Nammavar


Nammavar is a 1994 Tamil-language drama film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan, starring Kamal Haasan and Gautami in the lead roles, while Nagesh, Karan, Senthil, Kovai Sarala, and Srividya play supporting roles. Haasan plays a revolutionary history lecturer of a college. The film follows how he tries to reform the downtrodden college by his initiatives and its consequences.
The background score and music was composed by debutant Mahesh Mahadevan with cinematography by Madhu Ambat. The film was among the 1994 Deepavali releases and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil and Second Prize of Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film. It was dubbed in Telugu-language as Professor Viswam.

Plot

Dr. Selvam is the new vice principal and history professor in a college ruled by the donor's son Ramesh, who is essentially a spoiled brat, who, owing to the lack of parental guidance, turns into a good-for-nothing man who also influences the other students in the college by his tyrannical use of money and power. Sparks fly between the two, but Selvam manages to transform most of the college.
Vasanthi is also a professor in the same college who initially disapproves of Selvam's methods but later falls for him. Selvam is revealed to be a cancer patient, who is seeking answers to fight his inner demons by doing good to the college. When all his methods to insult Selvam fail, and when one of his gang turns against him, Ramesh retaliates by implicating his ex-friend's lover Nirmala, who is also the daughter of one of the college lecturers, Prabhakar Rao, in a brothel raid, which leads to her suicide. The inevitable final clash ensues, where Selvam still does not want to harm Ramesh and is still willing to offer him a second chance. In the end, Selvam and Vasanthi leave for the US seeking a cure for his cancer and hoping the college will be truly reformed when they return.

Cast

The title Nammavar was chosen by Ananthu, an assistant of K. Balachander. The first day shoot was at held at the Vijaya Vauhini studios, with Karan as a student and Kamal Haasan as professor in a classroom scenario.

Release

The film received positive reviews from critics. Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote "The filmmaker tries to be little different, at times moving away from cliches and conclusions. But he couldn't entirely do without them either." Indolink Tamil wrote "Kamal's taut and flawless Screenplay handled with aplomb by Sethumadhavan separates Nammavar from the run on the mill stuff churned out in the name of Tamil cinema from the mills in Kodambakkam. The story is nothing new, and is similar to Thalaivasal, which was a hit in 1993, but the manner in which its been handled makes this one of the most enjoyable movie going experiences in recent times, with the right measure of drama, action, pathos and humor supported by excellent acting and pleasing background music and good cinematography".
In 1995 at the National Film Awards, Nagesh was awarded Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal in the film, as well winning the Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special Prize.
Film historian S. Theodore Baskaran felt that Oru Thalai Ragam and Nammavar were the "two most representative Tamil films about students".

Soundtrack

This movie features 6 songs composed by Mahesh Mahadevan, while the lyrics were written by Pulamaipithan and Vairamuthu. This is Mahesh's debut film as music director. Prior to signing the project, he had been diagnosed with blood cancer and since, it has been debated that Kamal Haasan's cancer-ridden role in the film was a tribute to Mahesh. Before his death in 2002, Mahesh went on to work in the sound department in Kamal Haasan's Kuruthipunal and Aalavandhan. The soundtrack was also marked the debut of noted singer, Srinivas. Mahesh won the National Film Award - Special Mention for this film.

Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:
AwardCeremonyCategoryNomineeOutcome
National Film Awards42nd National Film AwardsNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in TamilR. Venkatarama Reddy
National Film Awards42nd National Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorNagesh
National Film Awards42nd National Film AwardsSpecial MentionMahesh Mahadevan
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards1994Best Film R. Venkatarama Reddy
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards1994Tamil Nadu State Film Award Special PrizeNagesh