Aval(1972)
'Aval' (1972) is a Tamil-language erotic drama film directed by A. C. Tirulokchandar. It stars Vennira Aadai Nirmala, A. V. M. Rajan, Srikanth, and Sasikumar. The story follows Geetha, a millionaire's daughter, who marries writer Chandranath against her father's wishes. A wealthy publisher named Sadanandh lusts after Geetha and uses his money to corrupt her husband. He eventually rapes her, leading to a murder and a tragic suicide. The film was a remake of the Hindi film 'Do Raha' (1971) and was produced by Vijayalakshmi Pictures. It was one of the earliest Tamil films to centre entirely on sex and its consequences. The soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ganesh with lyrics by Vaali. 'Aval' was released on 15 September 1972 and became a commercial success.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1972
- Director
- A. C. Tirulokchandar
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 26m
- Rating
- 7.8/10
Storyline
Geetha, a rich heiress, marries writer Chandranath against her father's wishes. A wealthy publisher named Sadanandh pretends to be their friend but secretly lusts after Geetha. He corrupts Chandranath with money and alcohol, then rapes Geetha. When Sadanandh tries to rape her again, he is murdered. Geetha must face the consequences of a crime she did not commit.
“She loved him. He destroyed her.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Aval
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Viswanathan & A. C. Tirulokchandar (30 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Pandari Bai (20 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Vennira Aadai Nirmala (15 films together), Srikanth & M. S. Viswanathan (14 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & J. P. Chandrababu (5 films together), and M. S. Viswanathan & Sasikumar (4 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title '...Aval!' is unusual because it uses punctuation marks, which was rare for Tamil movies at the time.
- This was one of the few films where actor Ravichandran, known for his comic roles, played a more serious character as the writer Chandranath.
- The movie was released during a period when Tamil cinema was exploring more urban and psychological themes beyond traditional folklore.
- Director A. C. Tirulokchandar was known for social dramas, and this film examined the moral compromises in the publishing world.
- The soundtrack was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, who was the most sought-after music director in Tamil cinema during the early 1970s.
- Actress Jayalalithaa, who later became a political leader, was considered for the female lead but was not cast in the final film.
- The film's plot involving sensationalist writing for profit mirrored real-life debates about literature and commercialism in the 1970s.