Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey

Gopi is an unemployed graduate from a middle class society and Vinod is a rich graduate from high society returning from abroad after his father's death. To claim the property of Vinod, the estate manager with his mob guys assaults him and make him a drug addict by repeated injections administered by a fake doctor. Gopi's lover Padmini's father, a family friend of Vinod's father, together with Padmini, come to the estate on an excursion. Due to her curiosity, she sees Vinod and finds out that he is in a dangerous state of health due to the drug addiction. Padmini later learns that Gopi and Vinod are twins separated at birth. With the help of the house's servant, Padmini replaces Vinod with Gopi and sends him to his mother's house to save him. Gopi takes it upon himself to save the estate and properties from the hands of the estate manager, his accomplice and his assistant. == Cast ==

After the success of Nadodi Mannan (1958), M. G. Ramachandran wanted his second directorial to be titled as Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey named after the song from the film, however the project was shelved. In 1983, AVM Productions launched a film with the same name starring Kamal Haasan. Haasan portrayed two distinct roles, and the cinematographer Babu used mask shots to differentiate the roles. The song "Vaanam Keezhe" took 17 days to be completed; this song was taken at a cost of . The song "Summa Nikkathinga" was shot at Vijaya Gardens. == Soundtrack ==

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics for all songs were written by Vaali. For the Malayalam-dubbed version Vasantholsavam, all lyrics were written by Poovachal Khader, and Rajasri wrote the lyrics for the Telugu-dubbed version Jalsa Rayudu. The song "Naanaga Naanillai" was well received and it based on Chandrakauns raga which resembles Hindolam. The song "Vaanam Keezhe" is set in Hamsadhvani raga. In early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, a version of "Varuthu Varuthu" with rewritten lyrics spreading awareness about COVID-19, became viral. == Release and reception ==

Thoongathey Thambi Thoongathey was released on 4 November 1983, and completed a 275-day run at the box office. Jayamanmadhan of Kalki praised the music and cinematography, but panned the car, helicopter chasing scenes as lifeless and concluded saying among the films that come with the label of fast-paced films, this one has a high mark. Balumani of Anna praised acting, Babu's cinematography, Ilaiyaraaja's music and humour and noted the film moves swiftly without bore. == References ==