Nalla Neram (Tamil: நல்ல நேரம், “Good Time”) is a 1972 Indian Tamil‑language film. The movie was directed by K. Shankar and produced by M. Natarajan under the banner Sathya Movies. It was released on 19 January 1972.
Principal cast
| Actor/Actress | Role |
|---|---|
| M. G. Ramachandran (MGR) | Dr. Raju |
| K. R. Vijaya | Rani |
| S. A. Ashokan | Baba |
| V. K. Ramasamy | Raju’s father |
| Manorama | Rani’s friend |
Crew
- Director: K. Shankar
- Producer: M. Natarajan
- Screenplay: M. S. Viswanathan (dialogues)
- Music: M. S. Viswanathan
- Cinematography: V. Ramamurthy
- Editing: B. Kandasamy
Synopsis
The film follows Dr. Raju (MGR), a compassionate physician who returns to his native village to provide medical care amidst social and economic challenges. He confronts local power‑brokers, navigates familial responsibilities, and fosters a romantic relationship with Rani (K. R. Vijaya). Themes include public health, rural upliftment, and moral integrity.
Production and release
Principal photography was conducted primarily in and around Chennai (then Madras) and surrounding rural locations. The soundtrack, composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan, was popular upon release, featuring songs such as “Siru Kadhai” and “Vannakku Vannam”.
Reception
Contemporary reviews in Indian newspapers praised MGR’s performance and the film’s emphasis on social welfare, though some critics noted a conventional narrative structure. The film achieved moderate commercial success and is remembered for its contribution to MGR’s oeuvre of socially oriented roles.
Legacy
"Nalla Neram" is cited in discussions of Tamil cinema’s engagement with public health narratives during the early 1970s. It is also referenced in retrospectives of M. G. Ramachandran’s filmography as an example of his “doctor‑hero” archetype.
Note: The information presented reflects documented sources from film archives and contemporary Indian press; where specific details (e.g., box‑office figures) are not publicly recorded, the entry does not conjecture beyond the verified data.
