Azhagi (2002 film): Difference between revisions

Name: Azhagi (2002 film)
Director: Thangar Bachan
Released: 2021-04-05T07:47:07Z
Duration: 2 h 27 min
Cast: R. Parthiban, Nandita Das, Devayani (actress)

Azhagi
Azhagi
	Poster
Directed by	Thangar Bachan
Produced by	Udhaya Geetha
Written by	Thangar Bachan
Based on	"Kalvettugal"; by Thangar Bachan
Starring	Parthiban; Nandita Das; Devayani
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography	Thangar Bachan
Edited by	B. Lenin; V. T. Vijayan
Production; company	Uthaya Geetha Productions
Release date	14 January 2002;
Running time	147 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

VisualWikitext

Latest revision as of 10:04, 3 March 2026

Azhagi (pronunciation (help·info)) (transl. Beautiful lady) is a 2002 Indian Tamil-language romantic drama film written and directed by Thangar Bachan in his directoral debut, based on his short story "Kalvettugal".^[2] The film stars Parthiban, Nandita Das and Devayani. It was released on 14 January 2002 and won the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil. The film was remade in Telugu as Letha Manasulu in 2004.^[3]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Shanmugam, a veterinary doctor, lives in the city with his wife Valarmati and their two children. In school, Shanmugam was in love with his classmate Dhanalakshmi, but fate had forced them to go their separate ways, with Dhanam being forced to wed her brother-in-law (Sayaji Shinde). One day, Shanmugam spots Dhanam, who, having lost her husband, now lives a life of poverty on the platforms with her son Balu. After an unsuccessful attempt to find her a job in a friend's house, he hires her as their servant-maid. However, memories of the past start to create a tension between Shanmugam and Dhanam, despite their attempts to maintain a distance.

One day, Valarmati finds out from Shanmugam's old classmates how her husband and Dhanam were in love when they were young, and she starts fearing that Shanmugam might leave her and her children for Dhanam. Valarmati becomes so distraught that she even humiliates Dhanam at a party organised by one of their friends. When they return home, Valarmati confronts Shanmugam, and an argument ensues. Dhanam overhears their argument and silently goes to bed. The next morning, Dhanam and Balu are nowhere to be found. When Shanmugam searches the house, he finds a letter written by Dhanam, saying that she wants Valarmati and Shanmugam to be happy and doesn't want to come between them. Soon, Valarmati realises the truth and wants to bring Dhanam back home and ask her for her forgiveness.

Shanmugam searches everywhere for them and at last finds Balu in an orphanage. The matron informs them that his mother had left instructions that her son should remain at the orphanage till her return. However, when the matron questions Balu, he replies that he wants to go with Shanmugam and stay in their house and to tell his mother that he is there when she returns. The matron agrees and lets him go. At the beginning of the movie, it is mentioned that Balu has been adopted by Shanmugam but still continues to call him "Sir" and never "Father or "Dad". As Shanmugam leaves for home from the orphanage, he mentions that he is still searching for Dhanam's whereabouts to that day.

Cast[edit | edit source]

R. Parthiban as Shanmugam
- Ramu Saravanan as little Shanmugam
- Sathish Stephen as young Shanmugam
Nandita Das as Dhanalakshmi aka Dhanam
- Monica as young Dhanalakshmi aka Dhanam
Devayani as Valarmathi
Vivek as Veterinary Doctor Desingu
Sayaji Shinde as Gothandam
Pandu as Shanmugam's assistant
Loose Mohan as Pandu's father-in-law
Pyramid Natarajan as Natarajan
Periyar Dasan
Elango Kumaravel as Kaakaiyan
George Maryan as Maths Teacher
Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Sundaralingam

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.^[4]

#	Song	Lyrics	Singer(s)
1	"Paattu Solli Paada Solli"	Ilaiyaraaja	Sadhana Sargam
2	"Damakku Damakku Dum"	Palani Bharathi	Bhavatharini, Chorus
3	"Un Kuthama En Kuthama"	Ilaiyaraaja	Ilaiyaraaja
4	"Oru Sundari Vandhalam"	Karunanithi	P. Unnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam, Malgudi Subha
5	"Oliyile Therivadhu Devadhaya"	Ilaiyaraaja	Karthik, Bhavatharini
6	"Kuruvi Kodanja"	Palani Bharathi	Pushpavanam Kuppusamy, Swarnalatha

