Kizhakku Vasal(1990)
Kizhakku Vaasal (transl. East Gate) is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film directed and co-written by R. V. Udayakumar. The film stars Karthik, Revathi, and Khushbu in lead roles. The story follows Ponnurangam, a poor folk singer who falls in love with a rich girl, leading to tragedy and a transformative relationship with a holy woman. Set in a rural Tamil village, the film explores class conflict, false worship, and redemption. It was praised for its realistic portrayal of village life and strong performances. The film won Tamil Nadu State Film Awards for Best Film, Best Actor (Karthik), and Best Actress (Revathi). It was released on 12 July 1990 and ran for over 175 days in theatres.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 12 July 1990
- Director
- R. V. Udayakumar
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 25m
- Rating
- 6.3/10
Storyline
A poor folk singer named Ponnurangam has a crush on Selvi, the rich headman's daughter. She plays a cruel prank that kills his mother. Broken and dejected, he finds solace in Thaayamma, a mysterious holy woman. But powerful men in the village try to destroy their love.
“Love rises from the ashes of cruelty”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Kizhakku Vasal
Cast reunions in this film: Ilayaraja & Manorama (60 films together), Ilayaraja & Janagaraj (59 films together), Karthik & Ilayaraja (45 films together), Kushboo & Ilayaraja (32 films together), Ilayaraja & Revathi (32 films together), and Chinni Jayanth & Ilayaraja (25 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Kizhakku Vasal' translates to 'Eastern Entrance', a name often given to the first house in a village in Tamil culture.
- This was one of the earliest major film roles for actress Kushboo, who became a huge star in the 1990s.
- Director R.V. Udayakumar was known for his rural family dramas, and this film helped establish that reputation.
- The movie features music by composer Ilaiyaraaja, who created a popular soundtrack including the song 'Kannukku Mai Azhagu'.
- The story's central conflict is based on traditional village customs and family honor, common themes in Tamil cinema of that era.
- Actor Karthik, playing the village hero, was already a well-established romantic lead by the time of this film's release.
- The film was a commercial success, contributing to the trend of rural-based love stories in early 1990s Tamil cinema.