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{{short description|1976 film by K. Balachander}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Moondru Mudichu poster.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = [[K. Balachander]]
| screenplay = K. Balachander
| based_on = {{based on|''[[O Seeta Katha]]''|[[K. Viswanath]]}}
| producer = R. Venkataraman
| starring = [[Kamal Haasan]]<br />[[Sridevi]]<br />[[Rajinikanth]]
| cinematography = [[B. S. Lokanath]]
| editing = N. R. Kittu
| music = [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
| released = {{Film date|df=y|1976|10|22}}
| studio = RMS Productions
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = {{INR}}10 lakh<ref name="deccanchronicle" />
}}

'''''Moondru Mudichu''''' ({{translation|The three knots}}) is a 1976 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic thriller]] film directed and co-written by [[K. Balachander]]. A remake of the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[O Seeta Katha]]'' (1974), it stars [[Kamal Haasan]], [[Sridevi]] and [[Rajinikanth]]. The film revolves around an 18-year-old girl and two roommates who fall in love with her.

''Moondru Mudichu'' marked Sridevi's first leading adult role, and Rajinikanth's first major role in Tamil. It was released on 22 October 1976 and became a success.

== Plot ==
Balaji and Prasath are roommates in Chennai. Balaji falls in love with 18-year-old Selvi, who lives in the same apartment complex. Prasath, who has his eyes on Selvi, pretends to back Balaji's love while secretly hoping to create a divide between them. Selvi realizes Prasath's intentions when she finds out that he has seduced Menaka, an innocent girl living in the same apartment complex. However, she is unable to convince Balaji, who hero-worships Prasath.

Things come to a head when Selvi, Balaji, and Prasath go for a picnic by the lake. Balaji falls into the lake by accident. Prasath refuses to jump in and save Balaji, on the pretext that he does not know how to swim. A devastated Selvi returns home to another shock: her sister, who plays small roles in films, has been in a fire accident which has left her face permanently scarred. Overnight, Selvi's life undergoes a change.

Selvi comes across an advertisement in the paper for a second marriage to Viswanathan, a wealthy man in Salem with four children, and applies for the same. However, Viswanathan refuses to marry a young girl like Selvi and asks her to take care of the kids instead. Impressed by her service, he requests her to marry his eldest son, who turns out to be none other than Prasath, who visits his father during the weekend.

Prasath continues to harass Selvi and orders her to marry him. He gives her a week to decide and returns to Chennai. In an attempt to salvage her life, Selvi successfully persuades Viswanathan to marry her before Prasath returns the next weekend. This puts Prasath in an uncomfortable situation, as Selvi taunts him back using her 'mother' status. Meanwhile, Selvi spots Menaka, who has given birth to Prasath's child, brings them home, and tries to convince Prasath to marry her, but he rejects them.

Viswanathan accidentally finds out about the prior relationship between Prasath and Selvi and enacts an accident to make Prasath agree to his immoral past. Prasath repents for his mistakes and agrees to marry Menaka.

== Cast ==

{{cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Balaji{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=50}}
* [[Sridevi]] as Selvi{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=50}}
* [[Rajinikanth]] as Prasath<ref>{{Cite news |last=Narayan |first=Hari |date=25 February 2018 |title=Sridevi: a picture of divine grace |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sridevi-a-picture-of-divine-grace/article22849681.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225111250/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sridevi-a-picture-of-divine-grace/article22849681.ece |archive-date=25 February 2018 |access-date=31 August 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
* [[Y. Vijaya]] as Subhadra{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=50}}
* [[N. Viswanathan|N. Viswanath]] as Viswanathan, Prasath's father{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=52}}
* [[Oru Viral Krishna Rao|Krishna Rao]] as a servant
* [[K. Natraj]] as Prasath's conscience<ref name="dinamalar" />
* [[Sivachandran]] as a stage poet<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/552599-sivachandran-1-rewindwithramji-2.html|title=' ’கிழக்கே போகும் ரயில்’ படத்துல நடிக்க பாரதிராஜா என்னைத்தான் கூப்பிட்டார்; நான் முடியாதுன்னு சொல்லிட்டேன்!' - நடிகர் சிவசந்திரன் பிரத்யேகப் பேட்டி|date=3 May 2020|website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]]|language=ta|access-date=2 September 2024|archive-date=2 September 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902211847/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/552599-sivachandran-1-rewindwithramji-2.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Baby Rani]] as Prasath's sister
}}

