Miss Malini is a 1947 Indian Tamil-language satirical film written and directed by Kothamangalam Subbu and produced by K. Ramnoth, based on a story by R. K. Narayan.

Javar Seetharaman and Gemini Ganesan made their acting debuts in the film appearing in minor supporting roles.

Miss Malini ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now Chennai) during the World War II period, and was the only story written by Narayan for the screen that came to fruition.

The songs composed by S. Rajeswara Rao and Parur S. Anantharaman became popular, and the film gained cult status in Tamil cinema.

[3] Besides directing the film and writing the screenplay,[3][8] Kothamangalam Subbu starred in a leading role as Sampath the charlatan, also known as "Bit Notice".

[15] Narayan's brother, R. K. Ramachandran, who did some editing on the film (marking his cinematic debut), believed that the character of Sampath was inspired by Sathashivayya, a man in Mysore who "exploited young women singers and artistes under the guise of promoting them".

[5][4] L. Narayana Rao was cast as a sari merchant who Sampath tells in English, "In this age of publicity, be wise and advertise!"

[3][24] Miss Malini subtly ridiculed aspects of life in Madras (now Chennai) during the World War II period when there was a shortage of commodities and high prices.

It included depictions of social mores, a love story, and the moral dilemmas its characters face pursuing business and personal interests.

[16] According to the 2006 book Performing Pasts: Reinventing the Arts in Modern South India, the name "Bit Notice" was resonant of Subbu's own interests in the fields of theatre and cinema.

[27] These include the protagonist having humble beginnings before being lifted into a "totally new and unexpected situation," which brings fame and prosperity, the rise being invariably associated with an external player, who is a plausible person, of considerable force and no integrity.

At the instigation of this character, the protagonist rises even higher, then engages in immoral actions causing their fall, and eventual return to their original position, but with a new philosophical perspective.

[30] "Kaalaiyiley" ridicules India's ration system through the lyrics "Sarkaraikku queuevil poi saanjukittu nikkanum, sanda pottu patthu balam sakkata mann vaanganum" ("I have to stand in the queue for sugar, and after a lot of fighting, buy ten measures of gutter mud").

[34] Vasan later told Randor Guy that Malini is an impoverished woman with no training in music when the song takes place, and cannot be expected to sing with the "class, perfection and brilliance" of Pattammal.

[40] An animated film of roughly 10 minutes,[c] developed by cartoonist N. Thanu, titled Cinema Kadhambam, was screened after the interval of Miss Malini.

[1][14] On 26 September 1947, the reviewer from The Hindu believed the technical aspects had made Miss Malini "Gemini's most outstanding achievement", concluding that the film was "of immense significance for the Indian screen."

The following day, a review of Miss Malini from The Indian Express noted that it presented "a sort of skit on modern life" and termed it as "fine entertainment."

[43] The critic from the Telugu newspaper Andhra Prabha said on 28 September, "Evidence of skillful expression of art is profusely manifest in this picture."

[1] Guy also stated that Vasan would later often tell his friends that the film proved that Indian audiences "did not appreciate movies that tickled their intellect".

[d] According to Ganesan's journalist daughter Narayani, his role in Miss Malini won him acclaim, and he soon received more acting offers.