Achamillai Achamillai

Thenmozhi is a textile factory worker in a village. She develops a liking for Ulaganathan, an idealist in the same village who is respected for his integrity and selflessness. Upon the approval of Ulaganathan's father Brahmanayagam, Ulaganathan and Thenmozhi marry on 15 August, India's Independence Day. The couple lead a happy life and work for the welfare of the village.

Members from the Yellow political party want Ulaganathan to join them. At first he declines, but they lure him by promising to provide him with a ministerial position if the party wins. Thenmozhi becomes upset with the developments as she notices a significant change in Ulaganathan's attitude. She argues with him frequently about this, but he is unfazed. When Thenmozhi becomes pregnant, she goes to her visually impaired father's home for delivering the child.

By the time Thenmozhi returns with their child, a son, Ulaganathan has left the Yellow party to join the opposing Purple party, the result of party switching. He also shifts to a new house gifted by the Purple party. Thenmozhi, who is unable to accept his lack of loyalty, futilely argues with him. He orders her to remain completely obedient to him without arguing or advising. The rift between them becomes wider when Thenmozhi refuses to satisfy Ulaganathan's sexual desires, citing his lack of loyalty.

Alangaram, who previously wanted to marry Ulaganathan, becomes his mistress and Ulaganathan neglects Thenmozhi. Alangaram and her mother slowly take control over the household, with Brahmanayagam powerless. Thenmozhi's brother Suthanthiram, who had run away in childhood, returns and fights for his sister's rights, but fails as he is silenced by Ulaganathan with money. All of this causes Thenmozhi to leave with her child to her father's home. Once when she is not home, the child which was left in her father's custody, takes infant steps, and is washed away in a flood. Ulaganathan arranges for his father-in-law's eye surgery, and Thenmozhi becomes isolated with everyone supporting Ulaganathan.

With Ulaganathan's party having become weaker, he is advised by the party chief to assemble more members to make the party stronger. Ulaganathan plans to organise a communal riot in the village to lure people to his side. Alangaram overhears this, tells Thenmozhi, but drowns in quicksand when escaping Ulaganathan's henchmen. Thenmozhi asks Ulaganathan to end his atrocities and surrender. But he mocks her and advises her to join him for the upcoming Independence Day ceremony, which is also their wedding anniversary.

The next day, Thenmozhi comes to the ceremony, where a statue of Mahatma Gandhi is to be unveiled by Ulaganathan, with a large garland of flowers and garlands him. As Ulaganathan expresses happiness about his wife's apparent return to his side, she takes a knife hidden in the garland and stabs him to death. The police arrest Thenmozhi and Suthanthiram sombrely sits under the Gandhi statue.

{{Cast listing|

• Rajesh as Ulaganathan{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=463}}
• Saritha as Thenmozhi{{sfn|Rajadhyaksha|Willemen|1998|p=463}}
• Pavithra as Alangaram{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=86}}
• Ahalaya as Sudali
• Delhi Ganesh as Brahmanayagam
• Delhi Nayakar as Suthanthiram (credited as Prabhakar)
• Charle as Patchi (Petchiappan)
• Jeyagopi as Palavesam{{Cite web |last=Basumani K |date=6 July 2017 |title=திறமைசாலி நடிகர்களுக்கு மரியாதையே இல்லை! - வருந்தும் சென்னை தொலைக்காட்சியின் முதல் நடிகர் |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/91500-tv-actor-gopi-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704021929/https://cinema.vikatan.com/tamil-cinema/91500-tv-actor-gopi-interview |archive-date=4 July 2022 |access-date=3 July 2022 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}
• Vairam Krishnamoorthy
• Veeraiah
• Radha Ravi as a henchman (uncredited)

