In a surprising discovery, the 1953 movie Avvaiyar, starring Gemini Ganesan, showcases the historic Thirumullaivoyal Temple near Madras. While the film primarily captures period forest scenes, one part reveals the temple's 16-pillared stone pavilion, a Shiva shrine with a classic Chola-style Gajaprshta Vimana, and a tall rajagopuram. The temple, dedicated to Masilamaniswarar and Kodiyidaiammai, is a Padal Petra Sthalam praised in 8th-century Tevaram verses and 15th-century Tirupugazh hymns. Shot over 70 years ago, the footage shows a peaceful village landscape with tiled houses and open land that contrasts sharply with today’s crowded and chaotic development nearby. The movie’s images preserve the temple’s original look, which has largely remained unchanged, despite urban sprawl swallowing much of the surrounding greenery and the vanishing Pali River. Historian Sriram V. highlights how films like Avvaiyar act as precious records of heritage sites and their lost rural settings. The temple’s ancient inscriptions date back to the 10th and 11th centuries, including work by Rajendra Chola, who likely built the unique elephant-back canopy over the sanctum. The 19th-century rajagopuram and pavilion appear vividly in the film's shots, reminding viewers of Madras’ rich historical tapestry before modern urban chaos set in. This rare cinematic window into a fading Madras village urges reflection on protecting heritage while facing rapid urbanization. The temple stands as a steadfast relic amidst the ever-growing city, inviting us to remember and value the past before it disappears.