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Pagal Nilavu official poster

Pagal Nilavu(1985)

7.0/10
Tamil141 mins

Pagal Nilavu (1985) is a 141-minute Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam. Starring Venu Arvind, Revathi and Sathyaraj. With an audience rating of 7.0/10, Pagal Nilavu stands as one of the notable Tamil releases of 1985.

Director:Mani Ratnam
Mood:
emotionaldarksuspenseful
Where to watch:
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Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
5 June 1985
Director
Mani Ratnam
Language
Tamil
Runtime
2h 21m
GudVibe Rating
7.0/10

Storyline

A young man with no direction joins a gang to repay a debt of gratitude. His life gets complicated when he falls for the sister of the town's new police officer.

A gangster's loyalty tested by forbidden love.

Film Details

7.0Rating
141Minutes
TamilLanguage
ACertificate
Release Date5 June 1985
Release Typetheatrical

Parental Guide

Violence
Moderate
Language
Moderate
Sex / Nudity
Moderate
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Moderate

Vibe & Tags

Mood
emotionaldarksuspenseful
Themes
loveidentityfamilycorruption
Toneintense
Pacingslow-burn
Complexitymoderate
Audiencemultiplex
Best Withwith-partner
Violence3
Emotion4
Humor2
Rewatchability3

Reviews & Ratings

Your Rating
7/10Rating

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Cast & Crew

Photos Gallery

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Trivia

  • This was Mani Ratnam's first film with composer Ilaiyaraaja, starting a legendary partnership.
  • The film's title 'Pagal Nilavu' translates to 'Midday Sun', symbolising intense, exposed emotions.
  • Actor Murali, who played the lead, was primarily known as a theatre artist before this film.
  • The movie was shot in and around Madras (now Chennai), capturing the city's 1980s urban landscape.
  • It was one of the earliest Tamil films to blend a romantic storyline with gritty gangster drama elements.
  • The climax scene involving a car was noted for its realistic staging compared to typical films of that era.
  • Despite a strong cast, the film had a moderate box office run but later gained appreciation for its craft.

Notable Collaborations

Frequent partnerships reunited in Pagal Nilavu

Frequently Asked Questions