Veedu-1988-Tamil

Veedu (Eng: House) is a 1988 Indian Tamil-language film directed by Balu Mahendra. Starring Archana as the central character, it depicts the difficulties faced by a middle-class family in building a house. Apart from directing, Balu Mahendra wrote the script, photographed and did the editing as well. Veedu’s score by Ilaiyaraaja earned critical acclaim. At the 35th National Film Awards, Veedu received two awards including one for the Best Tamil Film. Archana won the National Film Award for Best Actress in 1987 for her role in this film. Veedu was also screened at the “Indian Panorama” of the International Film Festival of India in 1988. Apart from winning critical acclaim,the film made on a budget of 12 lakhs collected 72 lakhs at the box-office. Veedu is widely considered to be one of the best films of Balu Mahendra.
Sudha, a 22-year-old unmarried woman, lives in an apartment in the Indian city of Madras with her younger sister (Indhu) and grandfather (Murugesan). She is engaged to her colleague Gopi. The owner of the tenement wants all the families to vacate the place as he intends to construct another building on the same site. Sudha’s attempts for searching an alternative house turn out to be unsuccessful as her family could not afford the rents fixed by them. At this juncture, she is advised by Iyengar, one of her colleagues, to start constructing a new house. Though initially hesitant, she decides to build a house after Iyengar motivates her. Sudha’s grandfather already owns two construction sites in the outskirts of the city. They decide to construct the house on one of them and sell the other one to raise money. In addition, she also seeks a housing loan and pledges her jewels for money. During this time, Sudha gets introduced to a building contractor who drafts a plan for the house. To get the plan approved they had to bribe a government official. By this time, unexpected rains halt the construction thereby inflating the cost. Though Gopi comes forward to provide financial assistance, Sudha declines it stating that his sister’s marriage would get affected if he provided money.
A kind-hearted Mangamma, a construction worker, helps Sudha in the construction. When she finds that the contractor steals materials from the site, she informs Sudha which in turn leads to the contractor quitting. Mangamma along with her supervisor, and Iyengar help Sudha during this time as the construction work resumes. Meanwhile, as the sanctioning of loan gets delayed, Sudha seeks monetary help from her superior. She becomes even more dejected only to know that he is a womanizer. With all her funds exhausted, she decides to halt the construction. But Gopi offers some assistance and the work continues to progress further. An excited Murugesan visits the site alone on a Sunday and passes away while returning home. Sudha becomes depressed over the situation. When the house is nearing completion, and when Sudha and Gopi appraise each other, an official from the “Metropolitan Water Authority” lands at the site and asks them how can they construct a house in a land which was already acquired by the authority. In the end, Sudha is shown sitting in the panchayat office and voice over states that she is seeking justice in the court.

Directed by Balu Mahendra
Produced by Kaladas
Written by Balu Mahendra
Story by Akhila Mahendra
Starring Archana, Bhanuchander
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography Balu Mahendra
Edited by Balu Mahendra
Production Sri Kala International
Release date 1988
Running time 108 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil

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