Kizhakku Vasal

Kizhakku Vasal is an R. V. Udayakumar-directed Tamil film starring Karthik, Revathy and Kushboo in the lead roles. The film was a mega hit and completed 150 days in Chennai and 100 days in other parts of Tamil Nadu. It was a turning point in the actor's career.^[1] It was later dubbed in Telugu as "Thoorupu Sindhuram"

Plot

The film takes place in a village after which the movie is titled. Revathy leads a cloistered life and does not visit anyone. She is worshipped as a holy lad upon whom the god comes down to give them orders periodically. Revathy was an orphan and is found by Janagaraj, who is a street performer. They go from house to house begging for food. One day a lonely woman, Sulakshana,(a secret prostitute of the village high man) accepts Revathy as her own daughter and janagaraj as her brother, into her own house and provides for them. After 10 years, revathy attains age and some days later finds sulakshan's occupation. She and janagaraj attempt to leave her house, but sulakshana suddenly falls ill and this stops their exit . After Sulakshana's death, Vijaykakumar, the head of the village, tries to take advantage of Revathi. But Revathi keeps dodging him and keeps herself chaste.

Ponnurangam Karthik, the village hero, is a folk singer who performs with his mini troop in nearby village occasionally for festivals. He works as a part-time labour work for Vijayakumar. He initially has a strong crush in love with the daughterKushboo of Valliyuran, rich head of neighboring village and brother-in-law of his boss .The girl cheats him by saying that she too loves her and asks his mm to ask his mother to talk to her father about the matter. But Ponnurangam's mother is beaten by Valliyuran's men and dies in her sleep due to shame. Now Kushboo falls in love with him, but Ponnurangam is so dejected with life. Meanwhile, Vijayakumar arranges marriage of his spoilt son with Valliyuran's daughter to end their feud of 20 years and to incorporate all of their properties under his son. Ponnurangam is asked to perform at Valliyuran's house the night before marriage. During the end of the song, the bride says sorry to him for his mother's death and gives him money which he coldly rejects. the groom sees the sequence. There is a fight between the families and marriage is stopped. Next day, Vijayakumar's son and his men fight with Ponnurangam and stab him in the back with a poisoned knife. Revathy takes care of Ponnurangam and love blossoms between them. Ponnurangam plans to make Revathy his wife. Vijayakumar tries to thwart them, by abducting and raping revathy. He kills ponnurangam's brother, But he is mobbed by the villagers and is beaten up. The last scene shows Ponnurangam and Revathy walking away from the camera on a road, together.

Cast

• Karthik as Ponnurangam
• Revathy as Thaayamma
• Kushboo as Selvi
• Chinni Jayanth as Maakaan
• Manorama
• Vijayakumar
• Janagaraj
• Shanmugasundaram
• Thyagu
• Sulakshana
• S. N. Parvathy
• Kallapatti Singaram

Production

The film marked the second collaboration between RV Udayakumar and Karthik after Urimai Geetham, duo went on to collaborate again with two films; Ponnumani (1993) and Nandhavana Theru (1995). Dharani (director of Dhill, Dhool and Ghilli) was one of the assistant directors in this film.

The shooting of this film was plagued with various problems. The set which was built for the film was burnt, MS Madhu, storywriter of this film suffered from fits after witnessing the fire. Actress Sulakshana was admitted to hospital due to nose bleeding. RV Udayakumar was hospitalised due to car accident and he went into coma for one month. After recovery, Udayakumar completed the climax of the film.^[2]

Music

Ilaiyaraaja has set to music many songs which are based on Carnatic ragas. The song in which Revathy appears from a parrot cage—"Vanthathe Oo Kungumam"—is set in the Mohanam raga. Popular singer K. S. Chitra was awarded the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback for her rendition of this song.

The soundtrack comprises the following songs:

Awards

Best Film -Tamil Nadu State Award -Cinema Express Award

Best Motion Picture - 38th Filmfare Awards- Regional Category -Film Fans Association-Cine Best-1990

Best Producer -Sathyajyothi Films -Ajantha Fine Arts-1990

Best Actor/Actress -Karthik- Tamil Nadu State Award-1990 -Cinema Express Award -Revathi- Tamil Nadu State Award

Best Script -RV Udhayakumar- Cinema Express Annual Award

Best Cinematographer -Abdul Rahman- Tamil Nadu State Award

Remakes

References

External links

• Kizhakku Vasal at the Internet Movie Database