Penn (film)

Rani (Vyjayanthimala), a brave and outspoken feminist, lives in Bangalore with her open-minded father, a colonel, and her conservative mother, who disapproves of Rani's friendship with a mixed-caste girl named Kanmani (Anjali Devi). She is deeply protective of her best friend Kanmani, who is shy and modest, a polar opposite of Rani in many ways. Kanmani lives with her single father Ramanathan Pillai (Nagayya), who faces social trouble for having married a woman of lower caste, Kanmani's deceased mother Annapurani. This stigma also makes it hard for him to find a suitor for Kanmani. He mourns the loss of his wife, who has promised her brother Sundaram (Sahasranamam) Kanmani's hand in marriage. Ramanathan is also distressed as his attempts at finding Sundaram's whereabouts all resulted in failure.

Raja (Gemini ganesan), a forward-thinker is introduced along with his carefree and cheerful friend Raghu (Balachander). Raja's father, Sarangapani Pillai (Sarangapani) is an hateful misogynist, who spreads his regressive mindset to the men around him.

Raja and Raghu then set off for medical college together. By chance, they meet Rani and Kanmani while driving one day, down a country road. Raja instantly falls for Kanmani's looks. The pair meet again at a park. By now, Raja had completely grown fond of Kanmani while Raghu likes Rani. Around this time, Rani leaves for Colombo to take part in International sports championships, where she wins at almost every competition but unfortunately fractures her leg in the cycle race. She is adviced bed rest for a few months to aid her recovery. On learning of this news, a distressed Kanmani injures herself, toppling down the stairs, but Raja arrives in time to help her. Kanmani eventually reciprocates the love and they marry without the knowledge of Raja's parents.

Meanwhile, Sundaram, who was away in Burma working for the cause of India's independence, returns to his native wishing to marry Kanmani. He is disheartened upon learning of her marriage but stays as a guest for few days at Kanmani's place. At the same time, Raja's parents learn of his marriage through a vengeful old man, who was previously rejected as Kanmani's suitor. A furious Sarangapani writes demanding Raja's return. Upon his arrival, Raja is persuaded by his parents to abandon Kanmani and marry a woman of their choosing. He rejects all pleas and returns to find Kanmani tending Sundaram in the bedroom. He falsely suspets Kanmani of infidelity. Enraged, he leaves for his parents' place and agrees to an arranged marriage.

The proposal reaches Rani's father. Unaware of his previous marriage, Rani consents to marry Raja. Kanmani is happy for her best friend as she is unaware that her husband is the groom. Devastated upon learning the truth, she tries to end her own life. Raghu intervenes at the right time and makes sure she gets prescribed the wrong pills. He reaches the wedding venue and makes everyone aware of Raja's prior marriage to Kanmani. A furious Rani then confronts Raja. Sundaram too joins and clarifies the misunderstanding. Raja then realizes his mistake and seeks Kanmani's forgiveness, which she gives happily. Saragapani, finally abandons his prejudices and dismissed the ideas fed to him by the malicious old man. He accepts Kanmani into the family, while Rani agrees to marry Raghu. The films ends with Sarangapani, now singing about the glory of women, and the couples' happy union.

Penn was produced by A. V. Meiyappan, the founder of AVM Productions. It was simultaneously shot in Hindi as Ladki and in Telugu as Sangham.^[1] Vyjayanthimala appeared as the female lead in all three versions.^[2] Gemini Ganesan was cast after Meiyappan was impressed with his performance in Thai Ullam (1952).^[3]

The music was composed by R. Sudarsanam. The song Kalyaanam Kalyaanam....... Ullaasamaagave Ulagaththil Vaazhave sung by J. P. Chandrababu for S. Balachander became an instant hit and is broadcast by many television channels to date.^[4] It was remixed by Sundar C. Babu for Thoonga Nagaram (2011).^[5]