Shanti Nilayam is a 1969 Indian Tamil-language musical drama film, directed by G. S. Mani in his debut. The film stars Gemini Ganesan and Kanchana, with Nagesh, Vijaya Lalitha, Pandari Bai, K. Balaji and V. S. Raghavan in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1965 American film The Sound of Music and also adapts from the 1847 novel Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. The film was released on 23 May 1969, and ran for over 100 days in theatres. Marcus Bartley won the National Film Award for Best Cinematography, and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer. The film was remade in Telugu under the same title in 1972.
Theatrical release poster
Ramasamy Ganesan, better known by his stage name Gemini Ganesan, was an Indian actor who worked mainly in Tamil cinema. He was referred to as the Kaadhal Mannan for his romantic roles in films. Ganesan was one of the "three biggest names of Tamil cinema", the other two being M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan. While Sivaji Ganesan excelled in dramatic films and M. G. Ramachandran was popular as an action hero, Gemini Ganesan was known for his romantic films. A recipient of the Padma Shri in 1971, he had also won several other awards including the Kalaimamani, the MGR Gold Medal, and the Screen Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of the few college graduates to enter the film industry then.
Ganesan in 1950
Gemini Ganesan seen in a movie
Gemini Ganesan 2006 stamp of India