Ezhai Padum Padu

Ezhai Padum Padu
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	K. Ramnoth
Produced by	Pakshiraja Studios
Written by	Story: Victor Hugo Screenplay: Elangovan
Starring	Chittor V. Nagaiah Javar Seetharaman M. N. Rajam T.S. Balaiya Serukulathur Sama Padmini V. Gopalakrishnan Lalitha T. S. Durairaj Kumari N.Rajam
Music by	S. M. Subbaiah Naidu
Cinematography	N. Prakash
Edited by	Surya
Release date	6 November 1950
Running time	197 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Ezhai Padum Padu (English: Plight of the Poor) is a 1950 Indian Tamil language film directed by K. Ramnoth. It was simultaneously shot in Telugu as Beedala Patlu. It was an adaptation of Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. The film was released on Deepavali day, 1950 and was a hit. For his memorable portrayal of Inspector Javert in this film, N Seetharaman came to be called as Javert Seetharaman. It was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu of Pakshiraja Studios.

Ezhai Padum Padu (lit. Plight of the poor) was produced by S. M. Sriramulu Naidu at Pakshiraja Studios in Coimbatore. K. Ramnoth was hired as the director and Chittor V. Nagaiah was cast as Kandan (based on Jean Valjean). Initially, Nagercoil K. Mahadevan, was cast as the bishop who reforms the thief. But after a few scenes were shot, Sriramulu Naidu replaced him with Serukulathur Sama. Elangovan (Thanigachalam) wrote the script for Ezhai Padum Padu based on Sudhanandha Bharathi's novel of the same name. Sriramulu Naidu was known for his strict schedule. Once when director Ramnoth was absent from the set, one of the actors - V. Gopalakrishnan - left the set thinking that there would be no filming on that day. An incensed Naidu, filmed the scene (a love song sequence) using a female actress (Ragini) dressed up as a man instead of Gopalakrishnan.

Tough and ruthless Police Inspector Javert (Javar Seetharaman) recaptures a small-time criminal Kandhan (Chittor V. Nagaiah) who has escaped from prison. Kandhan turns a new leaf with the help of a Christian Bishop (Serukulathur Sama). When he is released from prison he starts a glass making company. He changes his identity and becomes successful. He becomes the mayor of his town. Inspector Javert finds out about his new life and threatens to expose him. On one occasion Kandhan saves Javert's life. Javert commits suicide unable to turn Kandhan in to the authorities out of his sense of gratitude.