Vaidehi Kathirunthal

Plot

Vellaisamy (Vijayakanth) is an unkempt derelict who lives by the village temple doing menial jobs to survive but has an impressive singing ability, while Vaidhegi (Revathi) is a young widow who lives in the village with her sorrowing, alcoholic father. One day when some villagers spot Vellaisamy scribbling Vaidhegi's name on the temple walls, rumours start flying around. When a distressed Vaidhegi approaches and questions Vellaisamy, he reveals his tragic past and how he lost the woman of his affection, also named Vaidhegi. Vellaisamy and Vaidhegi now share a mutual respect for each other's melancholic lives but soon realize they need to work together to unite a young couple in love against the wrath of the whole village.

Cast

Soundtrack

The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Production and after release

Director Sundarrajan said in a function that Ilayaraja was having 7 songs composed and he wants it to be released in a single film. Then later he came with the script to match the situation of those songs and Ilayaraja accepted for this film. Vijayakanth agreed to play a "soft role" at a time when he starred in many action films and was branded an action hero. Director Sundarrajan stated that the actual producers were against Vijayakanth playing the lead role in the film but that he insisted on him and made the film with another producer. He also said that this film gave Vijayakanth a big break. Sify wrote that it was one of the films that made him the "Raja of B and C stations".

The quote "Petromax light-e than venuma" ("Do you want only the petromax light?") spoken by Goundamani in the film is a popular phrase in Tamil Nadu and refers to someone wanting and persisting on something particular. The Chennai based brand Dude Thamizha prints T-shirts that carry the dialogue which are their bestsellers too. The character name of Goundamani, All in All Azhagu Raja, was also used as the title for director M. Rajesh's 2013 film.