It's perhaps logical, and to be expected, that after a popular Tamil film, En Manaivi ( My Wife ) in 1942, another film titled En Kanavar ( My Husband ) came to be made during the same decade! This little known film, produced by Ajith Pictures of Bombay, had noted classical musician, composer, singer, filmmaker and actor S. Balachandar, better known as ‘Veena' Balachandar, as hero.
This film, for which the story was by Chaturbhuj Doshi, was shot in Bombay at the famous Ranjit Studios, Dadar. . V. Sitaraman, associated with Gemini Studios during the 1940s and worked as an assistant under writer, actor and filmmaker ‘Javert' N. Sitaraman, wrote the dialogue. Later he joined the AVM turf when Sitaraman changed camp, going along with him and assisting him on his projects. With his health failing and vision fading, he retired from active life. He passed away some years ago. The female lead was played by Nandini, a pretty face but very little is known about her. Most of the artistes in this film are almost forgotten today, except of course the hero Balachandar who is well known in the music as well as the movie world. This film had music by Balachandar, who also directed it besides supervising the editing and production. In short, En Kanavar was virtually a one-man show by Balachandar. The story, somewhat predictable, was about a rich man's son (Balachandar). His father gets him married to his sister's daughter (Nandini), keeping his promise made to his sister on her deathbed. The young couple is in love, but the marriage does not prove to be all rainbows and moonbeams for the husband who believes in romancing his wife round the clock. The wife, a responsible homemaker, does not find such time, and the frustrated husband falls a willing prey to a lovely dancing girl (Chellam) whose sole mission is to enslave the victim and rob him of his wealth. The neglected, tradition-bound wife is burdened by her father-in-law's death, family responsibilities and the business going to ruin thanks to her husband's waywardness.
The hero is shocked to find that his father has willed that the property would go to him only when he reforms and unites with his wife. Abandoned by his mistress, he becomes mentally shaken and wanders aimlessly. The wife sells the property to meet her husband's debts, and finally has to live in a hut.
However, wisdom dawns on the husband and after many trials and tribulations he learns his lessons and unites with his wife to live happily thereafter.
Balachandar sang many songs, solo and duets, all of them he composed in Carnatic ragas.
Despite Balachandar's genius, En Kanavar did not do well.
Remembered for Balachandar and his many talents.
