Arangetra Velai (1980) Review in 2025
Arangetra Velai is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by K. Balachander, starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth. The movie revolves around the life of a young man who returns to his village after a long time and gets involved in a love triangle.
Family-Friendly Rating
Is this movie suitable for family viewing?
Not recommended for family viewing due to mature themes and some violence.
CineReview Recommendation
Arangetra Velai is a must-watch for fans of Tamil cinema, but it's not a must-watch for everyone. If you're a fan of drama and romance, you'll enjoy this film, but if you're looking for something more action-packed, you might want to look elsewhere.
Spoiler Alert!
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The movie follows the story of Ravi, a young man who returns to his village after a long time and gets involved in a love triangle with his childhood friend, Saroja, and a wealthy businessman's daughter, Sridevi. As the story unfolds, Ravi's past comes back to haunt him, and he must choose between his love for Saroja and his loyalty to his family.
Review Details
story7.00/10
The story is engaging and explores themes of love, loyalty, and family. However, it feels a bit predictable and lacks originality.
acting9.00/10
The acting is superb, with all three leads delivering outstanding performances. Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Rajinikanth bring their characters to life with ease and conviction.
characters8.00/10
The characters are well-developed and complex, with each actor bringing their A-game to their respective roles. However, some characters feel a bit one-dimensional at times.
direction7.50/10
K. Balachander's direction is solid, but he fails to bring out the full potential of the story. The pacing is a bit slow, and some scenes feel a bit dragged out.
cinematography8.00/10
The cinematography is beautiful, with some stunning shots of the Tamil Nadu countryside. However, the color palette is a bit dull, and some scenes feel a bit over-lit.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Arangetra Velai is a beautifully shot film with outstanding performances from its leads. The story is engaging, and the themes are timely and relevant.
Cons
The pacing is a bit slow, and some scenes feel a bit dragged out. The color palette is a bit dull, and some characters feel a bit one-dimensional.
Notable Quotes
"'Arangetra Velai' is a film that will make you laugh, cry, and think."
"'Love is a many-splendored thing, but it's also a many-splendored headache.'"
