Virumaandi
Encyclopedia
Virumaandi is a 2004 Tamil film written and directed by, and starring Kamal Haasan
. The film revolves around two criminals, Virumaandi (Kamal Haasan) and Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy
), being interviewed. They express how they feel about the direction their lives have taken and how they have ended up where they are. The film revolves around the controversy of the death penalty. The cast also includes Abhirami
, Napoleon, Rohini
, Shanmugarajan, and Nassar in pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilayaraaja.
) and her cameraman in Central Jail filming interviews of prisoners serving life imprisonment and awaiting the death sentence. She meets Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy
) who is serving a life sentence. He tells his version of the story that led to his conviction. According to him the root cause of the problem is Virumaandi (Kamal Haasan
) - the happy go lucky rogue. His support to Kothala Thevar in his clash against Nallama Naicker (Napoleon) brings about a bonding between the two. Annalakshmi (Abhirami), the niece of Thevar falls for Virumaandi. Thevar with an eye on the fertile land owned by Virumaandi does not object to the romance. According to Thevar, Annalakshmi was abducted by Virumaandi and raped. A clash between Virumaandi and Thevar takes places in which 24 innocent people are killed.
Now it's the turn of Virumaandi to tell his version of the story. He tells his version of how he fell in love with Annalakshmi and her influence on him. He tells how she loves him. He is told to learn to apologize and that forgiveness is a virtue. A clash at the Panchayat infuriates Annalakshmi and she asks Virumaandi to apologize to the elders whom he insulted. He goes to apologize but Thevar and his men thinking he has gone to take revenge come in groups and hack down innocents to death. Thevar uses his clout to get out of the murder charge but Virumaandi who was involved in the bloodbath is disturbed because he had to lie to save Thevar and his kin. As part of the penance he wills his land for the villagers and Annalakshmi asks him to marry her and leave the village. He marries her at the village temple and goes away in the night with the girl and stays with a relative. Thevar's men come and abduct Annalakshmi and forcibly marry her to Thevar's nephew. This is to ensure that Annalakshmi's property does not go to Virumaandi. Annalakshmi commits suicide. Virumaandi takes revenge by hacking to death Thevar's family. Thevar escapes. Nallama Naicker gives refuge to Virumaandi and sends him off to Chennai. Thevar and his men ask Nallama Naicker to hand over Virumaandi. A battle ensues in which Nallama Naicker is killed. The case goes to court. Virumaandi turns up in court. He finds all evidence is against him. He is convicted of having raped Annalakshmi and killing her and later on killing 26 men of Thevar who inquired into the rape. Angela Kathamuthu's cameraman discreetly shoots the deputy jailor conspiring with warders and convicts to bump off the chief jailor (Nassar
). A revolt among the jail staff leads to a jail break, the jailor being stabbed and Virumaandi saving the vital evidence and Angela from the deputy jailor and his henchmen forms the climax. The film ends on a note that death sentence should be abolished.
2004 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
(South Korea
)
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
. The film revolves around two criminals, Virumaandi (Kamal Haasan) and Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy
Pasupathy
Pasupathy is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in several critically acclaimed roles in many noted Tamil films, essaying supporting, antagonistic, comedic as well as protagonistic roles.-Early life and career:...
), being interviewed. They express how they feel about the direction their lives have taken and how they have ended up where they are. The film revolves around the controversy of the death penalty. The cast also includes Abhirami
Abhirami (actress)
Abhirami is an Indian film actress, who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.- Career :...
, Napoleon, Rohini
Rohini (actress)
Rohini is an actress in south Indian, notably Malayalam and Tamil, films. She started her career in 1976 as a child artist. She was married to actor late Raghuvaran from 1996 to 2003. She is also the most popular dubbing artist in Tamil industry. She lent her voice to actresses like Jyothika ,...
, Shanmugarajan, and Nassar in pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilayaraaja.
Plot
The film starts with Angela Kathamuthu (RohiniRohini (actress)
Rohini is an actress in south Indian, notably Malayalam and Tamil, films. She started her career in 1976 as a child artist. She was married to actor late Raghuvaran from 1996 to 2003. She is also the most popular dubbing artist in Tamil industry. She lent her voice to actresses like Jyothika ,...
) and her cameraman in Central Jail filming interviews of prisoners serving life imprisonment and awaiting the death sentence. She meets Kothala Thevar (Pasupathy
Pasupathy
Pasupathy is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in several critically acclaimed roles in many noted Tamil films, essaying supporting, antagonistic, comedic as well as protagonistic roles.-Early life and career:...
) who is serving a life sentence. He tells his version of the story that led to his conviction. According to him the root cause of the problem is Virumaandi (Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
) - the happy go lucky rogue. His support to Kothala Thevar in his clash against Nallama Naicker (Napoleon) brings about a bonding between the two. Annalakshmi (Abhirami), the niece of Thevar falls for Virumaandi. Thevar with an eye on the fertile land owned by Virumaandi does not object to the romance. According to Thevar, Annalakshmi was abducted by Virumaandi and raped. A clash between Virumaandi and Thevar takes places in which 24 innocent people are killed.
