Athma (film)


Athma is a 1993 Tamil language horror film directed by Prathap K. Pothan. The film features Ramki, Rahman, Nassar, Gouthami and Kasthuri in lead roles. The film, produced by Ajitha Hari, had musical score by Ilaiyaraaja and was released on 30 July 1993 to positive reviews.

Plot

Raghu, an atheist archaeologist, and his father went to an isolated village for research. During the research, his father disappears mysteriously and Raghu finds out a strange prophecy: God will come to earth on Purnima day at the Nagakali Amman temple and the people who will submerge completely under the waterfall near the Nagakali Amman temple will be cured of any disease. His colleague Pathma informs her blind friend Divya who is a journalist and the news reaches the public. Pathma is in love with Naveen, who is in the final stages of cancer. Soon, an atheist terrorist group, led by Saravanan, try to destroy the temple. Saravanan has a tragic past: his sister and his brother-in-law were a devotee who was brutally killed by the temple's donor. In the meantime, the police officer Hari, Divya's brother, is charged with eradicating the terrorist group. Pathma believes in this prophecy, so she marries Naveen and takes him to the temple. Divya compels Hari to come with him to restore her sight and he agrees to do so. Few days before the God's arrival, the Nagakali Amman temple is overcrowded. A race against the clock starts.

Cast

The film score and the soundtrack were composed by film composer Ilaiyaraaja. The soundtrack, released in 1993, features 6 tracks with lyrics written by Vaali.
TrackSongSingerDuration
1"Inarul Tharum"T. N. Seshagopalan4:56
2"Kannale Kadhal Kavithai"K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki4:44
3"Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil"S. Janaki4:13
4"Vaarayo Unnake Saran"Mano4:28
5"Vidiyum Pozhudhu"Mano3:19
6"Vilakku Vaipom"S. Janaki5:05

Reception

The film received positive reviews. K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times said, "It takes courage to attempt a movie like this, and Prathap's story grabs your attention".