Tamil film Karnan completes 150 days

Forty-eight years ago, in 1964, Sivaji Ganesan's epic film Karnan, produced and directed B R Panthulu, first released in Tamil.

The film also starred N T Rama Rao, Savithri, and Devika. Sivaji Ganesan played the role of Karna, the most tragic character in the epic Mahabharata. NTR was Lord Krishna and R Muthuraman, Arjuna.

The film was made on a budget of Rs 40 lakh and shot in Jaipur. It was one of the most expensive films made then.

It was released on January 14, 1964, a Pongal release, in 38 screens and was a huge success. It completed 100 days in four theatres.

The film also won the National Award for the Best Feature film in Tamil.

It is one of the most significant films in Sivaji Ganesan's career.

Forty-eight years later, in March 2012, to commemorate B R Panthulu's birth centenary, the digitised version of Karnan was re-released. The producers reportedly spent Rs 40 lakh to restore the film and released it in 50 screens.

The film had a mammoth opening and collected around Rs 2 crore in the first week.

It is a great achievement for the late Sivaji Ganesan that the first Tamil classic to be digitally restored and re-released has completed 150 days!