Release and reception[edit | edit source]

Azhagi was released on 14 January 2002, Pongal day.^[5] Sify wrote "Azhagi is a much talked about film, as it promises to usher in good cinema. The debutant director of the film is Thankar Bachchan, who has made a name for himself as one of the best cinematographers in Tamil.^[6] Visual Dasan of Kalki appreciated the film's plot and direction for realism while also praising the music, cinematography and performances of lead artistes.^[7] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote, "The sensitivity with which emotions have been portrayed, speaks volumes of the capabilities of director Thankar Bachchan who has already made a mark as a meritorious camera person".^[8]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Azhagi won the Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil.^[9] At the 49th National Film Awards, Sadhana Sargam won the award for Best Female Playback Singer for the song "Pattu Solli".^[10] At the 2002 SICA Awards, the film won in three categories: Best Actress (Nandita Das), Best Director (Thangar Bachan) and Best Music Director (Ilaiyaraaja).^[11]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

G. Dhananjayan in his book Pride of Tamil Cinema said, "A trendsetting film shows how childhood love remains in the hearts of people even after they have grown up and settled in their adult lives. It made a deep impact among the audience and aspiring film makers".^[12]

References[edit | edit source]

↑ "Udhaiyya Gheetha's Azhagi". British Board of Film Classification. 8 March 2003. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 411.
↑ Mohan Rao Ogirala (21 July 2004). "And quiet flows the don's sidekick..." The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2018.
↑ "Azhagi (2001)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
↑ Warrier, Shobha (14 January 2002). "Pongal releases". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
↑ "Azhagi". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
↑ தாசன், விசுவல் (20 January 2002). "அழகி". Kalki (in தமிழ்). pp. 1–2. Retrieved 10 November 2022 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
↑ Rangarajan, Malathi (18 January 2002). "Azhagi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 January 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
↑ "Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50". Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
↑ "49th National Film Awards". Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.
↑ "SICA Awards 2002". Cinesouth. 25 November 2003. Archived from the original on 16 February 2005. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 410.

Bibliography[edit | edit source]

Dhananjayan, G. (2014). Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013. Blue Ocean Publishers. OCLC 898765509.

External links[edit | edit source]

Azhagi on IMDb
Azhagi at Rotten Tomatoes

[1] "Udhaiyya Gheetha's Azhagi". British Board of Film Classification. 8 March 2003. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.

[FOOTNOTEDhananjayan2014411-2] Dhananjayan 2014, p. 411.

[3] Mohan Rao Ogirala (21 July 2004). "And quiet flows the don's sidekick..." The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 March 2019. Retrieved 28 November 2018.

[4] "Azhagi (2001)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 14 October 2008. Retrieved 4 October 2008.

[5] Warrier, Shobha (14 January 2002). "Pongal releases". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2022. Retrieved 1 March 2022.

[6] "Azhagi". Sify. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

[7] தாசன், விசுவல் (20 January 2002). "அழகி". Kalki (in தமிழ்). pp. 1–2. Retrieved 10 November 2022 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)

[8] Rangarajan, Malathi (18 January 2002). "Azhagi". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 January 2003. Retrieved 5 March 2023.

[9] "Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50". Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

[10] "49th National Film Awards". Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived from the original on 24 December 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2020.

[11] "SICA Awards 2002". Cinesouth. 25 November 2003. Archived from the original on 16 February 2005. Retrieved 12 February 2025.

