Athma (film)

Not to be confused with Aatma (2006 film).

Athma (transl. Soul) is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language supernatural thriller film directed by Pratap Pothen. The film stars Ramki, Rahman, Nassar, Gautami and Kasthuri. It is based on the book The Miracle by Irving Wallace.^[1] The film was released on 9 July 1993.^[2]

Athma
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Pratap Pothen
Screenplay by	Pratap Pothen
Story by	Shanmughapriyan
Based on	The Miracle by Irving Wallace
Produced by	Ajitha Hari
Starring	Ramki Rahman Nassar Gautami Kasthuri
Cinematography	Madhu Ambat
Edited by	B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Production company	Supriya International
Release date	9 July 1993 (1993-07-09)
Running time	140 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Raghu, an atheist archaeologist, and his father went to an isolated village for research. During the research, his father disappears mysteriously and Raghu finds out a strange prophecy: God will come to earth on Purnima day at the Nagakali Amman temple and the people who will submerge completely under the waterfall near the Nagakali Amman temple will be cured of any disease. His colleague Pathma informs her blind friend Divya who is a journalist and the news reaches the public. Pathma is in love with Naveen, who is in the final stages of cancer. Soon, an atheist terrorist group, led by Saravanan, try to destroy the temple. Saravanan has a tragic past: his sister and his brother-in-law were devotees who were brutally killed by the temple's donor. In the meantime, the police officer Hari, Divya's brother, is charged with eradicating the terrorist group. Pathma believes in this prophecy, so she marries Naveen and takes him to the temple. Divya compels Hari to come with him to restore her sight and he agrees to do so. Few days before the God's arrival, the Nagakali Amman temple is overcrowded. A race against the clock starts.

Cast

• Ramki as Saravanan / Vignesh
• Rahman as Raghu
• Nassar as Hari
• Gautami as Divya
• Kasthuri as Uma
• Vinodhini as Pathma
• Vaani
• C. R. Vijayakumari as Guhai Amma
• Vijayachander as Raghu's father and Nagalinga Siddhar
• Riyaz Khan as Naveen
• Senthil as Meiyappan
• Vikas Rishi as Vikas
• Vimalraj as Nambiyatri
• Sathyapriya as Naveen's mother
• Sangeetha as Saravanan's sister
• Surekha
• Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Kattabomman
• A. K. Veerasamy as Esakki Muthu
• Chinni Jayanth as Erimalai
• R. S. Shivaji as Shiva
• Subbu Panchu Arunachalam as Anil
• Vaithy
• LIC Narasimhan
• Ramesh Khanna
• Thideer Kannaiah
• Thalapathi Dinesh
• Vichithra in a special appearance

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja (except "Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil"), with lyrics written by Vaali.^[3][4]

Song	Singer(s)	Duration
"Inarul Tharum"	T. N. Seshagopalan	4:56
"Kannale Kadhal Kavithai"	K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki	4:44
"Ninaikkindra Paadhaiyil"	S. Janaki	4:13
"Vaarayo Unnake Saran"	Mano	4:28
"Vidiyum Pozhudhu"	Mano	3:19
"Vilakku Vaipom"	S. Janaki	5:05

Reception

Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote, "Aathma is a slick presentation from Prathap and the main story has been efficiently handled. But he could have avoided slipping into the formula pattern now and then".^[5] K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times said, "It takes courage to attempt a movie like this, and Prathap's story grabs your attention".^[1]