Nizhal Nijamagiradhu (Eng: Illusion Becomes Reality) is a 1978 Tamil Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan, Sarath Babu, Sumithra, Hanumanthu in lead roles and introduced Sobha.
It was a remake of Malayalam film Adimakal directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan which itself was adapted from a novel (mentioned in title credits). The film was also earlier remade in Telugu as Chilakamma Cheppindi (1977), directed by Eranki Sharma, with Rajinikanth in the lead role.
Venkatachalam (Sarath Babu) and Indumathi (Sumithra) are siblings. Indumathi hates men and she is adamant that she will never get married. Sanjeevi (Kamal) is a friend of Venkatachalam and often visits his house. Sanjeevi likes Indumathi’s attitude and starts teasing her many times, they often quarrel as well. Though Indumathi too starts liking him, she is too egotistic to show her romantic side to Sanjeevi as she doesn’t want to remove her stubborn attitude ‘mask’.
Thilagam (Sobha) is a young girl from the village who comes to work as a servant in Venkatachalam’s house. Her innocence draws Venkatachalam towards her and they get intimate. She becomes pregnant but Venkatachalam refuses her. Thilagam is driven out of Venkatachalam’s house and gets support from Sanjeevi and Kasi (Hanumanthu), a person who is hard of hearing,also worked at Venkatachalam’s house and has affection towards Thilagam. Sanjeevi provides Thilagam with lodging and requests Kasi to stay with her and look after her. Thilagam delivers a child.
Months later, after Sanjeevi and Kasi appealed to his conscience, Venkatachalam repents and is ready to accept Thilagam, but she decides to live her life with Kasi, who took care of her during her pregnancy. Indumathi, meanwhile, throws away her ‘stubborn’ mask and asks Sanjeevi to accept her. Sanjeevi accepts her love.
Directed by K. Balachander
Produced by P. R. Govindarajan & J. Duraisamy
Screenplay by K. Balachander
Based on Pamman’ s Novel Adimakal
Starring Kamal Haasan, Sumithra, Sobha, Sarath Babu
Music by M. S. Viswanathan
Cinematography B. S. Lokanath
Edited by N. R. Kittu
Production Kalakendra Movies
Distributed by Kalakendra Movies
Release dates 24 March 1978
Country India
Language Tamil
