== Durai ==
Prominent 70s independent Tamil director.
Former assistant to Yoganand and G.V. Iyer
(Hamsa Geethe, 1975). First film, Avalum
Penn Thaane, is a tragic portrayal of an
orphaned woman saved from a vice den who
sacrifices her life to protect another woman
from being trapped into prostitution. It
attracted some critical attention as one of the
better mid-70s commercial films engaging with
the feminist movement. However, he went on
Doordarshan
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to make a formula of this theme, featuring a
series of florid female characters such as the
tragic heroine who marries her lover’s son in
Oru Veedu Oru Ulagam. Best-known film is
Pasi, which redeems its sentimentalism
through a realistic usage of dialect and a
number of well-sketched characterisations.
Worked in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and
Malayalam. Also scripted his films.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1974: Avalum Penn
Thaane; 1975: Oru Kudumbathin Kathai;
1976: Mugiyada Kathe; Asai Arubathu Naal;
1977: Raghupati Raghava Rajaram; 1978:
Aval Thantha Uravu; Chadarangam; Pavathin
Sambalam; Ayiram Janmangal; Oru Veedu
Oru Ulagam; 1979: Kadamai Nenjam; Pasi;
Neeya; Needhikku Mun Neeya Nana; Malligai
Mohini; Priya Bandhavi; Pathai Marinal;
1980: Kaadu; Maria My Darling; Pennukku
Yar Kaval; Enga Vathiar; Porkalam; Thani
Maram; Oli Pirandathu; 1981: Aval Oru
Kaviyam; Vadagai Veedu; Mayil; Kilinjalgal;
1982: Ruby My Darling; Velicham Vitharunna
Pennkutty; Nalanthana; Thunai; Theerpugal
Thirutha Padalam; 1983: Do Gulab; 1984: Pet
Pyar Aur Paap; 1985: Veli; 1986: Oru
Manithan Oru Manaivi; 1987: Veera Pandian;
1988: Palaivanathil Pattampoochi; 1990:
Pudhiya Athiyayam.