A lot of Balachader's movies broke stereotypes and much ahead of it's times. This is a very unconventional and shocking story of a daughter in a Brahmin family secretely turning to a prostitute to feed her large family. The mom keeps having children they can't afford to feed, there is a social message there. I don't understand some of the criticisms about portraying a Brahmin prostitute... why not! The point is that this girl was willing to do what it took to take care of the family and the fact that she's from a Brahmin family and her dad was a priest only drives the nail harder. It shows the guts this initially careless and naive young girl had, to do to what she had to do, given the horrible circumstances she was put through and sacrifice she made for the family that did not do anything in return. A very powerful story, wonderful direction and a very strong storyline with no frills makes this movie a powerful gut wrenching, poignant classic. Movies such as this are hard to come by, especially in the these times of unrealistic Hollywood and Bollywood movies made to appeal the masses. The fact that a storyline like Arangetram was not only conceived but turned into a successful movie shows what a truly great director K. Balachander was.