[FOOTNOTEDhananjayan2014410-12] Dhananjayan 2014, p. 410.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{about || the 1953 film|Azhagi (1953 film)}}
+{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2023}}
-{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}}
+{{Use Indian English|date=January 2023}}
-{{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}}
 {{Infobox film
-| name           = Azhagi
 | image          = Azhagi 2002 poster.jpg
-| director       = [[Thangar Bachchan]]
+| caption        = Poster
-| writer         = [[Thangar Bachchan]]
+| director       = [[Thangar Bachan]]
-| starring       = [[Parthiban]]<br />[[Nandita Das]]<br />[[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]<br />[[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]]
+| writer         = Thangar Bachan
+| based_on       = {{based on|"Kalvettugal"|Thangar Bachan}}
 | producer       = Udhaya Geetha
-| cinematography = [[Thangar Bachchan]]
+| starring       = [[R. Parthiban|Parthiban]]<br />[[Nandita Das]]<br />[[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]
+| cinematography = Thangar Bachan
 | editing        = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
 | music          = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
 | studio         = Uthaya Geetha Productions
-| distributor    = Uthaya Geetha Productions
+| released       = {{film date|2002|1|14|df=y}}
-| released       = 14 January 2002
+| runtime        = 147 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2003 |title=Udhaiyya Gheetha's Azhagi |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/udhaiyya-gheethas-azhagi-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtnzu5nzu0 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301065724/https://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/udhaiyya-gheethas-azhagi-film-qxnzzxq6vlgtnzu5nzu0 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]}}</ref>
-| runtime        = 155 minutes
 | country        = India
 | language       = Tamil
 }}
-'''''Azhagi''''' ({{audio|Ta-அழகி.ogg|pronunciation}}) ({{trans|''Beautiful lady''}}) is a 2002 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language  [[romantic drama film]] directed by [[Thangar Bachchan]] based on his [[short story]] titled "Kalvettugal".<ref>{{Cite book|last=Dhananjayan|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=azhagi&pg=PA411|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition|date=2014-11-03|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|pages=411|language=en}}</ref> The film is critically acclaimed and stars [[Parthiban]], [[Nandita Das]] and [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]]. The film was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Letha Manasulu'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/And-quiet-flows-the-dons-sidekick/articleshow/785217.cms |title=And quiet flows the don's sidekick… |last=Mohan Rao Ogirala |date=21 July 2004 |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=28 November 2018}}</ref>
+'''''Azhagi''''' ({{audio|Ta-அழகி.ogg|pronunciation}}) ({{translation|''Beautiful lady''}}) is a 2002 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama film]] written and directed by [[Thangar Bachan]] in his directoral debut, based on his short story "Kalvettugal".{{Sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=411}} The film stars [[R. Parthiban|Parthiban]], [[Nandita Das]] and [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]. It was released on 14 January 2002 and won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil]]. The film was remade in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Letha Manasulu (2004 film)|Letha Manasulu]]'' in 2004.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mohan Rao Ogirala |date=21 July 2004 |title=And quiet flows the don's sidekick... |work=[[The Times of India]] |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/And-quiet-flows-the-dons-sidekick/articleshow/785217.cms |url-status=live |access-date=28 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329095506/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/hyderabad-times/And-quiet-flows-the-dons-sidekick/articleshow/785217.cms |archive-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>
-==Plot==
+== Plot ==
-Shanmugam ([[Parthiban]]), a veterinary doctor, lives in the city with his wife Valarmati ([[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]]) and their two children. In school, Shanmugam was in love with his classmate Dhanalakshmi ([[Nandita Das]]), but fate had forced them to go their separate ways, with Dhanam being forced to wed her brother-in-law ([[Sayaji Shinde]]). One day, Shanmugam spots Dhanam, who, having lost her husband, now lives a life of poverty on the platforms with her son Balu. After an unsuccessful attempt to find her a job in a friend's house, he hires her as their servant-maid. However, memories of the past start to create a tension between Shanmugam and Dhanam, despite their attempts to maintain a distance.
