bluegreensalad
Though the obvious storyline: that Dilip (Kamalahasan) is a misogynist serial-killer, till he comes across Sharada (Sridevi) in whom he finds something of a higher love which was denied to him all these years- seems acceptable, I do feel there's another interpretation worth suggesting: The process with which he wooed Sharada was his modus operandi; he probably did this to all other girls he had killed. Maybe he didn't offer marriage to all of them, but by flaunting his physical beauty, his wealth and assets, and his promise of obvious physical prowess 'on the bed', was enough to lure the unfortunate girl to his bed and getting killed in bargain. In Dilip's mind, the more 'fun-loving' the girl, the more 'loose' was she, which meant she'd probably accept his advances unhesitatingly, and which probably meant that she deserved death even more promptly. Sharada has been portrayed as an upright, moralistic, Hindu girl, God-Fearing, probably from a conservative, but economically straightened background, but forced to work as a single working girl in conservative Madras, which highlights the straightened economic circumstances of her family back in Kumbakonam. Despite her protestations, she's internally happy with the attention bestowed upon her by the obviously rich good-looking young man, who even drives his own 'imported foreign car' (compare to the lumbering Premier Padminis and Ambassadors) and saves her from an accident! It's but natural, I feel, that after a brief, token struggle with her values/morals, she would plunge into a relationship like any other girl. However, part of the compromise with her morals was not to allow herself enter into a pre-marital sexual relationship with Dilip. But she did marry in haste, so as not to 'lose this ideal guy'. Note how they get married at the marriage registry! Not exactly what a conservative girl would have preferred! At that moment, I feel, her fate was sealed. Dilip probably might have realized that she was also 'one of them'. If not for the unforeseen events of the first day of their married life, he'd probably would have killed her that night itself (note his warning her of what would happen 'come night-time') He had already killed 6 girls before Sharada; the last being Sharada's co-worker/girlfriend at the shop. She discovers this modus operandi in Dilip's private confessional room, scrawled over the walls. She's terrified, and wants to escape that grim fate that befell those before her. Dilip does not want her to escape. Dilip is bipolar with a dominating dark side, and a suppressed child. He's relaxed and quiet in the light of day, but dark, brooding and demoniac, when away from the sun, whether it be night or in the confines of his home or office. At night he's given to wearing black Gothic leather apparel as a reflection of his dark side. His dark deeds have all been committed at night because at night he's in his wild element, a predator lurking in the shadows. He does not 'love' Sharada in truest sense. He just wants to protect his own ass, that's all, and hence goes along with Sharada's demands. He bides his time and returns to kill, but by then, his secret's out. Coupled with the tremendous mental strain (the stricken conscience of the good side) of killing the 6 girls, and being confronted by the police and public, and the realization that the truth is finally out, the dark pretense collapses and deserts the sinking ship, leaving behind the original, child-like, simplistic Dilip, now quite an idiot, whose mental growth had been stunted by the darkness, a reflection of the carefree village-boy who he was in his childhood. He obviously knows but little of those dark deeds done by the 'other one', or the 'terrible one'. He's probably cured now, but at a terrible price- he has lost the charm, business skills and managerial talents. He's also lost the freedom, and now behind bars. This 'Child', in stark contrast, is now dressed in rough white cottons, and he remembers only those few moments of happiness- like getting married to his wife (who ultimately did him in, but he doesn't know!). Poor guy! Feel kinda sad for the character Dilip! The old man would have probably been remanded to a mental asylum, the servant jailed for being an accomplice to murder, which meant she'd probably inherit her husband's wealth and assets.Which means that Sharada, I feel, will have a ball of a time! Just an afterthought! :)Kamalahasan is a great actor indeed- hats off!. The film, I think, was probably quite daring for it's time (circa 1978), especially for the bastion of South Indian conservative society- Madras. There are many bloopers in the film: like the reflection of the camera and film crew off the side door of Dilip's car as it swings out of the porch of his house towards the gate. Another ambiguous point being the role of the gatekeeper in the whole affair. Yet, overall, the originality of the concept, the sparse, silent dialogue, the camera-work and Ilayaraja's great 70s retro music, makes this movie unique, not worth made into an 'inspired re-dux'.
seenpriyan
As much as I wanted to watch this movie as a kid, I never did but managed to watch it ultimately. This movie is about a misogynist and his hatred for women. His childhood incidents have made him to hate women and has been feeding on hatred. The title "Sigappu Rojakal" means Red roses signifies the women he goes after kills them and every women deserves a red rose. Bharathi Raja did direct this movie trying to bring negative character in Kamal and succeeded quiet a bit. Sridevi plays a beautiful lady sales clerk at a garment store to fall for Kamal's charm to be married to find out about him. It is race of He knows, she knows, but He knows She does not know what he knows. Time will tell in a excellent thriller of movie, I call it a thriller with the time the movie was made in, a different topic from usual type of movies the same year. Never has any actor tried negative role early in his career to find it turn as a success and bank of having done variety of role, Kamal rocks, so does Sri Devi. Will conclude by saying worth watching at least once...
nanand
Kamal Haasan, the central character, is a man terribly soured by his unvaryingly devastating encounters with the opposite sex. He develops a pathological hatred for women and uses his charm to seduce young women and kill them immediately after having sex with each. These proceedings are recorded watched repeatedly by his adoptive father and mentor, another crazed woman-hater with a similarly disillusioning experience with the female sex, who vicariously enjoys his protege's exploits. The old man stays holed up in a far corner of the house watching his son carry out what he is too infirm to do.Kamal's hateful view of women slowly begins to change when he meets Sridevi, a young and very beautiful shop assistant whom he easily attains by virtue of his good looks and wealth and marries, owing to her insistence. What was once another conquest to him slowly begins to rouse his tender feelings, but his fostered urges are as assertive as ever, and he enters a confused phase.Sridevi, meanwhile stumbles upon Kamal's father, whom Kamal had told her was retarded and was not to be disturbed, and gets the shock of her life. She somehow manages to shut him in and tries to run out but Kamal returns before she gets a chance to leave the house. Sridevi puts on an agonising mask of normalcy and bides her time to escape. Kamal gets called away on business that night and she packs up her luggage and leaves the house, but is dramatically intercepted by Kamal who gets word of her flight through his watchman. A tense chase ensues, which ends in a graveyard in the dead of night, with Kamal stumbling and falling on a cross which pierces him.He is subsequently jailed but gets mentally retarded and loses his bloodthirsty ways. He keeps repeating Sridevi's name, as it is his only coherent thought, and all other memories have been erased from his mind.
