When over 10,000 people gathered to see MGR- Saroja Devi film shooting in Ooty

UDHAGAMANDALAM: While mourning the demise of legendary South Indian actress B Saroja Devi, Nilgirians fondly recall the filming of the ‘Rajavin Parvai’ song for the Tamil movie ‘Anbe Vaa’ in the Government Botanical Garden (GBG) in 1965. More than 10,000 people gathered at the GBG to witness the filming of the song featuring M G Ramachandran (MGR) and B Saroja Devi.

In his book ‘Misty Memoirs,’ D Thiagarajan writes, “During the shooting of ‘Rajavin Parvai Raniyin Pakkam’ at the Botanical Garden, more than ten thousand people crowded the shooting spot. I have never seen such a large crowd for any film shooting.”

Dharmalingam Venugopal, who also was among the crowd, says, “Among the unforgettable movies filmed in Ooty, ‘Anbe Vaa’ provided a great experience for the local people. The shooting of the famous song ‘Rajavin Parvai’ at the Italian garden in GBG, featuring a grand chariot, artificial mist, and regal costumes, was an out-of-this-world experience for the local audience.”

An old-time film enthusiast recalls a memorable moment during the shooting of the "Naan Parthathile Aval Oruthi Than” song in the same movie. “Despite multiple takes, a hat thrown by MGR did not land on Saroja Devi's head. Ultimately, a director's assistant placed the hat on her head from off-camera. It was great fun to watch the shoot and especially Saroja Devi,” he reminisces.

Saroja Devi frequently visited Ooty for films with legends like MGR, Sivaji Ganesan and NTR.

R A Das recalls “The song ‘Chittukuruvi Mutham Koduthu’ from the 1964 classic ‘Pudhiya Paravi,’ which stars Sivaji Ganesan and Saroja Devi, was filmed near a tribal hamlet close to Ooty. The tree that Saroja Devi leans against while singing the song is still there today.”