Now it's the turn of Virumaandi to tell his version of the story. He tells his version of how he fell in love with Annalakshmi and her influence on him. He tells how she loves him. He is told to learn to apologize and that forgiveness is a virtue. A clash at the Panchayat infuriates Annalakshmi and she asks Virumaandi to apologize to the elders whom he insulted. He goes to apologize but Thevar and his men thinking he has gone to take revenge come in groups and hack down innocents to death. Thevar uses his clout to get out of the murder charge but Virumaandi who was involved in the bloodbath is disturbed because he had to lie to save Thevar and his kin. As part of the penance he wills his land for the villagers and Annalakshmi asks him to marry her and leave the village. He marries her at the village temple and goes away in the night with the girl and stays with a relative. Thevar's men come and abduct Annalakshmi and forcibly marry her to Thevar's nephew. This is to ensure that Annalakshmi's property does not go to Virumaandi. Annalakshmi commits suicide. Virumaandi takes revenge by hacking to death Thevar's family. Thevar escapes. Nallama Naicker gives refuge to Virumaandi and sends him off to Chennai. Thevar and his men ask Nallama Naicker to hand over Virumaandi. A battle ensues in which Nallama Naicker is killed. The case goes to court. Virumaandi turns up in court. He finds all evidence is against him. He is convicted of having raped Annalakshmi and killing her and later on killing 26 men of Thevar who inquired into the rape. Angela Kathamuthu's cameraman discreetly shoots the deputy jailor conspiring with warders and convicts to bump off the chief jailor (Nassar
Nassar
Nassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar...
). A revolt among the jail staff leads to a jail break, the jailor being stabbed and Virumaandi saving the vital evidence and Angela from the deputy jailor and his henchmen forms the climax. The film ends on a note that death sentence should be abolished.
Cast
- Kamal HaasanKamal HaasanKamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
as Virumaandi - AbhiramiAbhirami (actress)Abhirami is an Indian film actress, who has acted in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada films.- Career :...
as Annalakshmi - PasupathyPasupathyPasupathy is an Indian film actor. He has appeared in several critically acclaimed roles in many noted Tamil films, essaying supporting, antagonistic, comedic as well as protagonistic roles.-Early life and career:...
as Kothala Thevar - Napoleon as Nallama Naicker
- RohiniRohini (actress)Rohini is an actress in south Indian, notably Malayalam and Tamil, films. She started her career in 1976 as a child artist. She was married to actor late Raghuvaran from 1996 to 2003. She is also the most popular dubbing artist in Tamil industry. She lent her voice to actresses like Jyothika ,...
as Angela Kaathamuthu - Shanmugarajan as Paykkaman
- NassarNassarNassar is a Tamil actor, producer, writer, director, lyricist, and singer. He has appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Hindi and English films. He is often cited as part of India's specialist character actors, along with the likes of Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri and Nana Patekar...
as Chief Jailor Jayanth - Pyramid Natarajan as Vaidyanathan
- S. N. Lakshmi as Virumaandi's grandma
Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:2004 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival
The Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival , or PiFan, is an international film festival held annually in July in Bucheon, South Korea...
(South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
)
- Won - International Award for Best Asian Film - Virumaandi - Kamal Haasan
Box office
The film had a good opening and could maintain the same, this film was a super hit and still won the Best Asian Film Award at the International film festival in South Korea.Music
The soundtrack features 10 songs composed by Ilayaraaja. This movie features live recording; most of the sequences were recorded lively.- Onnavida - Kamal Hassan, Shreya Ghoshal
- Andha Kandamani - Ilayaraja, Kamal Hassan, Karthik RajaKarthik RajaKarthik Raja is a Tamil musician from Chennai, India. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil film Alexander.-Personal life:Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician Ilaiyaraaja and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, who are also Kollywood music directors and...
, Surendar, Tippu - Anna Lakshimi - Kamal Hassan
- Chandiyera Chandiyera - Shreya Ghoshal
- Karbagraham Vitu Samy Veliyerathu - Ilayaraja, Kamal Hassan, Karthik RajaKarthik RajaKarthik Raja is a Tamil musician from Chennai, India. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil film Alexander.-Personal life:Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician Ilaiyaraaja and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, who are also Kollywood music directors and...
, Surendar, Tippu - Karumathur Katukulae - Mary, Periya Karuppu Thevar, Sukumar, Thiruvudiyan
- Kombulae Poov Suthi - Kamal Hassan
- Mada Vilakae - Kamal Hassan
- Magarasiyae Manna Vitu Poniyae - Theni Kunjaramma
- Nethiyelae Pottu Vai - Karunanidhi, Sukumar, Thiruvudiyan
Trivia
- Extensive sets of rural Tamil Nadu and prison were erected in Chennai.
- Bulls from Madurai and nearby districts were transported to Chennai for the bull fight sequences.
- After much controversy, the film titled as "Sandiyar" earlier was finally certified, and Kamal Haasan screened it at the National Film Festival in 2004.