Director: V. Shekhar; Writer: V. Shekhar; Cinematographer: Rajendran; Cast: Nizhalgal Ravi, Urvashi, Radhika, Manorama, Kovai Sarala, Radhabai
Summary: When Andal’s (Manorama) only son Ravi (Ravi)
grows up, she dominates every aspect of his
life fearing that he might fall for a modern
woman who, in turn, might threaten Andal’s
control over her domestic space. She makes
her son marry Uma Maheshwari (Urvashi), a
docile maid-servant. When Uma demonstrates
some tendencies towards independence, Andal
forces her daughter-in-law to commit suicide.
Andal is arrested, but acquitted in court even
though her own son believes her guilty.
Although initially received with some protest,
the film went on to become a major hit mainly
with urban middle class audiences responding
e.g. to Uma’s dialogues to her mother-in-law
like ‘Since you feed and dress and bathe your
son, why do you give me the mangalsutra, you
could have worn it yourself’ (i.e. you could
have married your son).
Indiancine.ma requires JavaScript.
