Pasi (film)

1979 Indian film

Pasi

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Durai
Written by| Durai
Produced by| G. Lalitha
Starring|

* Shoba
* Vijayan
* Delhi Ganesh

Cinematography| V. Ranga
Edited by| M. Vellaichamy
Music by| Shankar–Ganesh

Production
company

Sunitha Cine Arts

Release date

* 21 December 1979 (1979-12-21)

Country| India
Language| Tamil

Pasi (/pəsi/ transl. Hunger) is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Durai. It stars Shoba, Vijayan and Delhi Ganesh. The film, released on 21 December 1979,[1] won two awards each at the National Film Awards, the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, and the Filmfare Awards South. It was remade in Hindi by Durai as Pet Pyaar Aur Paap.

## Plot

[edit]

Muniyandi, a cycle-rickshaw puller, is a road-side dweller along with his wife Valliamma and their seven children – two daughters and five sons. Despite being the sole breadwinner of his family, Muniyandi spends the majority of his meager earnings on liquor. His wife struggles to make ends meet with the remaining amount. Her friend Rakkamma, a street food vendor, lends financial support to Valliamma's family.

The educated Krishna, one of Muniyandi's sons, elopes with a girl and separates himself from the family. Muniyandi's daughter Kuppamma, along with her friend Chellamma contribute a small income to the family by picking up rags on the roads. Rangan, a lorry driver, befriends Kuppamma and offers assistance to her whenever she is in need of any help. They both get close to each other, and their friendship leads to a physical relationship. When Valliamma gets to know this, she commits suicide, fearing that Kuppamma's act has brought disgrace to the family.

Meanwhile, Kuppamma gets shocked when she learns that Rangan is already married. With the intention of not disclosing Rangan's identity, she keeps herself away from him. During this time, Kuppamma finds out that she's pregnant. Despite the advice of fellow road-side dwellers to abort the child, she refuses to do so. She also protects Rangan's identity by informing her relatives that her lover died in an accident.

Knowing that she is about to deliver their child, Kuppamma wishes to meet Rangan. But Rangan had relocated to another locality after she turned down his support. When Rangan's wife gets to know about the relationship, she empathises with Kuppamma and insists that Rangan bring her to their home. When Rangan reaches the slum, he finds Kuppamma in the throes of labour pain. Kuppamma dies soon after, upon delivering their child. Rangan and his wife then decide to adopt the child as penance for Rangan's sins.

## Cast

[edit]

* Shoba as Kuppamma
* Vijayan as Rangan
* Delhi Ganesh as Muniyandi
* Senthil as Aarumugam
* Praveena Bhagyaraj as Roopa
* Tambaram Lalitha as Valliamma
* S. N. Parvathy as Rakkamma
* Sathya as Chellamma
* Narayanan as Sound Kannaiya
* I.S.Ramachandran as common man
* Jayabharathi as Gowri
* Suruli Rajan as Beggar / Rickshaw Owner

Guest appearance

* Kamal Haasan as himself

## Production

[edit]

Durai, then known for making commercial films, made Pasi in a realistic manner by compromising on commercial aspects such as songs and dance sequences. The background score was composed by Shankar–Ganesh. The Government of Tamil Nadu provided a subsidy of ₹ 100,000 for the film.[2] The filming was held at slum-dwelling areas at Chennai.[3]

## Release and reception

[edit]

Released on 21 December 1979, the film met with unanimous critical acclaim. It was equally successful at the box-office, running for more than 100 days in the theatres.[2] In 1984, Durai remade the film in Hindi as Pet Pyaar Aur Paap.[4][5]

A review from the Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, dated 13 January 1980, appreciated the film for its realistic depiction of the lives of the poor. It also praised Shobha's acting and Ranga's camerawork. Durai's script and dialogues received equal praise but the end credits of the film were criticised as it was considered as not being appropriate to the characters of the film.[6] Kausigan of Kalki praised the story that makes you feel as if you are standing and watching the real life of the slum dwellers, the natural dialogues and the excellent direction of Durai and Ranga, who has skillfully navigated every corner of the slum with his camera, are worthy of praise and concluded the film satisfies the mind.[7] Naagai Dharuman of Anna praised the performances, cinematography, dialogues.[8] The same year it was screened at the Tashkent Film Festival.[9]

The film served as a launchpad for Senthil, who would later go onto establish himself as one of the popular comedians in Tamil cinema in the 1980s.[10] Another debutante Sathya, who played Shobha's friend Chellamma, acquired the prefix "Pasi" after the film.[11][2]

