Synopsis
Aalavandhan is a 2001 Indian action thriller film directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by Kalaipuli S. Thanu.
The film features Kamal Haasan in dual roles, alongside Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Sarath Babu, Gollapudi Maruti Rao, Madurai G.S. Mani, and Milind Gunaji.
The story follows Abhay (Haasan), who has a disturbed childhood and severe mental trauma, as he mistakenly identifies Raveena Tandon's character Tejasvini as his evil stepmother. He escapes from a mental asylum to fulfill his duty towards his twin brother Major Vijay (also played by Haasan) by getting rid of the woman.
The film is an adaptation of the 1984 novel Dhayam, written by Kamal Haasan, and incorporates elements of magical realism. It was simultaneously shot in Tamil and Hindi, with the latter version titled Abhay, featuring three different actors in supporting roles.
Aalavandhan won the National Film Award for Best Special Effects and gained cult status over time, earning praise from critics for being ahead of its time. The film was retrospectively screened at the 2016 Fantastic Fest, where it received a standing ovation.
