Athma (transl. Soul) is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language supernatural thriller film directed by Pratap Pothen. The film stars Ramki, Rahman, Nassar, Gautami and Kasthuri. It is based on the book The Miracle by Irving Wallace.[1] The film was released on 9 July 1993.[2]
| Athma | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Pratap Pothen |
| Screenplay by | Pratap Pothen |
| Story by | Shanmughapriyan |
| Based on | The Miracle by Irving Wallace |
| Produced by | Ajitha Hari |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Madhu Ambat |
| Edited by | B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Supriya International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 140 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Plot
editThis article needs an improved plot summary. (June 2022) |
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
edit- Ramki as Saravanan / Vignesh
- Rahman as Raghu
- Nassar as Hari
- Gautami as Divya
- Kasthuri as Uma
- Vinodhini as Pathma
- Vaani
- C. R. Vijayakumari as Guhai Amma
- Vijayachander as Raghu's father and Nagalinga Siddhar
- Riyaz Khan as Naveen
- Senthil as Meiyappan
- Vikas Rishi as Vikas
- Vimalraj as Nambiyatri
- Sathyapriya as Naveen's mother
- Sangeetha as Saravanan's sister
- Surekha
- Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Kattabomman
- A. K. Veerasamy as Esakki Muthu
- Chinni Jayanth as Erimalai
- R. S. Shivaji as Shiva
- Subbu Panchu Arunachalam as Anil
- Vaithy
- LIC Narasimhan
- Ramesh Khanna
- Thidir Kanniah
- Thalapathi Dinesh
- Vichithra in a special appearance
Soundtrack
editThe soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja (except "Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil"), with lyrics written by Vaali.[3][4]
| Song | Singer(s) | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| "Inarul Tharum" | T. N. Seshagopalan | 4:56 |
| "Kannale Kadhal Kavithai" | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki | 4:44 |
| "Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil" | S. Janaki | 4:13 |
| "Vaarayo Unnake Saran" | Mano | 4:28 |
| "Vidiyum Pozhudhu" | Mano | 3:19 |
| "Vilakku Vaipom" | S. Janaki | 5:05 |
Reception
editMalini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote, "Aathma is a slick presentation from Prathap and the main story has been efficiently handled. But he could have avoided slipping into the formula pattern now and then".[5] K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times said, "It takes courage to attempt a movie like this, and Prathap's story grabs your attention".[1]
References
edit- ^ a b Vijiyan, K. (25 September 1993). "A plot that's different from the norm". New Straits Times. p. 24. Archived from the original on 13 August 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2016 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Athma". The Indian Express. 9 July 1993. p. 4. Retrieved 28 February 2024 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Aathma (1993)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
- ^ "Athma". AVDigital. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Mannath, Malini (16 July 1993). "Tant(r)alising". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 23 February 2024 – via Google News Archive.