Nammavar

Plot

Dr.Selvam (Kamal Haasan) is the new Vice-principal History professor in a college ruled by the Donor's son Ramesh (Karan) who is essentially a spoiled brat who owing 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, but 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 to be 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, Nirmala (Brinda), who is also the daughter of one of the college lecturers, Prabhakar Rao (Nagesh), 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

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

The film received positive reviews from critics, the film was a hit at the box office.The film ran successfully for 100 days at 48 theatres in Tamil Nadu. 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.

Box Office

After adjusting to inflation, the estimated gross is around ₹50-60 crore(US$7.4-9 million) as of 2016 against a budget of US$2.5 million(₹5 crore in 1994).

Soundtrack

This movie features 6 songs composed by Mahesh Mahadevan while lyrics written by Pulamaipithan and Vairamuthu. 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 sound department in Kamal Haasan's Kuruthipunal and Aalavandhan. The soundtrack was also marked the debut of noted singer, Srinivas.