Kadal Meengal

Directed by G. N. Rangarajan's "Kadal Meengal" is a melodrama that was made in 1981. It features Kamal Haasan, Sujatha, Nagesh, Swapna and Ambika. The movie is about a fisherman, Selvam and his wife, Bhagyam, who are separated by the circumstances of destiny. While Selvam is becoming a big shot in the city, completely unaware that Bhagyam is raising their son Rajan alone. Some years later, Rajan learns the truth about his father's past and seeks revenge.

Selvanayakam, also known as Selvam, is a poor but hardworking fisherman who falls in love with Bhagyam, a woman from his coastal village. After a dispute with the other people in the village, Selvam decides to move to a town nearby so he can continue fishing. Once again, a cyclone hits and Selvam is thought dead. However, Selvam did survive and returned home. Unable to locate Bhagyam and assuming she had moved on, he reestablishes his life and marries another woman. Eventually, he works his way up to become a magnate.

For her part, Bhagyam, with no knowledge of Selvam's fate, has given birth to Selvam's child and raises their son Rajan alone. She languishes alone, in despair and sorrow, without any aid. Many years later, Rajan learns of his father and becomes bitter, thinking of how Selvam severed ties to his family. Out of this resentment, Rajan partners with Selvam's business enemy and starts to compete, both personally and in business, with Selvam. The father and son clash without realising their deep bond. In time, the truth comes out, and after much conflict and emotion, Rajan finally learns the full story. The film ends with forgiveness, many years later, the long-separated family is reunited and begins the process of healing all of the misunderstandings and hurts of so many years.

"Kadal Meengal" is an impactful film about separation, identity and reconciliation. It presents a wealth of emotional depth through its multi-faceted characters and problematics. The film has a strong emotional spine, so that, combined with a good pace and evocative music, it resonates deeply with the audience. "Kadal Meengal" provides an admixture of high drama delivered with tenderness and poignancy, and is a meaningful emotional experience about love, loss and forgiveness.