Vaazhkai (1984 film)

Vaazhkai is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language drama film,  directed by  C. V. Rajendran and produced by Chitra Raamu and Chitra Lakshmanan. The film stars Sivaji Ganesan, Ambika and Pandiyan, with Jaishankar, M. N. Nambiar and Raveendran in supporting roles. It is a remake of the Hindi film Avtaar. The film was released on 14 April 1984 and ran for over 100 days in theatres.

Plot
Rajasekar is a hard-working mechanic whose family consists of wife Radha, oldest son Baskar, daughter-in-law Sumathi, youngest son Ramesh and adopted son Kannan. Rajasekar loses the use of one arm in an accident at work and, for the first time in his life, finds himself out of work. He wants to use his insurance payout from the accident to buy the family home and pay for Ramesh's education. Baskar buys the house but registers it in Sumathi's name rather than his mother's name. Ramesh falls in love with Swapna. Her father, rich businessman Seetharaman, is supportive of the couple but wants Ramesh to live in his home and take charge of his businesses. Rajasekar is sceptical of this arrangement as he is worried about Ramesh being dependent on Seetharaman. Ramesh, however, abandons his parents to live with Swapna. Baskar's duplicity also comes to light after a family argument. Utter disappointed in his children, Rajasekar leaves the home with Radha and Kannan. With hard work and determination, Rajasekar becomes a very wealthy man. His sons' fortunes, on the other hand, fall and family is set against each other.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Kaalam Maaralam" is set in Hamsadhvani raga. The song "Mella Mella" is adapted from the background music which Ilaiyaraaja composed for Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983), Mani Ratnam's directional debut film.

Reception
Jayamanmadhan of Kalki praised the acting of Sivaji Ganesan and other actors but panned Ilaiyaraaja's music and concluded even though it is a film similar to the old films of Ganesan, the film is said to be for the motherland who takes joy in crying.