Marupadiyum


Marupadiyum is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, filmed and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Revathi, Nizhalgal Ravi, Arvind Swami and Rohini. It is a remake of the 1982 Hindi film Arth. The film focuses on Thulasi, a wife caught up in marital discord, and her life henceforth. It was released on 14 January 1993. Revathi won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for her performance.

Plot

Thulasi and Muralikrishna are a couple who have been married for five years. Muralikrishna, a film director, has an extramarital affair with his star heroine Kavitha. He reveals this intimacy between Kavitha and himself to Thulasi, which makes Thulasi very much shocked. Muralikrishna moves on to get a divorce from Thulasi. Thulasi pleads with Muralikrishna not to proceed with the divorce and asks Kavitha to leave her husband, but both disagree to do so. Gowri Shankar, a singer, helps and befriends Thulasi after she leaves her husband. Kavitha faces mental anguish as she feels guilty with another woman's husband and becomes psychologically affected. Muralikrishna ends up in a dilemma between his wife and his lover. At a stage, Kavitha discards Muralikrishna, who approaches Thulasi, but she refused to accept him. Gowri Shankar turns into a dependable friend and asks Thulasi to marry him, but Thulasi has to choose her own path without getting into the marriage trap, Gowri accepts her decision and wishes her luck.

Cast

Although Marupadiyum is a remake of the Hindi film Arth, director and cinematographer Balu Mahendra described it as being "dangerously close to own life." According to Rohini, he told her not to apply make-up to look fairer because of his preference for dark-skinned heroines who he considered were "more attractive and had different shades".

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Aasai Athigam" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Sindhu Bhairavi, "Ellorukum Nalla Kaalam" is set in Suddha Dhanyasi, and "Nalam Vazha" is set in Madhukauns.

Release and reception

Marupadiyum was released on 14 January 1993. The Indian Express wrote that the film "looks more like a second-hand import of another man's experiences, told more beautifully no doubt, but not with equal finesse". K. Vijiyin of New Straits Times wrote that it is "a slow-moving movie, not to be attempted when you are tired or sleepy." At the 41st Filmfare Awards South, Revathi won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Actress for her performance. No print of the film is known to survive, but it is still available on home video.