Written, Directed: Sridhar
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| https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1431188/ |
In Tamil, Venus is called Velli (வெள்ளி), and sometimes Sukhran (சுக்கிரன்) in Vedic astrology. Sukhran is a deity in the Navagraha system, associated with beauty, wisdom, love, and wealth, and is a guru to the Asuras. Therefore, Friday (Vellikizhamai, வெள்ளிக்கிழமை) is connected to Sukhran and the planet Venus.
Asuras are not inherently negative characters, as we have come to understand. In the earlier Vedic scriptures, Asuras are depicted as powerful forces comparable to the Devas. Over time, in Hindu writings, they became synonymous with uncontrolled senses and powers. Paradoxically, on the other side of the Sindhu-Saraswati civilisation, among the Zoroastrians, there is a blurred distinction between good and evil. Ahura, as in Mazda Ahura, the primary Deity in the Zoroastrian religion, is an Asura (pronounced Ahura).
Vidivelli translates to 'morning star', i.e., Venus, which is visible before sunrise, poetically representing a positive turning point in life, the light after darkness.
This obscure film escaped the notice of most Tamil cinema enthusiasts. Although Sridhar released many innovative movies addressing compelling social issues, this particular film seems quite uninspired. His major hit as a debut director was 'Kalyana Parisu' in 1959. Most of Sridhar's successes came afterwards - including Nilavu (1961), Nenjil Or Aalayam (1962), Kattallika Neramillai (1964), and Vennira Aadai (1965).
It tells the story of a brother stealing a necklace to give his sister as a dowry. Although he feels guilty about the whole affair, he feels compelled to do it because he believes it is his duty as the elder brother to provide for his younger sister. As fate would have it, the brother secures a job with the very same people he had stolen the necklace from. Neither party realises who they are dealing with.
The sister is happily married and was showing off her necklace one day when her husband realised that there was a photograph of a young man in its locket. The husband suspects her of infidelity and chases her back to her mother's home. The emotional brother now has to prove his sister's loyalty and admit his own crime. Things get complicated when the brother falls in love with his boss's daughter, from whom he had stolen the necklace, and her father is not too pleased with her choice.
Amongst film circles, this movie received much admiration for its direction, storyline, and stellar cast. The benchmark for the commercial success of any Tamil film is its ability to run in cinemas for over 100 days. 'Vidivelli' achieved this.
