Tamil Cinema: The Cultural Politics of India's Other Film Industry edited Selvaraj Velayutham, Sathiavathi Chinniah writes that films portraying adulterous heroines basically attempt to explore the complexities of womanhood and sexuality, citing Rosappu Ravikkaikari as an example. Soundtrack The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, while the lyrics were written by Pulamaipithan and Gangai Amaran. The song "Maaman Oru Naal" is set in the Carnatic raga known as Harikambhoji (also known as Hari Kambhodhi), while "Yennullil Yengo" is set in the Madhuvanti raga. "Uchi Vaguntheduthu", according to Ilangovan Rajasekaran of Frontline, "brought out the emotions of a man anguished by his wife's infidelity". Release and reception Rosappu Ravikkaikari was released on 18 May 1979. The film received an "A" (adults only) certificate after three cuts. It received critical acclaim, and became a commercial success, running for over 100 days in theatres. The Tamil magazine Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 27 May 1979, rated the film 50 out of 100, praising Sivakumar's performance and the background score by Ilaiyaraaja. P. S. M. of Kalki lauded Sivakumar's performance, saying he had scored a century with his 100th film. Sivakumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil. Legacy According to film historian G. Dhananjayan, Rosappu Ravikkaikari became a milestone for "daringly show[ing] infidelity and its consequences on screen for the first time" in Tamil cinema. References Bibliography External links 1970s historical romance films 1970s Tamil-language films 1979 films Films about adultery in India Films about infidelity Films based on adaptations Films based on Indian novels Films directed by Devaraj–Mohan Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja Films set in the British Raj Indian historical romance films Tamil remakes of Kannada films