Arangetram (1973)

Arangetram is a 1973 Tamil-language family drama film directed by K. Balachander, starring Prameela, Sivakumar, S. V. Subbaiah, Kamal Haasan and M. N. Rajam in prominent roles. The film marked Kamal Haasan's first adult role, while, along with Prameela, Jayachitra, Jayasudha, Sashikumar and Achacho Chitra made their debuts in Tamil cinema. V. Kumar composed the music for the film, which was the last Balachander film he worked on.

The film told the story of a young woman who is forced to become a prostitute in order to support her conservative, but extremely poor Brahmin family. It carried hard hitting messages and very bold scenes and was controversial at the time of its release, but became a commercial hit. The film was featured as part of the Tamil Nadu government's information campaign promoting family planning.

Synopsis

Lalitha is the eldest daughter of a pious and conservative Brahmin family. She has eight siblings and poverty rules reign. She decides to take up the family mantle and goes to work. Due to family needs and ill fate, she ends up as a prostitute but manages to settle all her brothers and sisters. Her family ditches her when they come to know about her dark side. Thangavelu, a man who was once rejected by her marries her. She loses her sanity in the end.

Actors