Satyam (1976 film)

Dharmalingam is the chieftain of his village known for keeping his word and his pacifism. His wife Sivakami educated brother Kumaran and Kumaran's betrothed, Vani, live together happily. Gowri, Kumaran's college mate who also happens to be the richest woman in the village falls in love with Kumaran.

Sokkanathan is Gowri's guardian and is classist wanting to keep the poor poor so that they stay under him. Due to his machinations, the poor villagers' house gets burnt. Seeing Dharmalingan's plight and tears, Gowri promises to rebuild their houses and give them the lands she has in excess much to chagrin on Sokkanathan. She even fires Sokkanathan upon her eighteenth birthday as her agent leaving him rudderless. Due to her beneficent nature, Dharmalingan gives her a carte blanch word that she can ask anything she wants at any time which he will give her so long it is in his power. She uses this to her advantage and asks for Kumaran. After a huge showdown, Kumaran succumbs to pressure and marries Gowri deciding to punish his own brother and Gowri.

He takes back everything Gowri has given and refuses to even see his brother. Vani meanwhile has taken up ascetism and starts living in temple. Kumaran gets into a major accident which causes everyone to gather together, and, in the end, Vani fasts to death praying to God which helps Kumaran survive at the cost of Vani's life.

Satyam was an adaptation of the play Vidhi.^[3] The play was written by S. A. Kannan who directed the film adaptation. Kamal Haasan was paired with Manjula which remained their only collaboration in their career.^[4] The film was announced in 1973.^[5]

The soundtrack was composed by K. V. Mahadevan and lyrics were written by Kannadasan.^[6][7] The song "Kalyana Kovilil" attained popularity.^[4]