}}

The film was produced by Kavithalayaa Productions, Balachander's production house. Apart from direction, he took charge of the story, screenplay, and dialogue. Cinematography and editing were handled by B. S. Lokanath and N. R. Kittu, respectively.{{Sfn|Banerjee|Srivastava|1988|p=12}} The song "Odukira Thanniyila" was shot at a waterfall in Courtallam and most of the scenes were shot in places near Courtallam.{{Cite news |last=Aiyappan |first=Ashameera |date=11 July 2020 |title=K Balachander: A master, a mentor, a father |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/jul/11/-k-balachander-a-master-a-mentor-a-father-2168087.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716052959/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2020/jul/11/-k-balachander-a-master-a-mentor-a-father-2168087.html |archive-date=16 July 2020 |access-date=21 March 2022 |work=The New Indian Express}}{{Cite magazine |last=பாலச்சந்தர் |first=கே. |author-link=K. Balachander |date=7 May 1995 |title=நினைவலைகள் – 40 |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1995-05-07/kalki1995-05-07.pdf |access-date=17 April 2024 |magazine=Kalki |pages=56–59 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}}

Achamillai Achamillai is a satire on the Indian political system. Its underlying theme is party switching, a common phenomenon that exists in the country's political system, and its impact on small-time politicians.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=86}} Balachander added a dwarf character named Suthanthiram ({{Translation|Freedom}}) to metaphorically depict that the freedom of the nation is stunted.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=87}}

The soundtrack was composed by debutante V. S. Narasimhan.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|page=87}}{{Cite web |title=Achamillai Achamillai |url=https://avdigital.in/products/achamillai-achamillai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120214000/https://avdigital.in/products/achamillai-achamillai |archive-date=20 January 2021 |access-date=1 April 2022 |website=AVDigital}} He claimed he had been recommended to Balachander by Ilaiyaraaja.{{Cite web |date=11 July 2022 |title=வைரமுத்துவின் கயமைத்தனம்... |url=https://patrikai.com/vairamuthus-deceit-speech-in-kb-sir-memorial-function/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221022144132/https://patrikai.com/vairamuthus-deceit-speech-in-kb-sir-memorial-function/ |archive-date=22 October 2022 |access-date=22 October 2022 |website=Patrikai |language=ta}} The songs "Aavaram Poovu" and "Odukira Thanniyila" attained popularity. According to Erode Thamizh Inban, the song "Kaiyila Kaasu" for which he wrote lyrics was banned by radio stations as it was too political in nature.{{Cite magazine |last=ராணிமைந்தன் |date=30 July 2000 |title=பதிலென்ன பாலசேகரன்? |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2000-07-30/page/n81/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230630162932/https://archive.org/details/kalki2000-07-30/page/n81/mode/2up |archive-date=30 June 2023 |access-date=30 June 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=80 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}}

