Akshay Shah Reviews “SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL” (Tamil, 1978)

Akshay Shah Reviews “SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL” (Tamil, 1978)

Kamal Hassan is no doubt an actor who has for the most presented the viewer with something different in all his movies, something away from the usual track of films. SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL is a earlier film of Kamal Hassan, and is one of the most path-breaking and trend-setting films from Tamil Cinema, and one that still holds the test of time very well as a gritty and offbeat thriller. Yes the flaws are glaringly obvious now, but given this movie was made almost 30 years ago…its quiet a feat!




Kamal Hassan plays Dileep-a young mild mannered businessman by day, who has a very dark side. During the day he is a CEO of a export company, but during the night he is a raging psychopath who indulges in violent serial killings. He flatters young girls with their charm, ravishes them and then murders them in cold blood. After each murder, the girl is buried in his back garden and a red rose is planted on top.

Dileeps latest prey is Sarada(Sridevi) who works at a clothing shop, and Dileep manages to win her heart as well and they two get married, slowly Sarada picks up theres something not quiet right about his behaviour until she stumbles upon the shocking truth about Dileep and his deranged lifestyle.

Via a flashback we find out Dileeps psychotic behaviour stems from his younger years where he was severely mistreated by a women in his younger years which leaves an unforgettable impression on his mind. Later he starts working for a businessman, and his wife too has a torrid affair again leaving a negative impression of women in young Dileeps mind. The businessman murders his wife and takes young Dileep in as his own son, but in the process ends up losing his mind. What happens next? SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL provides the answers.

As a director Bharathiraja deserves a standing ovation for directing such a whacky, psychotic, eerie and weird thriller which leaves an unforgettable impression almost 30 years after it was made. Breaking norms and taking strides away from “formula” Bharathiraja takes the viewer on a gripping and pulse-pounding journey into the lifestyle of a psycho which makes for a rather eerie and very freaky movie. His inspiration and touches from Hollywoods “shlocker” genre like THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE and THE HILLS HAVE EYES is evident in parts, however this is NOT a cheap rehash by any means, and is a completely original and innovative piece of work. He has written the story with immense detail, slowly letting the character of Dileep grow on the viewer without giving away too much. We’re always intrigued by his character and never know quiet what to expect as we’re well aware that all is not that meets the eye, however the turn of events and revelations in the second half catch the viewer off guard and is quiet disturbing in parts. The screenplay is simply SUPERB! The movie starts off with a relatively slow pace setting the scene as to what’s to follow. We don’t actually get to witness many of the murders itself, and Bharathiraja lets the viewer decipher the background of the story for themselves without taking their intelligent for granted; we know Dileep has killed countless girls yet there isn’t a large amount of violence in the movie. The only point I felt where the movie could’ve explained itself better was the revelation of Dileeps father still being alive in the climax, living in a “outhouse” at the bottom of their house watching the steps of his son. We know that he’s mentally deranged but why does he act like a Zombie when Sridevi stumbles upon them? Also what is wrong with the caretaker? An obvious tongue-in-cheek homage to Romeros classic Zombie films is also evident, though it doesn’t quiet gel with the movies story.

Director Bharathiraja knows too well from the start what kind of movie he was making, and stays true to his convictions. The revelation of the reasoning behind Kamals killings and behaviour has been extremely well executed and the flashback leaves its mark on the viewers minds. The entire building of suspense has been magnificently done, and where the first half builds up the suspense and mystery, the second half lets loose of all the “thrills and chills” with plenty of “jump” moments. The entire climax with the silent chase sequence is simply mind-blowing, and an absolute masterstroke as Sridevi runs through the quiet streets at night with Kamal chasing her, and there is no heavy background music or over-the-top noises..Just the natural sound of surreal silence-stunning! Bharathirajasir….a stunning piece of work here, and one that deserves respect.

Kamal Hassan is simply excellent as the psychotic Dileep. In the initial sequences as a “normal” man who is smooth with the opposite sex, to the second half where his true colours are revealed the actor gives an outstanding account of himself getting right into the skin of his character. His body language, getup, eyes and delivery are simply brilliant to say the least. Just witness the scene where he loses his cool around Sridevi and goes into a fit or the murder of the waiter who can get him caught, or finally the entire climax sequence. Eerie and chilling Kamal leaves an unforgettable impression of the viewer in a brave and daring performance.

A pre nose-job Sridevi is great too! Given she was only in her teens here she gives a confident and convincing performance as the unaware wife of Dileep who falls for his charms only to be slowly revealed to the shocking truth. She gives a sensitive performance, and given that there was plenty of room for loud shrills and shrieks, she does NOT go overboard at all and gives a controlled performance.

Vadivukkrasi and Bhagyaraj both are apt in their supporting roles.

Illyarajas music is fantastic too! The manner in which Bharathiraja has merged the music in with the movie yet keeps ensures that the pace of the movie isn’t jeopardised is a feat on it’s own for that era. Indha Minminikki and Ninaivo Oru Paravai are melodious and lilting.

All up SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL is a must-see! Since it was made we have seen the whole “serial killer/psychotic killer” genre introduced in Bollywood and it has been improvised on yet SIGAPPU ROJAKKAL will always be the original and one that plays out well even today.

Overall Rating=8.0/10.0

Trivia: The movie was remade by Bharathiraja himself two years later in 1980 with Rajesh Khanna playing the psychotic killer and Poona, Dhillon playing his wife. I haven’t seen the remake, however I can’t see a Superstar like Rajesh Khanna playing the psychotic killer with as much naturalness and flair as Kamal Hassan has played it.