- K. Balachander’s Masterpiece on Poverty and Politics
- Kamal Haasan and the Fire of Frustration
- Beyond Hunger: Analyzing Akali Rajyam
The youth in eighties identified themselves with the Kamal Hasan, hero of K. Balachander’s 1981 Telugu film Aakali Rajyam (Kingdom of Hunger).In the film, Kamal played the role of Ranga Rao, who struggled to get a job. The film is a classic social satire focusing on unemployment and poverty. It was simultaneously shot in Tamil as Varumayin Niram Sivappu (The Color of Poverty is Red). The film theme remains highly relevant today due to its exploration of persistent issues like unemployment, the value of education (specifically history), and societal hypocrisies. It gives a voice to the angst of hot-headed youngsters whose ideals clash with societal norms.
The unemployed youth connected to the role of Ranga Rao in general and the song like
హేహేహేహేహేహేహేహే ఏఏహే రురురురురూరురూరూరురు
సాపాటుఎటూ లేదు పాటైనా పాడు బ్రదర్
సాపాటుఎటూ లేదు పాటైనా పాడు బ్రదర్
రాజధాని నగరంలో వీధి వీధినీది నాదే … బ్రదర్
స్వతంత్రదేశంలోచావుకుడా పెళ్లిలాంటిదే… బ్రదర్
in particular. It has been described as an “evergreen hit” with a memorable song, “Saapatuetuledhupatainapaadu brother”.
Critical Acclaim and Impact
The story revolves around a group of educated, unemployed men struggling in Delhi. Kamal Haasan plays the protagonist, an atheist and a Marxist, whose idealism is refreshingly portrayed without being preachy. Sridevi plays the female lead, an actress whose on-stage and off-stage life creates a compelling conflict that reinforces the film’s “world is a stage” theme. It was a commercial success, reportedly a bigger hit in Telugu than in Tamil at the time. Kamal Haasan won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor Telugu for his role. Articles analyze the film from a philosophical lens, specifically exploring themes of nihilism through the protagonist’s character arc.
Sri Sri-Aathreya Songs and Ganesh Pathro dialogues Hit
The film features music by M. S. Viswanathan, with dialogue by Ganesh Patro and lyrics by prominent writers like Sri Sri and Aacharya Aatreya. Kamal Haasan is heard reciting the poems of revolutionary writer Sri Sri in the Telugu version. The film was later remade in Hindi as Zara Si Zindagi (1983), also directed by Balachander, with Kamal Haasan reprising his role.
In all the selected K Balachander’s films female characters were seen controlling their own emotions like in ‘Akali rajyam’ where Devi (Sridevi) was scolded by Theatre director Pratap Pratap pothan) who is obsessed with Devi and he cannot tolerate her closeness with Ranga, (kamalhaasan) with whom she is in love. Devi never considers him as her would be and she develop relationship with Ranga, that doesn’t digest by Pratap because he hates and jealous about Ranga.
Ranga could not get any job, because of his straightforwardness and he is unable to accustom to the injustice prevailing in the society and asks her to choose a better life partner as he lost all his confidence of making a decent life. In Akali rajyam, Ranga character is still valid today, generic problem like unemployment and the film was shot in Delhi, songs like “Tu hein Raja, mein hu Rani, the movie is all out an issue on unemployment butentertains and engages the audience with its concept-based film.
Principle Correspondent, Prime Post
Vidya Sagar Chaturvedula is a passionate film enthusiast whose four-decade career spans multiple sectors, including media and industry. Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and English, he has a deep appreciation for cinema, particularly films in those three languages. His passion goes beyond simple viewing; he enjoys analyzing directional skill, the emotional depth of actors’ performances, and the profound meaning embedded in dialogue. Mr. Sagar is known for his ability to clearly articulate and narrate his insightful film analyses after watching a movie.
This is very good film made y Balachander. Kamal Haasan and sridevi’s action was superb. This film clear narrates the un-employment and the un-employees problems and difficulties that they usually face. Good narration about the film Mr Sagar
Thank You Murali.
It’s a film nicely picturised about unemployment in India, in the direction of K. Balachander. He is the best director in highlighting social problems. Kamalhasan and Sridevi did excellent job. It’s a musical hit also. It’s a super hit film.
ఆకలిరాజ్యం..ఈసినిమాలో కమల్ హాసన్ శ్రీదేవి చాలా బాగా నటించారు. ఇందులో నిరుద్యోగసమస్య, పేదరికం కష్టాలు చూపించారు చాలా బాగుంది. సాపాటు ఎటులేదు అన్న పాట చాలా హిట్టయింది. ఇప్పటికి అందరూ సరదాగా పాడుకుంటారు ఈసినిమా చాలా హిట్టయింది
The script and theme of this film owes something special to Srirangam Srinivasarao, which subject brilliantly selected by K.Blachandar exposing the social injustices towards youth especially including poverty and unemployment.
Atheistic rather altruistic.
All the cast of this film gave their best in their character to name one and all. M.S.Viswanathan music is next level. No doubt its a masterpiece. Good review.
Translate as Rule of Hunger where the conservative social outlook and dreams get outlived and adaptation to the new rules in order to survive. Be it harvesting edible items from a gutter or garbage and making any job a career. Romance and villainy being part of the story.
The picture was released when the unemployment was peak. Society is very alarming particularly for a person to lead a honest straight forward life. Compramisation in life is the solution suggested by the director. All the actors performed well. It is also a musical hit.
Balchanders Akali Rajyam is hit movie.
Inspite of kamal hasan when we t. Round areas to get a job but in vain picture clearly says un emplyment politics linked
Due to pressure failed to grab job
Music and songs highlighted
All the actors played their role in
High standard.
Finally family oriented movie
Youth should know about this
Movie.
Akali Rajyam is a sensational movie of our times directed by Balachandran.
Actors like Kamal and Sridevi lived on their roles.
Songs are superb and hatsoff to Sri Sri for his lirics.
Overall the film is superb and touched the hearts of jobless youth of 80s.
Great performances by Kamal Haasan and Sridevi. Songs were super hit. Akali Rajyam movie was about unemployment very well directed by K Balachandran.
Very good Review Sagar garu.
బాలచందర్ గారి డైరెక్షన్ లో వచ్చిన ఆకలి రాజ్యం నిరుద్యోగ సమస్య కి అద్దం పడుతుంది.కమల్ యాక్షన్ గురించి శ్రీదేవి గారి గురించి చెప్పక్కరలేదు.ఆకలి ఎంత పనైనా చేయిస్తుంది అని ఫ్రెండ్ పాత్ర ద్వారా చెప్తారు.బాలచందర్ గారి మూవీస్ అన్ని నిజాలని నిక్కచ్చిగా చెప్పే మూవీస్