras Presidency. Menaka was later remade in 1955 by V. C. Subbaraman, with K. R. Ramasamy in a leading role; the remake did not match the original’s success.
Menaka was the first Tamil film to adapt a novel into a feature film, and its success helped trigger a wave of social-themed Tamil cinema. It also made N. S. Krishnan a popular comedian.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 22:12 (CET).