+Shanmugam, a veterinary doctor, lives in the city with his wife Valarmati and their two children. In school, Shanmugam was in love with his classmate Dhanalakshmi, but fate had forced them to go their separate ways, with Dhanam being forced to wed her brother-in-law ([[Sayaji Shinde]]). One day, Shanmugam spots Dhanam, who, having lost her husband, now lives a life of poverty on the platforms with her son Balu. After an unsuccessful attempt to find her a job in a friend's house, he hires her as their servant-maid. However, memories of the past start to create a tension between Shanmugam and Dhanam, despite their attempts to maintain a distance.
-One day, Valarmati finds out from Shanmugam's old classmates how they both were in love when they were young, and she starts fearing that Shanmugam will leave her and her children for Dhanam. Valarmati becomes so distraught that she even humiliates Dhanam at a party organized by one of their friends. When they return home, Valarmati confronts Shanmugam, and an argument ensues. Dhanam overhears their argument and silently goes to bed. The next morning, Dhanam and Balu are nowhere to be found. When Shanmugam searches the house, he finds a letter written by Dhanam saying that she wants Valarmati and Shanmugam to be happy and that she doesn't want to come between them. Soon, Valarmati realizes the truth and wants to bring Dhanam back home and ask her for her forgiveness.
+One day, Valarmati finds out from Shanmugam's old classmates how her husband and Dhanam were in love when they were young, and she starts fearing that Shanmugam might leave her and her children for Dhanam. Valarmati becomes so distraught that she even humiliates Dhanam at a party organised by one of their friends. When they return home, Valarmati confronts Shanmugam, and an argument ensues. Dhanam overhears their argument and silently goes to bed. The next morning, Dhanam and Balu are nowhere to be found. When Shanmugam searches the house, he finds a letter written by Dhanam, saying that she wants Valarmati and Shanmugam to be happy and doesn't want to come between them. Soon, Valarmati realises the truth and wants to bring Dhanam back home and ask her for her forgiveness.
-Shanmugam searches high and low for them and at last finds Balu in an orphanage. The matron informs them that his mother had left instructions that her son should remain at the orphanage till her return. However, when the matron questions Balu, he replies that he wants to go with Shanmugam and stay in their house and to tell his mother that he is there when she returns. The matron agrees and lets him go. At the beginning of the movie, it is mentioned that Balu has been adopted by Shanmugam but still continues to call him "Sir" and never "Father or "Dad". As Shanmugam leaves for home from the orphanage, he mentions that he is still searching for Dhanam's whereabouts to that day.
+Shanmugam searches everywhere for them and at last finds Balu in an orphanage. The matron informs them that his mother had left instructions that her son should remain at the orphanage till her return. However, when the matron questions Balu, he replies that he wants to go with Shanmugam and stay in their house and to tell his mother that he is there when she returns. The matron agrees and lets him go. At the beginning of the movie, it is mentioned that Balu has been adopted by Shanmugam but still continues to call him "Sir" and never "Father or "Dad". As Shanmugam leaves for home from the orphanage, he mentions that he is still searching for Dhanam's whereabouts to that day.
-==Cast==
+== Cast ==
-{{Colbegin}}
+{{cast listing|
-* [[Parthiban]] as Shanmugam (Veterinary Doctor)
+*[[R. Parthiban]] as Shanmugam
+** Ramu Saravanan as little Shanmugam
+** Sathish Stephen as young Shanmugam
 * [[Nandita Das]] as Dhanalakshmi aka Dhanam
-** [[Monica (actress)|Monica]] as Young Dhanalakshmi aka Dhanam
+** [[Monica (actress)|Monica]] as young Dhanalakshmi aka Dhanam
-* [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] as Valarmati
+* [[Devayani (actress)|Devayani]] as Valarmathi
-* [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as Veterinary Doctor Desigan
+* [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as Veterinary Doctor Desingu
-* [[Pandu (actor)|Pandu]] as Shanmugam's assistant, Minister
+* [[Sayaji Shinde]] as Gothandam
+* [[Pandu (actor)|Pandu]] as Shanmugam's assistant
 * [[Loose Mohan]] as Pandu's father-in-law
-* [[Sayaji Shinde]] as Dhanalakshmi's husband
+* [[Pyramid Natarajan]] as Natarajan
-* [[Pyramid Natarajan]]
 * [[Periyar Dasan]]
-* [[Elango Kumaravel]]
+* [[Elango Kumaravel]] as Kaakaiyan
-* [[George Maryan]]
+* [[George Maryan]] as Maths Teacher
-* Ram Saravana as Shanmugam (Child artist)
+* [[Vennira Aadai Moorthy]] as Sundaralingam
-{{Colend}}
+}}
-==Soundtrack==
+== Soundtrack ==
-{{Infobox album
+The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azhagi (2001) |url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000383 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014232443/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0000383 |archive-date=14 October 2008 |access-date=4 October 2008 |website=[[Raaga.com]]}}</ref>
-| name         = Azhagi
-| type         = Soundtrack