Shortly after receiving the Best Actress award at the 27th National Film Awards and a day before the 100th day celebration of the film's success, Shobha committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Madras (now Chennai).[2][12]

## Accolades

[edit]

National Film Awards

* 1980 – Silver Lotus Award – Best Actress – Shoba[13]
* 1980 – National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil

Filmfare Awards South[14]

* 1979 – Best Tamil Film (Durai)[15]
* 1979 – Best Tamil Actress (Shobha)

Tamil Nadu State Film Awards[2]

* 1980 – Best Film (first prize) (G. Lalitha)
* 1980 – Special Prize for Best Actor (Delhi Ganesh)

## See also

[edit]

* List of Indian films without songs

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 260.
2. ^ a b c d e Dhananjayan 2014, p. 261.
3. ^ "துரையின் "பசி"". Anna (in Tamil). 25 November 1979. p. 4\. Archived from the original on 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
4. ^ Rangan, Baradwaj (4 February 2022). "'I Am Blingbling Bappi-Da'". Outlook. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
5. ^ Rangan 2014, p. 212.
6. ^ "சினிமா விமர்சனம்: பசி". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 13 January 1980. Archived from the original on 11 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2022.
7. ^ கௌசிகன் (20 January 1980). "பசி". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 62\. Archived from the original on 28 July 2022. Retrieved 12 December 2022.
8. ^ தருமன், நாகை (20 January 1980). "பசி". Anna (in Tamil). p. 4\. Archived from the original on 27 May 2025. Retrieved 27 May 2025 – via Endangered Archives Programme.
9. ^ "Films selected for Tashkent Film Festival Direct". Parliamentary Debates: Official Report. Vol. 123\. Council of States, Secretariat. 1982. p. 133.
10. ^ Umashanker, Sudha (8 June 2001). "From scratch to success". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
11. ^ Krishnamachari, Suganthy (4 April 2002). "Suspense-filled melodrama". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 10 November 2003. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
12. ^ "Shobha Mahendra death case: While mystery persists, rumours go on". India Today. 28 January 2014. Archived from the original on 10 August 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2015.
13. ^ Ashok Kumar, S. R (3 May 2002). "It's a heavy price to pay". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 July 2003. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
14. ^ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1982. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2021.
15. ^ Rare Video of 27th Annual Film Fare Awards – 1980 (Voice Over – Radhika Sarathkumar). Thamizh Thirai. 23 February 2014. Archived from the original on 10 December 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018 – via YouTube.

## Bibliography

[edit]

* Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. OCLC 898765509.
* Rangan, Baradwaj (2014). Dispatches from the Wall Corner : A Journey through Indian Cinema. Tranquebar Press, Westland Ltd. ISBN 978-9384030568.

## External links

[edit]

* Pasi at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Durai

* Avalum Penn Thaane (1974)
* Oru Kudumbathin Kathai (1975)
* Raghupathi Raghavan Rajaram (1977)
* Paavathin Sambalam (1978)
* Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam (1978)
* Sadhurangam (1978)
* Aayiram Jenmangal (1978)
* Pasi (1979)
* Neeya? (1979)
* Oli Pirandhadhu (1980)
* Maria My Darling (1980)
* Kilinjalgal (1981)
* Thunai (1982)
* Velicham Vitharunna Penkutty (1982)
* Do Gulab (1983)
* Pet Pyaar Aur Paap (1984)
* Veli (1985)
* Oru Manithan Oru Manaivi (1986)
* Palaivanathil Pattampoochi (1988)
* Pudhiya Athiyayam (1990)

