Alaigal(1973)
Alaigal (transl. Waves) is a 1973 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, produced, and directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Kannada actor Vishnuvardhan in his Tamil debut and Chandrakala in the lead roles. The story follows Raju, an honest clerk whose life is destroyed when his friend frames him for theft. He loses his job, his mother dies from shock, his sister leaves, and his lover marries another man. The film explores themes of betrayal, injustice, and loneliness. It received mixed reviews, with some critics praising its bold storytelling and others criticizing its lack of originality. Despite positive reviews from Kalki and Navamani, the film failed at the box office. The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. The film is notable for its tragic ending and its departure from conventional Tamil cinema formulas.
Alaigal (1973) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1973
- Director
- C. V. Sridhar
- Language
- Tamil
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
Raju is a hardworking clerk who dreams of a happy life with his family and his love, Malathi. His trusted friend Gopal frames him for theft, destroying his reputation and his future. Raju must fight to clear his name while facing betrayal, loss, and a system that refuses to believe him.
“When the waves of fate drown an honest man”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Alaigal
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Viswanathan & Manorama (63 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Thengai Srinivasan (57 films together), Manorama & Thengai Srinivasan (29 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Suruli rajan (18 films together), Manorama & Suruli rajan (16 films together), and M. S. Viswanathan & C. V. Sridhar (12 films together).
Trivia
- This was the only Tamil film of Kannada superstar Vishnuvardhan, who was a major star in his home industry.
- The film's music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, but it was not a major commercial success like many of his other scores.
- Director C. V. Sridhar was known for romantic films, but 'Alaigal' had a more dramatic and tragic tone.
- The film was simultaneously dubbed into Telugu, a common practice for Sridhar's productions to reach a wider audience.
- Actress Chandrakala, the female lead, was primarily known for her work in Kannada and Telugu films at the time.
- The title 'Alaigal' (Waves) metaphorically represents the turbulent emotions and events in the central love story.
- Despite its star cast, the film is not widely remembered today compared to Sridhar's earlier hits like 'Kadhalikka Neramillai'.