| Director: | Sundar Rao Nadkarni |
| Screenplay: | Sundar Rao Nadkarni Kangeyan |
| Producer: | Sundar Rao Nadkarni B. Radhakrishna |
| Starring: | Sivaji Ganesan Padmini S. Balachander Ragini |
| Cinematography: | G. K. Ramu |
| Editing: | Sundar Rao Nadkarni |
| Music: | S. V. Venkatraman |
| Studio: | Sri Ganesh Movietone |
| Distributor: | Bell Pictures[1] |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Koteeswaran is a 1955 Indian Tamil-language comedy film co-written, co-produced, edited and directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Padmini, S. Balachander and Ragini. Based on B. V. Warerkar's Marathi play Haach Mulacha Baap, it revolves around two friends setting out to fight against the dowry system in their village. The film was released on 13 November 1955.
Chandar and Kannan are two friends. They return to their village after completing their studies, but are shocked by the prevalence of the dowry system. They both set out to fight against it.
Koteeswaran is based on Haach Mulacha Baap, a Marathi play written by B. V. Warerkar. It was directed by Sundar Rao Nadkarni who also produced the film with B. Radhakrishna under Sri Ganesh Movietone, and wrote the screenplay alongside Kangeyan. The dialogues were written by Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass and Kangeyan. Cinematography was handled by G. K. Ramu, the art direction by D. S. Kotkavngar and the editing by Nadkarni. The final length of the film was 16246feet.
The music was composed by S. V. Venkatraman.[2]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Ulaavum Thendral Nilaavai" | A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela | Thanjai N. Ramaiah Dass | 03:35 |
| "Palikumaa, Kanavuthaan Palikumaa" | P. Susheela | ||
| "Vandhadu Yogam Vaazhvile" | P. Leela, Jikki | ||
| "Arullilaarkku...Bagavaane Kelaiiyaa Pachondhi" | P. Leela | 03:21 | |
| "Madhu Nilai Maaraadha...Gaanatthaale Kaadhalaaginene" | Jikki | 03:29 | |
| "Yaazhum Kuzhalum" | A. M. Rajah, P. Susheela | T. K. Sundara Vathiyar | 03:50 |
| "Kattikko Thaali Kattikko" | S. V. Venkatraman, P. Leela | Gemini Seetharaman | 06:16 |
| "Isai Amudham Pol Undo" | P. Leela | Papanasam Sivan | 03:27 |
| "Ennudalum Ullak Kaadhalum Unakke" | M. L. Vasanthakumari | 02:27 |
Koteeswaran was released on 13 November 1955, Diwali day.[3] The Indian Express wrote, "Crisp and spicy dialogue is the highlight" of the film.