Athma (film)

Athma 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. The film was released on 9 July 1993.

Plot
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.

Soundtrack
The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja (except "Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil"), with lyrics written by Vaali.

Reception
Malini 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". K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times said, "It takes courage to attempt a movie like this, and Prathap's story grabs your attention".