Maria, My Darling(1980)
Maria, My Darling is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Durai. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Sripriya in lead roles. The story follows a poor man who protects his girlfriend from a ruthless gang after she witnesses a murder. The film was also shot simultaneously in Kannada with the same cast. It is known for its emotional narrative and intense action sequences. The movie received positive reviews for its performances and tight storytelling. It is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Eros Now, Amazon Prime Video, Airtel Xstream Play
- Theatrical Release
- 6 June 1980
- Director
- Durai
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 1h 56m 0
Storyline
A simple man named Maria promises to protect his girlfriend Mary. She is on the run from a gang that wants her dead. Maria must fight alone against powerful criminals to keep her safe.
“Love is the only weapon he needs”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Maria, My Darling
Cast reunions in this film: Thengai Srinivasan & Major Sundarrajan (32 films together), Kamal Haasan & Thengai Srinivasan (23 films together), Shankar & Sankar Ganesh (22 films together), Sripriya & Kamal Haasan (19 films together), Sripriya & Thengai Srinivasan (18 films together), and Sankar Ganesh & Thengai Srinivasan (18 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title song 'Maria My Darling' was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and became a major hit, but it was actually re-used from his earlier Telugu film 'Moodu Mulla Bandham'.
- This was one of the few films where actor Vijayakanth played a full-fledged romantic lead before he became known for his action-hero and political persona.
- Director Durai, known for his work with Sivaji Ganesan, made this film as a shift towards a more youthful, urban love story mixed with crime.
- The movie's plot of a thug and a pickpocket falling in love was considered a fresh template in early 80s Tamil cinema, blending romance with a gritty underworld setting.
- Actress Sujatha, who played Maria, was primarily known for Malayalam films, and this role marked a notable entry into Tamil cinema for her.
- The film's climax, set in a factory, was shot in a single schedule at a real industrial location in Chennai to maintain a realistic atmosphere.
- Despite its popular music, the film had a moderate box office run, as it released alongside several other major star vehicles that year.