* v
* t
* e

Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Film

* Naanum Oru Penn (1964)
* Server Sundaram (1965)
* Thiruvilaiyadal (1966)
* Ramu (1967)
* Karpooram (1968)
* Lakshmi Kalyanam (1969)
* Adimai Penn (1970)
* Engirundho Vandhaal (1971)
* Babu (1972)
* Pattikada Pattanama (1973)
* Bharatha Vilas (1974)
* Dikkatra Parvathi (1975)
* Apoorva Raagangal (1976)
* Annakili (1977)
* Bhuvana Oru Kelvi Kuri (1978)
* Mullum Malarum (1979)
* Pasi (1980)
* Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1981)
* Thanneer Thanneer (1982)
* Enkeyo Ketta Kural (1983)
* Mann Vasanai (1984)
* Achamillai Achamillai (1985)
* Sindhu Bhairavi (1986)
* Samsaram Adhu Minsaram (1987)
* Vedham Pudhithu (1988)
* Agni Natchathiram (1989)
* Apoorva Sagodharargal (1990)
* Pudhu Vasantham (1991)
* Chinna Thambi (1992)
* Roja (1993)
* Gentleman (1994)
* Karuthamma (1995)
* Bombay (1996)
* Indian (1997)
* Bharathi Kannamma (1998)
* Natpukkaga (1999)
* Sethu (2000)
* Kandukondain Kandukondain (2001)
* Aanandham (2002)
* Azhagi (2003)
* Pithamagan (2004)
* Autograph (2005)
* Anniyan (2006)
* Veyil (2007)
* Paruthiveeran (2008)
* Subramaniapuram (2009)
* Naadodigal (2010)
* Mynaa (2011)
* Aadukalam (2012)
* Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2013)
* Thanga Meenkal (2014)
* Kaththi (2015)
* Kaaka Muttai (2016)
* Joker (2017)
* Aramm (2018)
* Pariyerum Perumal (2019)
* Jai Bhim (2020-2021)

* v
* t
* e

National Film Award for Best Tamil Feature Film

1954–1960|

* Malaikkallan (1954)
*  – (1955)
*  – (1956)
*  – (1957)
*  – (1958)
* Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959)
* Parthiban Kanavu (1960)

Certificate of Merit|

* Andha Naal and Edhir Paradhathu (1954)
* Mangaiyar Thilakam (1955)
* Kula Deivam (1956)
* Mudhalali (1957)
* Thanga Padhumai and Annaiyin Aanai (1958)
* Veerapandiya Kattabomman and Kalyana Parisu (1959)
* Paadhai Theriyudhu Paar and Kalathur Kannamma (1960)

1961–1980|

* Kappalottiya Thamizhan (1961)
* Nenjil Or Aalayam (1962)
* Naanum Oru Penn (1963)
* Kai Kodutha Deivam (1964)
* Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum (1965)
* Ramu (1966)
* Aalayam (1967)
* Thillana Mohanambal (1968)
* Iru Kodugal (1969)
* Raman Ethanai Ramanadi (1970)
* Veguli Penn (1971)
* Pattikada Pattanama (1972)
* Dikkatra Parvathi (1973)
*  – (1974)
* Apoorva Raagangal (1975)
*  – (1976)
* Agraharathil Kazhutai (1977)
*  – (1978)
* Pasi (1979)
* Nenjathai Killathe (1980)

Certificate of Merit|

* Pasamalar and Kumudham (1961)
* Annai and Sarada (1962)
* Karpagam and Karnan (1963)
* Server Sundaram (1964)
* Thiruvilaiyadal (1965)
* Discontinued after 1965

1981–2000|

* Thanneer Thanneer (1981)
* Ezhavathu Manithan (1982)
* Oru Indhiya Kanavu (1983)
* Achamillai Achamillai (1984)
* Muthal Mariyathai (1985)
* Mouna Ragam (1986)
* Veedu (1987)
*  – (1988)
* Pudhea Paadhai (1989)
* Anjali (1990)
* Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1991)
* Thevar Magan (1992)
* Mahanadhi (1993)
* Nammavar (1994)
* Anthimanthaarai (1995)
* Kadhal Kottai (1996)
* The Terrorist (1997)
* House Full (1998)
* Sethu (1999)
* Bharati (2000)

2001–2020|

* Ooruku Nooruper (2001)
* Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
* Iyarkai (2003)
* Navarasa (2004)
* Aadum Koothu (2005)
* Veyil (2006)
* Periyar (2007)
* Vaaranam Aayiram (2008)
* Pasanga (2009)
* Thenmerku Paruvakaatru (2010)
* Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011)
* Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2012)
* Thanga Meenkal (2013)
* Kuttram Kadithal (2014)
* Visaranai (2015)
* Joker (2016)
* To Let (2017)
* Baaram (2018)
* Asuran (2019)
* Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengalum (2020)

2021–present|

* Kadaisi Vivasayi (2021)
* Ponniyin Selvan: I (2022)