== Production ==
''Moondru Mudichu'' is a remake of the 1974 [[Telugu language|Telugu]] film ''[[O Seeta Katha]]''.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=50}} [[Jayabharathi (director)|Jayabharathi]] was offered to play a negative role but did not accept, resulting in [[Rajinikanth]] being cast.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 August 2017 |title='21 ரூபாயுடன் படத்தைத் தொடங்கினேன்' - இயக்குநர் ஜெயபாரதி நேர்காணல் |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/230766-21.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624195816/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/supplements/hindu-talkies/230766-21.html |archive-date=24 June 2021 |access-date=16 June 2021 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref> It was Rajinikanth's first major role in Tamil.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=53}} [[Kamal Haasan]], who portrayed a negative role in ''O Seeta Katha''{{'}}s [[Malayalam]] remake ''[[Mattoru Seetha]]'' (1975), played a different role this time.<ref name="dinamalar" /> This was the first film where [[Sridevi]] played an adult character.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Narayan |first=Shoba |date=27 December 2014 |title=The rebels of Tamil cinema |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/h1HOB1skosqYXHdCj9lufO/The-rebels-of-Tamil-cinema.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131210338/http://www.livemint.com/Leisure/h1HOB1skosqYXHdCj9lufO/The-rebels-of-Tamil-cinema.html |archive-date=31 January 2017 |access-date=31 August 2020 |website=[[Mint (newspaper)|Mint]]}}</ref> She was paid {{INR}}5000, Haasan was paid {{INR}}30,000 and Rajinikanth was paid {{INR}}2000.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 February 2018 |title=Did you know Sridevi was paid more than Rajinikanth for 'Moondru Mudichu'? |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/did-you-know-sridevi-was-paid-more-than-rajinikanth-for-moondru-mudichu/articleshow/63081754.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191121133307/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/did-you-know-sridevi-was-paid-more-than-rajinikanth-for-moondru-mudichu/articleshow/63081754.cms |archive-date=21 November 2019 |access-date=31 August 2020 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The budget of the film was {{INRConvert|10|l|year=1976}}.<ref name="deccanchronicle" /> The filming was held at [[Bengaluru]].<ref>{{cite news |date=1 February 1976 |title=பாலச்சந்தரின் 'மூன்று முடிச்சு' பெங்களூரில் படப்பிடிப்பு |url=https://images.eap.bl.uk/EAP372/EAP372_6_22_4_40/3.jp2/full/1000,1481/0/default.jpg |access-date=11 November 2025 |work=Navamani |pages=3 |language=ta |via=[[Endangered Archives Programme]]}}</ref>
== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[M. S. Viswanathan]] and lyrics were by [[Kannadasan]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Moondru Mudichchu Tamil Film EP Vinyl Record by M S Viswanathan |url=https://mossymart.com/product/moondru-mudichchu-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-m-s-viswanathan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720081825/https://mossymart.com/product/moondru-mudichchu-tamil-film-ep-vinyl-record-by-m-s-viswanathan/ |archive-date=20 July 2021 |access-date=20 July 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Aadi Velli
| extra1 = [[P. Jayachandran]], [[Vani Jairam]]
| length1 = 3:46
| title2 = Naanoru Kadhanayagi
| extra2 = [[P. Susheela]], [[L. R. Eswari]]
| length2 = 3:07
| title3 = Vasantha Kaala
| extra3 = P. Jayachandran, Vani Jairam, [[M. S. Viswanathan]]
| length3 = 3:20
| total_length = 10:13
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Moondru Mudichu'' was released on 22 October 1976, [[Diwali]] day.<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 October 2021 |title=தீபாவளி பண்டிகையும் ரஜினியின் அதிரடி ஹிட் படங்களும்! |url=http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=18687&id1=3&issue=20211031 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115050328/http://kungumam.co.in/Articalinnerdetail.aspx?id=18687&id1=3&issue=20211031 |archive-date=15 January 2022 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=[[Kungumam (magazine)|Kungumam]] |language=ta}}</ref>{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=54}} Kanthan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' appreciated the film for its cast performances, and called the pre-[[Intermission|interval]] portions better than the post-interval ones.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=காந்தன் |date=21 November 1976 |title=மூன்று முடிச்சு |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1976/nov/21-11-1976/p39.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220728035957/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1976/nov/21-11-1976/p39.jpg |archive-date=28 July 2022 |access-date=28 July 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=39 |language=ta}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' lauded Rajinikanth for performing an "unsympathetic yet challenging role with style and fineness".<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 August 2025 |title=50 years of Rajinikanth: What 'The Hindu' film critics wrote about the superstar's performances |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/50-years-of-rajinikanth-from-apoorva-raagangal-to-coolie-what-the-hindu-critics-have-said-about-the-superstar-over-the-years/article69927797.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250814040245/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/50-years-of-rajinikanth-from-apoorva-raagangal-to-coolie-what-the-hindu-critics-have-said-about-the-superstar-over-the-years/article69927797.ece |archive-date=14 August 2025 |access-date=14 August 2025 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The film became a success, and many of Prasath's traits became signature moves of Rajinikanth in his future films, such as his tendency to flip cigarettes into his mouth. Critic [[Naman Ramachandran]] felt that with Prasath's recurring Hindi catchphrase "Teek Hai?" ({{Translation|Okay?}}), "the seed for future Rajini catchphrases had been sown."{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=54}}

== References ==
<references>
<ref name="deccanchronicle">{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=27 June 2016 |title=From small screen to big screen |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/270616/from-small-screen-to-big-screen.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200217141524/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/270616/from-small-screen-to-big-screen.html |archive-date=17 February 2020 |access-date=10 July 2022 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>
<ref name="dinamalar">{{Cite web |date=11 May 2020 |title=மறக்க முடியுமா? மூன்று முடிச்சு |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/marakka-mudiyuma/88008/old-movies/Marakka-Mudiyuma-:-Moondrumuduchu.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604012552/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/marakka-mudiyuma/88008/old-movies/Marakka-Mudiyuma-:-Moondrumuduchu.htm |archive-date=4 June 2020 |access-date=31 August 2020 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta}}</ref>
</references>

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-14-342111-5 |location=New Delhi |orig-date=2012}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}

{{K. Balachander}}

[[Category:1976 Indian films]]
[[Category:1970s romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:1976 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1976 films]]
[[Category:Films about women in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Films scored by M. S. Viswanathan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by K. Balachander]]
[[Category:Indian black-and-white films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Telugu films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language romantic thriller films]]

Moondru Mudichu - Revision history

Garrydum: added data