Nirakudam (1977)

Dharmapalan (Adoor Bhasi) and his younger brother Satyapalan (Nellikkodu Bhaskaran) live together along with their families. The big happy joint family comprises the childless Dharmapalan and Satyapalan who has two sons - Devan (Kamal Haassan) and Rajan (Sudheer) who is studying in a college in the city. Devan's left leg and hand were paralysed due to an electric shock while he was still a child. Dharmapalan's wife Bhargavi (Sukumari) is jealous of Satyapalan's family and invites her brother's children Prabhakaran (Jose Prakash) and Usha (Reena) to live with them. Prabhakaran plans and organises Usha's marriage with Rajan. He also creates a rift between the brother's families, ensuring that the families separate. Satyapalan and his wife Sati (Kaviyoor Ponnamma) find it difficult to find a bride for Devan. But Santha (Sridevi), an orphan maid, volunteers to marry Devan. Eventually Devan and Rajan are blessed with children. Prabhakaran borrows money from Bhargavi and Rajan to invest in a dance show business in the city with Margarette (Kadeeja) and her daughter (Usha Rani). Prabhakaran loses heavily in the dance shows. Rajan had taken money from his office and is under pressure to return the money. In the meanwhile Santha decides to get Devan treated for his handicap and they come to the city. Bhargavi and Rajan demand that Prabhakaran returns their money. Prabhakaran, desperate to make money, snatches Devan's child and tries to organise a circus show involving an elephant and Devan's child. Both Devan and Santha reach the venue. Devan, desperate to save his child from the elephant, comes in contact with a live wire and gets an electric shock. As a result of the shock he recovers and saves his child. A happy ending to the family drama that upholds family values. Prabhakaran is arrested. The separated families of Dharmapalan and Satyapalan are united and they live together happily.