| Uthiripookkal | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Mahendran |
| Screenplay by | Mahendran |
| Based on | "Chitrannai" by Pudhumaipithan |
| Produced by | Radha Balakrishnan |
| Starring | Vijayan Ashwini Madhu Malini |
| Cinematography | Ashok Kumar |
| Edited by | B. Lenin |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Dimple Creations |
Release date |
|
Running time | 114–143 minutes[a] |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Uthiripookkal (transl. Unstrung Flowers) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language drama film, written and directed by Mahendran. Based on the short story "Chitrannai" (transl. Stepmother) by Pudhumaipithan, it stars Vijayan, Ashwini and Madhu Malini. The film focuses on a sadistic man who makes life miserable for everyone in his village, including his wife and children.
While adapting the short story, Mahendran made substantial changes to the screenplay, especially with the treatment of the lead character. The film was produced by his friend Radha Balakrishnan, photographed by Ashok Kumar and edited by B. Lenin in his debut, with music composed by Ilaiyaraaja. It is the acting debut for many, including Ashwini, Charuhasan, Bhoopathy, and Charulatha. The film was shot primarily at Palapatti near Mettupalayam and Vellipalayam.
Uthiripookkal was released on 19 October 1979. The film was a critical and commercial success, running for 175 days in theatres. Mahendran won the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director and S. Janaki won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer. In 2013, News18 included the film in its list of 100 greatest Indian films of all time. Although no print of Uthiripookkal is known to survive, the film is still available on home video.[3] The film was remade in Telugu as Pasidi Moggalu (1980).[4]
- ^ Rajadhyaksha & Willemen 1998, p. 433.
- ^ da Cunha, Uma (ed.). "Indian Cinema '79/'80" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. pp. 133–134. Archived (PDF) from the original on 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- ^ Venkateswaran, N. (20 March 2011). "The chronicler of Kollywood". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 19 September 2015. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Pasidi Moggalu (1980)". AP Talkies. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 6 January 2025.
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