Attukara Alamelu(1977)
Attukara Alamelu is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. Thyagarajan and produced by Sandow M. M. A. Chinnappa Thevar. The film stars Sivakumar and Sripriya in lead roles, with Jai Ganesh, Suruli Rajan, and S. A. Ashokan in supporting parts. The story follows a village goatherd named Alamelu whose life is destroyed when a wealthy landlord falsely claims to have had an affair with her. The film explores themes of honour, truth, and social power dynamics in rural Tamil Nadu. It was released on 10 November 1977, coinciding with Diwali, and became a silver jubilee hit, running for over 25 weeks in theatres. The film was remade in Telugu as Pottelu Punnamma and in Hindi as Mera Rakshak.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube, Hungama
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1977
- Director
- R. Thyagarajan
- Language
- Tamil 0
Storyline
A poor village goatherd named Alamelu lives happily with her pet goat. When a powerful landlord spreads a false rumour about her character, the entire village turns against her. With the help of a kind stranger named Vijay, she must fight to restore her honour and prove the truth.
“One lie can destroy an innocent life”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Attukara Alamelu
Cast reunions in this film: Sankar Ganesh & Sivakumar (20 films together), Sripriya & Sankar Ganesh (16 films together), Sankar Ganesh & R. Thyagarajan (9 films together), Sankar Ganesh & Jaiganesh (7 films together), Sripriya & Sivakumar (6 films together), and Sankar Ganesh & Dhandayudhapani Films (6 films together).
Trivia
- The film was produced by R. Thyagarajan's own company, Chithralaya, which was a major production house for many successful Tamil films.
- The story is based on a popular Tamil stage play, which helped it connect with audiences familiar with the original.
- Actress Lakshmi, who played Alamelu, was already a major star, but this role showcased her in a more rustic, village-based character.
- The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, a leading composer, but it did not produce any major hit songs.
- The plot revolves around a pet goat, which was an unusual central element for a Tamil drama film at the time.
- Director R. Thyagarajan was also a successful actor, but he did not appear in this film, focusing only on direction.
- The movie was part of a trend in the 1970s that often featured stories about village life and social injustices.