Puthiya Vaarpugal

Puthiya Vaarpugal is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film co-written, produced and directed by Bharathiraja. The film stars K. Bhagyaraj and Rati Agnihotri, with G. Srinivasan, Goundamani, K. K. Soundar and Usharani in supporting roles. It revolves around a school teacher who falls in love with a woman in his village, their relationship is threatened by the lecherous village chief. Puthiya Vaarpugal is the first film produced by Bharathiraja. It also marked the acting debut of Agnihotri, and the first film for Bhagyaraj as a lead actor. While the story was written by R. Selvaraj, Bharathiraja wrote the screenplay and Bhagyaraj wrote the dialogues. Cinematography was handled by P. S. Nivas and editing by R. Bhaskaran. Filming was completed in 22 working days. Puthiya Vaarpugal was released on 14 April 1979. The film became a success, and won two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards: Second Best Film and Best Dialogue Writer (Bhagyaraj). It was remade in Telugu as Kotha Jeevithalu (1981) by the same director. Plot Shanmugamani comes to a village as a school teacher. Around the same time, another woman comes there as a social activist. Both work hard to establish themselves. They meet occasionally and exchange pleasantries and books as they are educated, and share common interests. Shanmugamani meets Jothi, daughter of the village temple musician and they fall in love with each other. The village chief is a lecherous man. His stooge Amavasai is keen to marry Jothi, but Jothi's father is not interested in the proposal. When the chief sees Jothi, he lusts for her. Knowing about her love for Shanmugamani, he orders her to yield to his lust and threatens to fire Shanmugamani if she refuses. Jothi slaps him and the chief awaits an opportunity to take revenge. Meanwhile, Shanmugamani approaches Jothi's father with his marriage proposal, and he accepts. Enraged with this development, the chief plots revenge.