Kizhakku Vaasal (Eng: East Gate) is a 1990 Tamil film directed by R. V. Udayakumar which starred Karthik, Revathy and Kushboo in the lead roles. The film was a mega hit and completed 250 days in Chennai and 150 days in other parts of Tamil Nadu. It was a turning point in the actor’s career.
The film takes place in a village after which the movie is titled. Thaayamma (Revathy) leads a cloistered life and does not visit anyone. She is worshipped as a holy lad upon whom the god comes down to give them orders periodically. Thaayamma was an orphan and is found by Janagaraj, who is a street performer. They go from house to house begging for food. One day a lonely woman, Sulakshana,(a secret prostitute of the village high man – Vijayakumar) accepts Thaayamma as her own daughter and Janagaraj as her brother, and makes them stay in her own house. After 10 years, Thaayamma attains age and some days later finds Sulakshana’s occupation. She and Janagaraj attempt to leave her house, but Sulakshana suddenly falls ill and this stops their exit . After Sulakshana’s death, Vijaykakumar, the head of the village, tries to take advantage of Thaayamma. But Thaayamma keeps dodging him and keeps herself chaste.
Ponnurangam (Karthik Muthuraman), the village hero, is a folk singer who performs with his mini troop in nearby village occasionally for festivals. He works as a part-time labour work for Vijayakumar. He has a strong crush for Selvi,(Kushboo), daughter of Valliyuran (Shanmuga Sundaram), rich head of neighboring village and brother-in-law of Vijayakumar . Selvi pranks Ponnurangam by asking his mother to meet her father with the wedding proposal. But Ponnurangam’s mother (Manorama) is beaten by Valliyuran’s men while she visits his house with the marriage proposal and Manorama dies in her sleep due to shame. Now Selvi falls in love with Ponnurangam, but he is so dejected with life. Meanwhile, Vijayakumar arranges marriage of his spoilt son (Thiyagu) with Selvi to end their feud of 20 years and to incorporate all of their properties under his son. Ponnurangam is asked to perform at Valliyuran’s house the night before marriage. During the end of the song, Selvi apologises to Ponnurangam for his mother’s death and gives him money which he coldly rejects. Thiyagu sees the sequence and there is a fight between the families and marriage is stopped. Next day, Thiyagu and his men fight with Ponnurangam and stab him in the back with a poisoned knife. Thaayamma takes care of Ponnurangam and love blossoms between them. Ponnurangam plans to marry Thaayamma. Vijayakumar tries to thwart them, by abducting and raping Thaayamma. He kills Ponnurangam’s friend Maakan (Chinni Jayanth), but he is mobbed by the villagers and is beaten up. The last scene shows Ponnurangam and Thaayamma walking away from the camera on a road, together.
Directed by R. V. Udayakumar
Produced by G. Thyagarajan & G. Saravanan
Written by M. S. Madhu
Screenplay by R. V. Udayakumar
Story by M. S. Madhu
Starring Karthik, Revathy, Kushboo, Chinni Jayanth, Manorama, Vijayakumar, Janagaraj
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography Abdul Rehman
Edited by G. R. Anil Malnad
Production Sathya Jyothi Films
Distributed by Sathya Jyothi Films
Release date 12 July 1990
Country India
Language Tamil
Visitor Rating: 2 Stars
Visitor Rating: 1 Stars
Visitor Rating: 2 Stars