Vedham Pudhithu

Vedham Pudhithu
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Bharathiraja
Screenplay by	Bharathiraja
Based on	Saadhigal Illaiyadi Papa by K. Kannan
Starring	Sathyaraj Saritha Amala
Cinematography	B. Kannan[1]
Edited by	P. Mohan Raj
Music by	Devendran
Production company	Janani Art Creations
Release date	27 December 1987 (1987-12-27)
Running time	130 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Vedham Pudhithu (/veɪðəm pʊðɪðʊ/ transl. The new Vedas) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed and co-written by Bharathiraja. It is based on the play Saadhigal Illaiyadi Papa by K. Kannan, who wrote the film adaptation's dialogues and became known as Vedham Pudhithu Kannan. The film stars Sathyaraj, Saritha and Amala, with Raja, Charuhasan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Janagaraj and Master Dasarathi in supporting roles. It revolves around an atheist whose son falls in love with a Brahmin woman in the same village, leading to catastrophic consequences.

Vedham Pudhithu criticises the caste system, Tamil Brahminism and their hypocrisies. It was released on 27 December 1987, and became controversial for its depiction of Tamil Brahmins, with the Tamil Nadu Brahmins Association calling for its banning. Despite this, it became a critical and commercial success. The film won three Filmfare Awards South – Best Film – Tamil, Best Director – Tamil and Best Actor – Tamil (Sathyaraj) – and two National Film Awards – Best Film on Other Social Issues and Best Editing (P. Mohan Raj).