Devaraagam

Devaraagam

Year: 1996

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Bharathan

DramaRomance

Lakshmi’s world is turned upside down when Vishnu, the newly arrived son of the village priest, comes to her hamlet. Instantly drawn to him, she pursues a connection, leading to playful misunderstandings and a growing romance. As their love deepens, Vishnu’s social standing creates obstacles, and Lakshmi finds herself betrothed to her cousin, complicating their future.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Devaraagam (1996)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Devaraagam (1996). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

contemporary era, with references to traditional practices

The movie takes place in a contemporary period that respects traditional customs and beliefs. It explores societal norms, religious rituals, and caste distinctions still prevalent in Indian village life, while also touching upon timeless themes of love and sacrifice.

Location

village, cremation grounds

The movie is set primarily in a tranquil village environment with key scenes at a cremation ground. The village provides a backdrop of traditional Indian rural life, while the cremation grounds symbolize mortality and spiritual rituals. These settings are integral to the cultural and emotional fabric of the story.

🏡 Rural 🔥 Cremation 🕯️ Spiritual

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

Main Characters – Devaraagam (1996)

Meet the key characters of Devaraagam (1996), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Lakshmi (Sridevi)

Lakshmi is a compassionate woman caught in the constraints of societal and familial duties. Her love for Vishnu, her secret marriage, and her loyalty to her family showcase her emotional resilience and moral complexity amid challenging circumstances.

❤️ Love 💔 Heartbreak 🤲 Loyalty

Vishnu (Arvind Swamy)

Vishnu is a devout priest’s son burdened by societal expectations and personal guilt. His spiritual pursuits and tragic love story reflect his inner conflict and quest for redemption amidst the pain of separation and societal judgment.

🙏 Faith 💔 Tragedy 🚶‍♂️ Redemption

Lakshmi’s husband (not specified actor)

Lakshmi’s husband is portrayed as impotent and unaware of her past love. His innocence and subsequent death serve as catalysts for Vishnu’s despair and the tragic unfolding of events, symbolizing societal and personal loss.

🤝 Marriage ⚰️ Death 🎭 Tragedy

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

Major Themes – Devaraagam (1996)

Explore the central themes of Devaraagam (1996), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Mortality & Rituals

The film delves into themes of mortality through funeral rites and the symbolism of the cremation ground. It explores how rituals serve as a bridge between life and death, emphasizing societal attitudes towards death and spiritual salvation.

❤️ Love & Sacrifice

Central to the story are themes of love, loyalty, and sacrifice. The characters face difficult choices, illustrating the emotional struggles caused by societal constraints, secret marriages, and personal guilt, ultimately highlighting the depth of human devotion and moral dilemmas.

⚖️ Caste & Society

The narrative is influenced by caste distinctions and societal expectations, impacting characters' decisions and destinies. It examines how societal pressures can lead to tragedy, and the importance of breaking free from prejudiced norms for true happiness.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 04:56

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Explore Movie Threads

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Forbidden love tragedies like Devaraagam

Stories where passionate love is doomed by rigid social and religious barriers.Explore movies like Devaraagam that delve into tragic romances strained by societal pressure, religious duty, and family obligation. If you were moved by the emotional turmoil and bittersweet ending of forbidden love, these films offer similar stories of passion clashing with tradition.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows lovers from different social strata or backgrounds whose union is forbidden. Their secret love flourishes in stolen moments, but is inevitably discovered, leading to immense pressure, blackmail, or forced separation. The journey is one of emotional turmoil, culminating in a resolution that is more about enduring love and sacrifice than a conventional happy ending.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core conflict of love versus society, creating a heavy emotional weight. They are united by a melancholic tone, high romance and sadness scores, and themes of duty, guilt, and the high cost of defiance.

Movies with melancholic flashbacks like Devaraagam

Emotional journeys where a present-day frame reveals a story of love and loss.Discover films similar to Devaraagam that use a framing device and melancholic flashbacks to tell a story of love and regret. If you appreciated the non-linear structure that built towards a bittersweet revelation, these movies offer a comparable narrative experience of uncovering a painful past.

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Narrative Summary

The story unfolds through a non-linear structure. A character in a state of sorrow or isolation in the present reflects on the events that led them there. The core of the film is a flashback to a passionate but doomed relationship or a fateful decision. The tension comes from knowing the tragic endpoint, making the journey one of inevitable heartbreak and reflection.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their distinctive storytelling approach and emotional tone. They share a variable pacing due to the structural shift, a consistently melancholic mood, and a plot device where secrets from the past are slowly revealed to explain the anguish of the present.

Unlock the Full Story of Devaraagam

Don't stop at just watching — explore Devaraagam in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Devaraagam is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Devaraagam Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Devaraagam, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Devaraagam Summary

Devaraagam Timeline

Track the full timeline of Devaraagam with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Devaraagam Timeline

Devaraagam Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of Devaraagam that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

Devaraagam Spoiler-Free Summary

More About Devaraagam

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Devaraagam: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Devaraagam

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