Nammavar

Nammavar
Directed by	K. S. Sethumadhavan
Produced by	R. Venkatarama Reddy
Written by	Kamal Haasan
Starring	Kamal Haasan Gouthami Nagesh Srividya Karan
Music by	Mahesh Mahadevan
Cinematography	Madhu Ambat
Editing by	N. P. Sathish
Studio	Chandamama Vijaya Combines
Release date(s)	November 1994 (1994-11)
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Nammavar is a 1994 Tamil language film K. S. Sethumadhavan and starring Kamal Haasan and Gouthami in lead roles.

Kamal Hassan plays a revolutionary lecturer/vice principal of a college. The movie is about how he tries to reform the downtrodden college by his initiatives and its consequences. The background score and music was composed by Mahesh. The film did not fare too well at the box office, but won critical acclaim.

Plot

Dr.Selvam (Kamal Haasan) is the new Vice-principal cum History professor in a college ruled by the Donor's son Ramesh (Karan) who is essentially a spoilt brat who due to the lack of parental guidance turns into a no-gooder and also influences the other students in the college by his tyrannical use of money and power. Sparks fly between the two, and Selvam manages to transform most of the college.

Vasanthi (Gouthami) is also a Professor in the same college who initially disapproves of Selvam's methods, but later falls for him. Selvam is revealed a cancer patient, who is seeking answers to fight his inner demons by doing good to the college. When all his methods to insult Selvam fail, and when one of his gang turns against him, Ramesh retaliates by implicating his ex-friend's lover, who is also the Principal's (Nagesh) daughter in a brothel raid, which leads to her suicide.The inevitable final clash ensues, where Selvam still does not want to harm Ramesh and is still willing to offer him a second chance. In the end, Selvam and Vasanthi leave for the US seeking a cure for his Cancer and hoping that the college will be truly reformed when they return.

Cast

• Kamal Haasan as Selvam
• Gouthami as Vasanthi
• Nagesh as Mr.Rao
• Srividya
• Karan as Ramesh
• Senthil
• Kovai Sarala
• Santhana Bharathi
• Delhi Ganesh
• Brindha as Nirmala

Production

The first day shoot was at held at the Vijaya Vauhini studios, with Karan as a student and Kamal Haasan as professor in a classroom scenario.^[1]

Release

In 1995 at the National Film Awards, Nagesh was awarded Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal in the film, as well winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize.

Soundtrack

This movie features 6 songs composed by Mahesh Mahadevan. The music director, prior to signing the project had been diagnosed with blood cancer and since, it has been debated that Kamal Haasan's cancer-ridden role in the film was a tribute to Mahesh.^[2] Before his death in 2002, Mahesh went on to work in the sounde departments in Kamal Haasan's Kuruthipunal and Aalavandhan. The soundtrack was also marked the debut of noted singer, Srinivas.^[3]

• Poonnkuyil Paadinal - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chitra
• Ethilum Valvlan Da - Kamal Hassan, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
• Mannil Engum - Mohammed Rafi
• Sorgam Enbathu Namakku - Srinivas, Swarnalatha
• Udai Oodu Pirakkavillai - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha
• Instrumental Theme Music

References

1. ^ http://www.hindu.com/fr/2007/08/03/stories/2007080350800100.htm
2. ^ http://lazygeek.net/2004/05/nammavar-was-mahesh-mahadevan-the-inspiration
3. ^ http://www.hindu.com/mp/2005/09/10/stories/2005091000340100.htm

External links

• Nammavar at the Internet Movie Database