Vandichakkaram

Vandichakkaram is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language film directed by K. Vijayan and written by Vinu Chakravarthy. The film stars Sivakumar and Saritha. It revolves around a ruffian who, after falling in love, resolves to mend his ways.

Chakravarthy wrote the script in 1976, but production began only in 1979. It was supposed to be the 100th film of Sivakumar but eventually became his 101st to accommodate Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979). The film was produced by Thirupur Mani, and shot at Mysore. It is also the Tamil debut of Silk Smitha.

Vandichakkaram was released on 29 August 1980, and became one of the biggest hits of Sivakumar. At the Filmfare Awards South, he and Saritha won the awards for Best Tamil Actor and Best Tamil Actress respectively. The film also won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film—Third Prize. It was later remade in Hindi as Prem Pratigyaa (1989).

Plot
Gaja is a ruffian. After falling in love with Vadivu, he resolves to mend his ways.

Production
Vinu Chakravarthy wrote the script of Vandichakkaram in 1976, but production began only in 1979. This was supposed to be the 100th film of Sivakumar but eventually became his 101st so that Rosappu Ravikkaikari (1979) could become his 100th. The film featured Sivakumar portraying a ruffian, completely different from the soft roles which he was portraying at that point of his career. This was the Tamil film debut of Vijayalakshmi, who later became known as the sex symbol Silk Smitha. Vinu Chakravarthy said he "chiseled" her character during the writing process for almost three years before production began. Since the film demanded a vegetable market situated in a straight line, the crew zeroed on a market place Devaraja Market in Mysore where the film was shot. Sivakumar revealed Mysore Devaraja Market usually does not give permission to shoot but they specially gave permission only to this film's crew. The filming was also held at Premier Studios at Mysore. Smitha's voice was dubbed by Hema Malini. The song "Vaa Machan" was supposed to picturised on Sivakumar's character; however, since it was felt the majesty of his role would be reduced if he had performed in the song, it was changed into his character drinking and being an onlooker at the dance.

Soundtrack
The music composed by Shankar–Ganesh, and lyrics were penned by Pulamaipithan. The song "Vaa Machan Vaa" became hugely popular.

Release and reception
Vandichakkaram was released on 29 August 1980, and became one of the biggest hits of Sivakumar. Writing for Kalki, Nalini Sastry said Vijayan was not pushing the cartwheel on the ground, but into the sky. At the Filmfare Awards South, Sivakumar and Saritha won the awards for Best Tamil Actor and Best Tamil Actress respectively. The film also won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film—Third Prize.