32 years of 'Punnagai Mannan': Why the Kamal Haasan film is still in our hearts

'Punnagai Mannan' was the sixth time that K Balachander and Kamal Haasan collaborated, and was a Diwali release on November 1st, 1986.

A movie directed by Balachander with Kamal Haasan in the lead was always a sure hit in the 80s. 'Punnagai Mannan' was the sixth time that the actor-director duo collaborated. The film was a Diwali release on November 1st, 1986. (Photos | YouTube screengra 

The film is considered to be the sequel of the 1981 Telugu film 'Maro Charitra', in which Kamal's character attempts suicide with his lover, by jumping off a cliff. Punnagai Mannan begins with a similar suicide scene, in which Kamal's character Sethu survives the suicide. (Photos | YouTube screengrab)

All the songs, composed by Ilaiyaraaja were a hit, with SP Balasubrahmanyam and Chitra's voices dominating the album. The popular 'Punnagai Mannan theme', a piano tune, was in fact played by AR Rahman, who was part of Ilaiyaraaja's troop at the time. IN PIC: A young AR Rahman, who was then known as Dileep. (Photo | EPS)

The film was also known for its amazing dance choreographies. (Photos | YouTube screengrab)

Kamal plays a double action in film. Apart from the main character Sethu, he also plays his uncle, Chaplin Chellappa, who hides his sorrow by dressing up as Chaplin to make others laugh. In a past interview, the veteran actor revealed that this character was born out of admiration for Charlie Chaplin.(Photo | YouTube screengrab)

Actor Revathi won several accolades for her role in the film. She plays a charming yet bold Sinhalese woman named Malini who joins Sethu's dance classes, and eventually falls in love with him. (Photo | YouTube screengrab, EPS)

One of the scenes that were most enjoyed by the audience, is one where Sethu dances with Malini and ends up confessing to her that he is in love with her. The scene is well-portrayed by Kamal, who aptly showed the Sethu was afraid to fall in love again, after the passing of his previous lover. (Photos | YouTube screengrab)