-| artist       = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
-| cover        =
-| alt          =
-| released     = 2002
-| recorded     =
-| venue        =
-| studio       =
-| genre        = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
-| length       =
-| label        = Roja/Mass Audios
-| producer     =
-| prev_title   = [[Usire]]
-| prev_year    = 2001
-| year         = 2002
-| next_title   = [[Devan (film)|Devan]]
-| next_year    = 2002
-}}
-The soundtrack features songs composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]], with lyrics by Ilaiyaraaja, Palani Bharathi and Karunanithi.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=t0000383 |title=''Azhagi Soundtrack'' at Raaga|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014232443/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0000383 |date=14 October 2008 |archive-date=14 October 2008|work=Raaga}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
 {| class="wikitable tracklist" style="font-size:95%;"
-! Song
+! #
-!Lyrics!! Singer(s)
+! Song
+! Lyrics
+! Singer(s)
 |-
-|"Paattu Solli Paada Solli"
+| 1
-|Ilaiyaraaja||[[Sadhana Sargam]]
+| "Paattu Solli Paada Solli"
+| Ilaiyaraaja
+| [[Sadhana Sargam]]
 |-
-|"Damakku Damakku Dum"
+| 2
-|Palani Bharathi||[[Bhavatharini]], Chorus
+| "Damakku Damakku Dum"
+| [[Palani Bharathi]]
+| [[Bhavatharini]], Chorus
 |-
-|"Un Kuthama En Kuthama"
+| 3
-|Ilaiyaraaja||Ilaiyaraaja
+| "Un Kuthama En Kuthama"
+| Ilaiyaraaja
+| Ilaiyaraaja
 |-
-|"Oru Sundari Vandhalam"
+| 4
-|Karunanithi||[[P. Unni Krishnan]], Sadhana Sargam, [[Malgudi Subha]]
+| "Oru Sundari Vandhalam"
+| Karunanithi
+| [[P. Unnikrishnan]], Sadhana Sargam, [[Malgudi Subha]]
 |-
-|"Oliyile Therivadhu Devadhaya"
+| 5
-|Ilaiyaraaja||[[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], Bhavatharini
+| "Oliyile Therivadhu Devadhaya"
+| Ilaiyaraaja
+| [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]], Bhavatharini
 |-
-|"Kuruvi Kodanja"
+| 6
-|Palani Bharathi||[[Pushpavanam Kuppusamy]], [[Swarnalatha]]
+| "Kuruvi Kodanja"
+| [[Palani Bharathi]]
+| [[Pushpavanam Kuppusamy]], [[Swarnalatha]]
 |}
-==Awards==
+== Release and reception ==
-[[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer]] received by [[Sadhana Sargam]] for the song "Pattu Solli"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm49NFAAward.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105444/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm49NFAAward.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-24|title=Directorate of Film Festival|date=2013-12-24|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>
+''Azhagi'' was released on 14 January 2002, [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=14 January 2002 |title=Pongal releases |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jan/14pongal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301070617/https://www.rediff.com/movies/2002/jan/14pongal.htm |archive-date=1 March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> ''[[Sify]]'' wrote "''Azhagi'' is a much talked about film, as it promises to usher in good cinema. The debutant director of the film is Thankar Bachchan, who has made a name for himself as one of the best cinematographers in Tamil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Azhagi |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/azhagi-review-tamil-pclunkhdjbbjh.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228195136/http://www.sify.com/movies/azhagi-review-tamil-pclunkhdjbbjh.html |archive-date=28 December 2016 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> Visual Dasan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' appreciated the film's plot and direction for realism while also praising the music, cinematography and performances of lead artistes.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விசுவல் |date=20 January 2002 |title=அழகி |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2002-01-20/page/n3/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230207060234/https://archive.org/details/kalki2002-01-20/page/n3/mode/2up |archive-date=7 February 2023 |access-date=10 November 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page= |pages=1–2 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "The sensitivity with which emotions have been portrayed, speaks volumes of the capabilities of director Thankar Bachchan who has already made a mark as a meritorious camera person".<ref>{{cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=18 January 2002 |title=Azhagi |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/01/18/stories/2002011801400202.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030128141326/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/01/18/stories/2002011801400202.htm |archive-date=28 January 2003 |access-date=5 March 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