* v
* t
* e

Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film

1967
– 79|

| First prize|

* Kaavalkaaran (1967)
* Uyarndha Manithan (1968)
* Adimai Penn (1969)
* Vietnam Veedu (1970)
* No Award (1971–1976)
* 16 Vayathinile (1977)
* Mullum Malarum (1978)
* Pasi (1979)

|

Second prize|

* Aalayam (1967)
* Thillana Mohanambal (1968)
* Akka Thangai (1969)
* Engal Thangam (1970)
* No Award (1971–1976)
* Madhurageetham (1977)
* Aval Appadithan (1978)
* Puthiya Vaarpugal (1979)

Third prize|

* Bama Vijayam (1967)
* Thamarai Nenjam (1968)
* Deiva Magan (1969)
* Namma Kuzhandaigal (1970)
* No Award (1971–1976)
* Bala Pareetchai (1977)
* Ilamai Oonjal Aadukirathu (1978)
* Thisai Maariya Paravaigal (1979)

1980
– 89|

| First prize|

* Varumayin Niram Sivappu (1980)
* Alaigal Oivathillai (1981)
* Enkeyo Ketta Kural (1982)
* No Award (1983–1987)
* Poo Pootha Nandavanam  (1988)
* Pudhea Paadhai (1989)

|

Second prize|

* Nenjathai Killathe (1980)
* Keezh Vaanam Sivakkum (1981)
* Agni Sakshi (1982)
* No Award (1983–1987)
* Paasa Paravaigal (1988)
* Pudhu Pudhu Arthangal (1989)

Third prize|

* Vandichakkaram (1980)
* Moondram Pirai (1981)
* Ezhavathu Manithan (1982)
* No Award (1983–1987)
* Agni Natchathiram (1988)
* Nyaya Tharasu (1989)

1990
– 99|

| First prize|

* Pudhu Vasantham (1990)
* Chinna Thambi (1991)
* Roja (1992)
* Jaathi Malli (1993)
* Nattamai (1994)
* Anthimanthaarai (1995)
* Indian (1996)
* Arunachalam & Surya Vamsam (1997)
* Natpukkaga (1998)
* Padayappa (1999)

|

Second prize|

* Keladi Kannmanii (1990)
* En Rasavin Manasile (1991)
* Thevar Magan (1992)
* Pathini Penn (1993)
* Nammavar (1994)
* Kolangal (1995)
* Kadhal Kottai (1996)
* Porkkaalam (1997)
* Maru Malarchi (1998)
* Thullatha Manamum Thullum (1999)

Third prize|

* Kizhakku Vaasal (1990)
* Gunaa (1991)
* Chinna Gounder (1992)
* Gokulam (1993)
* Pavithra (1994)
* Avatharam (1995)
* Purushan Pondatti (1996)
* Arasiyal (1997)
* Unnidathil Ennai Koduthen (1998)
* Ethirum Puthirum (1999)

2000
– 09|

| First prize|

* Vaanathaippola (2000)
* Virumbugiren (2001)
* Ramanaa (2002)
* Eera Nilam (2003)
* Autograph (2004)
* Chandramukhi & Ghajini (2005)
* Veyil (2006)
* Sivaji: The Boss (2007)
* Dasavathaaram (2008)
* Pasanga (2009)

|

Second prize|

* Vaanavil (2000)
* Pandavar Bhoomi (2001)
* Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
* Power of Women (2003)
* Vishwa Thulasi (2004)
* Anniyan (2005)
* Paruthiveeran (2006)
* Mozhi (2007)
* Abhiyum Naanum (2008)
* Mayandi Kudumbathar (2009)

Third prize|

* Vetri Kodi Kattu (2000)
* Aanandham (2001)
* Unnai Ninaithu (2002)
* Parthiban Kanavu (2003)
* Kannadi Pookal (2004)
* Thavamai Thavamirundhu (2005)
* Thiruttu Payale (2006)
* Pallikoodam (2007)
* Santosh Subramaniam (2008)
* Achchamundu! Achchamundu! (2009)

2010
– 15|

| First prize|

* Mynaa (2010)
* Vaagai Sooda Vaa (2011)
* Vazhakku Enn 18/9 (2012)
* Ramanujan (2013)
* Kuttram Kadithal (2014)
* Thani Oruvan (2015)

|

Second prize|

* Kalavani (2010)
* Deiva Thirumagal (2011)
* Saattai (2012)
* Thanga Meenkal (2013)
* Goli Soda (2014)
* Pasanga 2 (2015)

Third prize|

* Puthran (2010)
* Uchithanai Muharnthaal (2011)
* Dhoni (2012)
* Pannaiyarum Padminiyum (2013)
* Nimirndhu Nil (2014)
* Prabha (2015)

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