Idhu Namma Aalu

Idhu Namma Aalu

Year: 1988

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Balakumaran

Comedy

Gopalsamy, a poor graduate, travels to Madras to raise money for his mother's eye surgery. Struggling to earn a living, he encounters a Brahmin priest who persuades him to pose as a Brahmin and sell food in a nearby agraharam. Though a non‑Brahmin from a backward caste and uneasy about wearing the sacred thread, he reluctantly agrees and joins three other priests to perform a Ganapati homam, hoping the work will provide the funds he desperately needs.

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Timeline & Setting – Idhu Namma Aalu (1988)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Idhu Namma Aalu (1988). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Madras (Chennai), Mylapore Agraharam

The story unfolds in Madras (now Chennai), with key action centered around the Brahmin enclave of Mylapore. Gopal travels to the city to support his mother, entering a world of temple ceremonies, scripts, and social expectations. The agraharam’s narrow lanes and traditional rituals shape the conflict between old norms and new aspirations.

🏙️ Urban city ⛪ Temple culture 🧭 Brahmin community

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Main Characters – Idhu Namma Aalu (1988)

Meet the key characters of Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Gopal (K. Bhagyaraj)

A poor Bachelor of Arts graduate who travels to Madras to fund his mother's eye surgery. He is forced to impersonate a Brahmin by a priest, which triggers a moral conflict about caste and identity. Despite the deception, he remains loyal to Srinivasa Sastri, pursues a relationship with Banu, and ultimately chooses his own conscience over strict tradition.

🎓 Education 🧭 Identity 🤝 Loyalty

Banu (Shobana)

Daughter of the orthodox Brahmin Srinivasa Sastri, she falls in love with Gopal and challenges her father’s rigid rules. She navigates family expectations with determination and supports their relationship. Her insistence on choosing love over tradition drives much of the film’s emotional arc.

💞 Love 👪 Family 🧭 Independence

Mylapore Srinivasa Sastri

An orthodox Brahmin priest who staunchly upholds Vedic regulations while also helping the needy. He cannot tolerate non-Brahmins touching his clothes, which creates a tension between compassion and ritual purity. He faces a moral dilemma when his daughter’s happiness collides with tradition, ultimately recognizing his mistake.

⚖️ Tradition 🕊️ Compassion 🛡️ Authority

Gopal's mother (Manorama)

A devoted mother whose eye surgery hinges on financial support from her son. She demonstrates unwavering sacrifice and faith in her family, but she must come to terms with the consequences of her son's choices. Her support remains a constant across the shifting dynamics of the family.

❤️ Motherly love 🏥 Health 💰 Sacrifice

Gopal's father

A traditional patriarch pushing for grandchildren and social legitimacy. He pressures Gopal to marry again to fulfill his expectations and preserve the family line. He eventually confronts the consequences of clinging to convention and seeks resolution for his son’s future.

👨‍👦 Family 🎯 Duty 🧭 Tradition

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

Major Themes – Idhu Namma Aalu (1988)

Explore the central themes of Idhu Namma Aalu (1988), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Identity

Gopal is forced to impersonate a Brahmin, triggering a deep exploration of what defines a person: birth, name, or inner character. The narrative questions whether caste signifiers determine worth or if education, integrity, and loyalty matter more. The tension between surface identity and authentic self drives the moral center of the story.

💞 Love Across Caste

The romance between a non-Brahmin man and a Brahmin woman challenges rigid social boundaries. Banu's feelings for Gopal test her father's orthodox rules and family duties. The couple's pursuit of happiness highlights love as a potential catalyst for questioning tradition.

⚖️ Tradition vs Reform

Srinivasa Sastri embodies orthodox authority while also showing compassion for the needy. He must choose between ritual fidelity and his daughter's future happiness, exposing the flaws in inflexible ritualism. The ending offers a critique of rigid orthodoxy in favor of a more inclusive social approach.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:31

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Idhu Namma Aalu Summary

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Idhu Namma Aalu Timeline

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Idhu Namma Aalu Timeline

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