{{track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singers

| title1 = Aavaram Poovu

| note1 =

| writer1 =

| lyrics1 = Vairamuthu

| music1 =

| extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela

| length1 =

| title2 = Karisal Tharisu

| note2 =

| writer2 =

| lyrics2 = Erode Thamizhanban

| music2 =

| extra2 = Vani Jairam

| length2 =

| title3 = Kaiyila Kaasu

| note3 =

| writer3 =

| lyrics3 = Erode Thamizhanban

| music3 =

| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| length3 =

| title4 = Odukira Thanniyila

| note4 =

| writer4 =

| lyrics4 = Vairamuthu

| music4 =

| extra4 = Malaysia Vasudevan, P. Susheela

| length4 =

| title5 = Pudhiru Poda

| note5 =

| writer5 =

| lyrics5 = Vairamuthu

| music5 =

| extra5 = Malaysia Vasudevan, S. Janaki

| length5 =

}}

Achamillai Achamillai was released on 18 May 1984 to critical acclaim. The film had a 100-day run in theatres and was commercially successful.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|pages=86–87}} It was the only Tamil film to be screened at the 'Indian Panorama' 10th International Film Festival of India in 1985.{{Cite web |title=Indian Cinema 1984 |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1984Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1984.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102636/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1984Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1984.pdf |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=31 December 2014 |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |page=5}} A contemporary review from Ananda Vikatan stated that while everyone at the time was using cinema for entertainment, Balachander used it as a weapon to attack the evils of the society.{{Cite web |date=3 June 1984 |title=சினிமா விமர்சனம்: அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை |url=https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/41271--2 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220322030533/https://www.vikatan.com/arts/nostalgia/41271--2 |archive-date=22 March 2022 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}} Jayamanmadhan of Kalki praised the acting of the star cast, Narasimhan's music and Balachander's direction.{{Cite magazine |last=ஜெயமன்மதன் |author-link=Subha (writers) |date=10 June 1984 |title=அச்சமில்லை அச்சமில்லை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1984-06-10/page/n2/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230209060746/https://archive.org/details/kalki1984-06-10/page/n2/mode/2up |archive-date=9 February 2023 |access-date=1 May 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=2 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}} The film received criticism for showcasing violence. Some critics were concerned about the idea that even educated people would be corrupted if they come to politics, while a few others opined that the film did not provide a solution for the problem.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|page=87}}

Achamillai Achamillai is widely regarded as one of the finest that Balachander has directed. In a 2006 interview with The Hindu, Balachander listed the film as one of his favourites.{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=10 February 2006 |title=At 100, going strong |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/at-100-going-strong/article3217145.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227043754/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/at-100-going-strong/article3217145.ece |archive-date=27 February 2018 |access-date=1 January 2015 |work=The Hindu}} G. Dhananjayan, in his 2011 book The Best of Tamil Cinema: 1977 to 2010, called the film a bold attempt by K. Balachander after Thanneer Thanneer (1981), and lauded the director for his dialogue filled with sarcasm.{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|page=87}} Analysing the dominance of female characters in Balachander's films, Baradwaj Rangan listed the heroine of Achamillai Achamillai as an example.{{Cite news |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=24 December 2014 |title=A ladies' man |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tribute-to-k-balachander-by-baradwaj-rangan/article6722637.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225123025/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/tribute-to-k-balachander-by-baradwaj-rangan/article6722637.ece |archive-date=25 December 2014 |access-date=1 January 2015 |work=The Hindu}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |title=32nd National Film Festival – 1985 |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm32ndNFAAward.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926054317/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm32ndNFAAward.aspx |archive-date=26 September 2013 |access-date=31 December 2014 |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |page=50 |language=hi}}

{{Cite web |last=Raman |first=Sruthi Ganapathy |date=2 September 2017 |title=August 15 is a character in K Balachander's 'Achamillai Achamillai' |url=https://scroll.in/reel/846755/august-15-is-a-character-in-k-balachanders-achamillai-achamillai |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129105012/https://scroll.in/reel/846755/august-15-is-a-character-in-k-balachanders-achamillai-achamillai |archive-date=29 November 2021 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Scroll.in}}

{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Pavithra |date=24 December 2014 |title=K Balachander's finest films |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachanders-finest-films/20141224.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145655/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/k-balachanders-finest-films/20141224.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=1 January 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}

}}

• {{Cite book |last1=Banerjee |first1=Shampa |title=One Hundred Indian Feature Films: An Annotated Filmography |last2=Srivastava |first2=Anil |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=1988 |isbn=978-0-8240-9483-6}}
• {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
• {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Willemen |publisher=British Film Institute and Oxford University Press |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994}}

• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{K. Balachander}}

{{NationalFilmAwardBestFeatureFilmTamil}}

{{Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil}}

Category:1980s Indian films

Category:1980s political drama films

Category:1980s political satire films

Category:1980s Tamil-language films

Category:1984 films

Category:Best Tamil Feature Film National Film Award winners

Category:Fiction about mariticide

Category:Films directed by K. Balachander

Category:Films scored by V. S. Narasimhan

Category:Films with screenplays by K. Balachander

Category:Indian political drama films

Category:Indian political satire films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films

Category:Tamil-language political drama films

Category:Tamil-language political satire films

Category:Works featuring villain protagonists

{{Improve categories|date=April 2024}}