Nammavar
Encyclopedia
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.
) is the new Vice-principal cum History professor
in a college ruled by the Donor's son Ramesh (Karan
) who is essentially a spoiled
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.
, Nagesh was awarded Best Supporting Actor
award for his portrayal in the film, as well winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize.
. 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. 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
.
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan
K. S. Sethumadhavan is an Indian director of Malayalam films. He has also directed films in Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. Since the early 1960s he has directed over 60 movies...
and starring Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
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 HaasanKamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
) is the new Vice-principal cum History professor
in a college ruled by the Donor's son Ramesh (Karan
Karan (actor)
Karan is an Indian actor. He started his career as child actor under the name Master Raghu for more than 20 films in Malayalam. Ina and Kuyiline Thedi were huge hits. After turning 20, he acted in Tamil films where he made his debut in Nammavar starring opposite Kamal Hassan...
) who is essentially a spoiled
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
Nagesh (actor)
Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
) 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 HaasanKamal HaasanKamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
as Selvam - GouthamiGouthami TadimallaGouthami is an Indian actress. She has acted in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi and Kannada films.-Film career:...
as Vasanthi - NageshNagesh (actor)Nagesh , was a Tamil film actor, mostly remembered for his roles as a comedian during the 1960s. He is regarded as one of the most prolific comedians in Tamil cinema....
as Mr.Rao - SrividyaSrividyaSrividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
- KaranKaran (actor)Karan is an Indian actor. He started his career as child actor under the name Master Raghu for more than 20 films in Malayalam. Ina and Kuyiline Thedi were huge hits. After turning 20, he acted in Tamil films where he made his debut in Nammavar starring opposite Kamal Hassan...
as Ramesh - SenthilSenthil (actor)Senthil is an actor from Tamil Nadu, India notable for his comedian roles in Tamil films.-Acting career:He has acted in many popular movies with several of the leading actors and comedians in the south Indian cine industry. He usually appears in films with Goundamani in a slapstick double act....
- Kovai SaralaKovai SaralaKovai Sarala is a popular well known Tamil comedian actress who prominently plays supporting roles and has also starred as a heroine...
- Santhana BharathiSanthana BharathiSanthana Bharathi is a popular Tamil language film celebrity in Kollywood, the Tamil film industry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. He has directed several films such as Guna and the National Film Award winner, Mahanadhi...
- Delhi GaneshDelhi GaneshDelhi Ganesh born in Tirunelveli as a veteran Tamil film actor, who mostly acts in supporting roles and is perhaps best known for his role in Kamal Hassan comedies and films like Nayagan and Michael Madana Kama Rajan. He has acted in more than 400 films from 1980 to present...
- 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.Release
In 1995 at the National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
, Nagesh was awarded Best Supporting Actor
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor
The National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor is an annual award that was first given in 1968. The actors to have won the most awards in this category include Nana Patekar, Atul Kulkarni, and Pankaj Kapoor, each have received two....
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 MahadevanMahesh Mahadevan
Mahesh Mahadevan was an Indian film composer in the '90s. Over the last decade of the 20th century, Mahesh composed more than 250 popular advertising jingles including the extremely popular Regaul Blue jingle. He also directed the music for six very successful multi-language motion...
. 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. Before his death in 2002, Mahesh went on to work in the sounde departments in Kamal Haasan's Kuruthipunal
Kuruthipunal
Kuruthipunal is a 1995 Tamil drama and action film directed by veteran cinematographer P. C. Sriram. The film stars Kamal Haasan and Arjun in the lead roles, with Nassar playing a pivotal role. Upon release, the film met with a strong critical reception, and is recognized by some to have set high...
and Aalavandhan
Aalavandhan
Aalavandhan is a Indian Tamil Thriller film released in 2001. Directed by Suresh Krishna, it stars Kamal Haasan in a dual role, with Raveena Tandon and Manisha Koirala as his love interests. The film's soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and the background score by late Mahesh Mahadevan...
. The soundtrack was also marked the debut of noted singer, Srinivas
Srinivas
Srinivas/Sreenivas/Shrinivas/Shreenivas is a common given name for males in India. The word Srinivas is combination of two Sanskrit words, Sri and nivas . Sri means 'radiance' or 'diffusing light'; nivas means 'place of residence'...
.
- Poonnkuyil Paadinal - S. P. BalasubrahmanyamS. P. BalasubrahmanyamSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...
, K. S. Chitra - Ethilum Valvlan Da - Kamal Hassan, S. P. BalasubrahmanyamS. P. BalasubrahmanyamSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...
- Mannil Engum - Mohammed RafiMohammed RafiMohammad Rafi , was an Indian playback singer whose career spanned four decades. He was awarded National Award and 6 Filmfare Awards. In 1967, he was honoured with the Padma Shri awarded by the Government of India....
- SrinivasSrinivasSrinivas/Sreenivas/Shrinivas/Shreenivas is a common given name for males in India. The word Srinivas is combination of two Sanskrit words, Sri and nivas . Sri means 'radiance' or 'diffusing light'; nivas means 'place of residence'...
, SwarnalathaSwarnalathaSwarnalatha was a Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga.... - Udai Oodu Pirakkavillai - S. P. BalasubrahmanyamS. P. BalasubrahmanyamSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...
, Sujatha - Instrumental Theme Music