Vietnam Veedu(1970)
'Vietnam Veedu' is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by P. Madhavan. It stars Sivaji Ganesan as 'Prestige' Padmanabhan Iyer and Padmini as his wife Savithri. The story follows a retired company manager who buys back his ancestral home and names it 'Vietnam Veedu' because of constant family quarrels. His sons' corruption and irresponsibility destroy his reputation and health. The film was produced by Sivaji Productions and is based on Sundaram's stage play of the same name. It won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film and was a commercial success, running for over 100 days. The closing text famously reads 'Idhu padam alla, paadam' (This is not a film, this is a lesson). The film was remade in Telugu as 'Vintha Samsaram' (1971) and in Kannada as 'Shanthi Nivasa' (1988).
Vietnam Veedu (1970) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 10 April 1970
- Director
- P. Madhavan
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 35m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
Padmanabhan Iyer, a man obsessed with social prestige, buys back his family's old house and names it 'Vietnam Veedu' because of the constant fights inside. His two sons betray his values — one takes bribes, the other borrows money he cannot repay. As his reputation crumbles and his health fails, Padmanabhan must confront the cost of his pride.
“This is not a film. This is a lesson.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Vietnam Veedu
Cast reunions in this film: Nagesh & Sivaji Ganesan (38 films together), Nagesh & K. V. Mahadevan (37 films together), Sivaji Ganesan & K. V. Mahadevan (35 films together), Sivaji Ganesan & Padmini (21 films together), V. S. Raghavan & Nagesh (19 films together), and Srikanth & Nagesh (15 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title refers to the family home's nickname, comparing its constant arguments to the ongoing Vietnam War.
- It was one of the few films where actor Sivaji Ganesan played a retired, vulnerable patriarch rather than a powerful hero.
- The movie was remade in Hindi as 'Buddha Mil Gaya' in 1971, with Ashok Kumar playing the lead role.
- Director P. Madhavan often collaborated with Sivaji Ganesan, and this film is considered a notable dramatic departure from their earlier work.
- The story highlights the generation gap and neglect of elders, a social issue less commonly addressed in mainstream cinema of that era.
- Despite its serious theme, the film was a commercial success, resonating strongly with family audiences.