Naam Pirandha Mann

Naam Pirandha Mann is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Gemini Ganesan and K. R. Vijaya, while Kamal Haasan, Nagesh and Fatafat Jayalaxmi play supporting roles. It was released on 7 October 1977. The story served as base line for the 1996 film Indian, this time featuring Haasan in the lead role equivalent to that of Sivaji Ganesan.

Plot
During the British Raj, Vettaikara Thevar is a rich landlord who lives with his wife Devanayaki and younger sister Valliyammai. He is in the good books of the people and the British. Unknown to his family, he is also Santhana Thevar, the masked vigilante leader of a group that terrorises the British colonisers in town and helps the locals.

Joseph, a former soldier, joins Santhanam's group and also works for Vettaikaran's, unaware that both are the same man. Santhanam is hurt during a mission and Joseph rescues him sacrificing himself and is presumed dead. Eventually, the British learn his secret identity and Valliyammai is raped publicly and murdered in an attempt to draw out Santhanam. He comes out in rage, murders the perpetuators and bound by a promise he made to Devanayaki, he surrenders. He escapes his death sentence at the last moment and is freed as India gains independence. He, however, has already been financially ruined.

Years later, the Santhanam family is now reduced to penury and Santhanam's son Ranjith is a bitter young man. He resents the fact that his father's sacrifices have resulted in only misery for the family and that the country is ungrateful to freedom fighters. He also hates the fact that even in poverty, his father refuses pension on account of self-respect. The two clash due to their contrasting world views. Ranjith, at one time, has had enough and takes to crime. In the end, Santhanam finds out that his own son is betraying the country he fought so hard to free and takes his gun again as Vettaikaran. Does the father get killed or does the son?

Cast

 * Sivaji Ganesan as Santhana Thevar / Vettaikara Thevar
 * Gemini Ganesan as Joseph
 * K. R. Vijaya as Devanayaki
 * Kamal Haasan as Ranjith
 * Fatafat Jayalaxmi as Valliyammai
 * Nagesh as Thavasu

Production
The film's story was written by Rajasekhar who went to become a successful director in the 1980s.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan, with lyrics by Kannadasan.

Release
Naam Pirandha Mann was released on 7 October 1977, and the final length of the film was 4554.32 metres, down from 4567.58 metres.