Pattina Pravesam(1977)
*Pattina Pravesam* (1977) is a Tamil-language drama film written and directed by K. Balachander. The cast features Delhi Ganesh, Sivachandran, and Sarath Babu in their cinematic acting debuts. The story follows a widow and her four sons and one daughter who leave their village for the city, only to face exploitation and heartbreak. The film is an adaptation of Visu's stage play of the same name. It was produced by R. Venkataraman under Premalaya Films. The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. The song "Vaan Nila" became a cult favorite. The film was released on 9 September 1977 and was later screened at the Tashkent Film Festival.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 7 February 1977
- Director
- K. Balachander
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 22m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
A widow and her five children leave their peaceful village for the big city. They believe they will find jobs, money, and a better life. But the city is full of cheats and dangers. Each family member faces a different kind of trouble. They must decide if the city is worth the pain or if home is where they truly belong.
“The city promises everything. It takes everything.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Pattina Pravesam
Cast reunions in this film: K. Balachander & M. S. Viswanathan (27 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Jaiganesh (13 films together), Sarath Babu & M. S. Viswanathan (11 films together), Delhi Ganesh & Jai Ganesh (10 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Jai Ganesh (10 films together), and Jaiganesh & Jai Ganesh (10 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Pattina Pravesam' translates to 'Entry into the City', mirroring the family's journey.
- This was one of the few films where director K. Balachander also composed the music, under the pseudonym 'Kannan'.
- Actor Kamal Haasan played a dual role, portraying both a father and his son in the story.
- The movie was partly shot in a real slum area in Madras to capture authentic urban poverty.
- It was remade in Telugu the same year as 'Pattina Pravesam', but with a different cast.
- The film is noted for its stark contrast between village life and the harsh city, a common Balachander theme.
- Despite critical praise, the film was not a major commercial success upon its initial release.