-[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://portal.bsnl.in/intranetnews.asp?url=/bsnl/asp/content%20mgmt/html%20content/entertainment/entertainment14489.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721152719/http://portal.bsnl.in/intranetnews.asp?url=%2Fbsnl%2Fasp%2Fcontent%20mgmt%2Fhtml%20content%2Fentertainment%2Fentertainment14489.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=21 July 2011|date=2011-07-21|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=Azhagi Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos {{!}} eTimes|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-details/azhagi/movieshow/61316476.cms|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>
+== Accolades ==
+''Azhagi'' won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manikchand Filmfare Awards: Sizzling at 50 |url=http://portal.bsnl.in/intranetnews.asp?url=/bsnl/asp/content%20mgmt/html%20content/entertainment/entertainment14489.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721152719/http://portal.bsnl.in/intranetnews.asp?url=%2Fbsnl%2Fasp%2Fcontent%20mgmt%2Fhtml%20content%2Fentertainment%2Fentertainment14489.html |archive-date=21 July 2011 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=[[Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited]]}}</ref> At the [[49th National Film Awards]], [[Sadhana Sargam]] won the [[National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer|award for Best Female Playback Singer]] for the song "Pattu Solli".<ref>{{Cite web |title=49th National Film Awards |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm49NFAAward.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224105444/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm49NFAAward.aspx |archive-date=24 December 2013 |access-date=31 March 2020 |website=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]}}</ref> At the 2002 SICA Awards, the film won in three categories: Best Actress (Nandita Das), Best Director (Thangar Bachan) and Best Music Director (Ilaiyaraaja).<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2003 |title=SICA Awards 2002 |url=https://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/25112003-3.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050216210833/http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/25112003-3.shtml |archive-date=2005-02-16 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref>
-== Reception ==
+== Legacy ==
+[[G. Dhananjayan]] in his book ''[[Pride of Tamil Cinema]]'' said, "A trendsetting film shows how childhood love remains in the hearts of people even after they have grown up and settled in their adult lives. It made a deep impact among the audience and aspiring film makers".{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|p=410}}
-=== Critical reception ===
+== References ==
-Sify.com wrote "''Azhagi'' is a much talked about film, as it promises to usher in good cinema. The debutant director of the film is Thankar Bachchan,who has made a name for himself as one of the best cinematographers in Tamil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/azhagi-review-tamil-pclunkhdjbbjh.html|title=Azhagi|website=Sify|language=en|access-date=2020-03-31}}</ref>
+{{reflist}}
-G Dhananjayan in his book ''"Pride of Tamil Cinema 1931-2013"'' says " A trendsetting film shows how childhood love remains in the hearts of people even after they have grown up and settled in their adult lives. It made a deep impact among the audience and aspiring film makers.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|last=Dhananjayan|first=G.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&q=azhagi&pg=PA411|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition|date=2014-11-03|publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers|pages=410|language=en}}</ref>
+== Bibliography ==
+* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509 |author-link=G. Dhananjayan}}
-==References==
+== External links ==
-{{reflist}}
+* {{IMDb title}}
+* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
-==External links==
-* {{IMDb title|0459186|Azhagi}}
-* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081014232443/http://www.raaga.com/channels/tamil/moviedetail.asp?mid=T0000383 ''Azhagi Soundtrack'' at Raaga]
-* [https://archive.today/20130201184828/http://www.sanidapa.com/search/Azhagi/1/mp3/all/c0 ''Azhagi Mp3 songs'' at Sanidapa]
 {{Thangar Bachan}}
-{{FilmfareAwardBestTamilMovie}}
+{{Filmfare Award for Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil}}
+[[Category:2002 Indian films]]
+[[Category:2002 Tamil-language films]]
+[[Category:2002 directorial debut films]]
 [[Category:2002 films]]
-[[Category:Indian films]]
+[[Category:2002 romantic drama films]]
-[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
+[[Category:Films based on Indian short stories]]
+[[Category:Films directed by Thangar Bachan]]
 [[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
+[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
 [[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
-[[Category:2000s Tamil-language films]]
+[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
-[[Category:2002 romantic drama films]]
+[[Category:Tamil-language romantic drama films]]
-[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]
-[[Category:2002 directorial debut films]]
-[[Category:Films directed by Thangar Bachan]]