Kalam Vellum () is a 1970 Indian Tamil-language Western film produced, filmed and directed by M. Karnan. The film stars Jaishankar, Vijayakumari and Vijaya Lalitha. It revolves around a farmer who, in his quest to avenge his sister's death, becomes a dacoit bent on revenge. The film was released on 11 September 1970. Plot Velu, a poor farmer, loses his sister Dhanam due to the atrocities and exploitation of landlord Periyaraja. To avenge his sister's death, Velu kills Periyaraja's brother Chinnaraja. He then escapes from there. He joins a gang of dacoits, headed by Narasingam. The gang is initially perturbed by Velu's presence, but his courage and good nature wins him their love and respect. Velu succeeds Narasingam as the gang leader. His aim is to rob the rich and save the poor. He is constantly looking for an opportunity to take revenge against Periyasamy. Velu forgets that his wife is waiting for his return to his village. Finally, Velu takes revenge on Periyaraja and surrenders to the police. Cast Jaishankar as Velu Vijayakumari as Kannamma Nagesh as Paavadai O. A. K. Thevar as Periyaraja M. R. R. Vasu as Chinnaraja Vijaya Lalitha as Rani Ganthimathi as Velu's mother Usha as Dhanam Shanmugasundaram as Narasingam V. Nagayya as a police officer Production In January 1970, several months after the release of his first film as a producer (Pennai Vazha Vidungal, August 1969), M. Karnan began pre-production on his directorial debut, Kalam Vellum. Soundtrack The soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ganesh, with lyrics by Kannadasan. Release and reception Kalam Vellum was released on 11 September 1970. The Indian Express called it a "hotchpotch of all the adventure films that have come in Tamil and English movies that have been imported". References Bibliography External links 1970 directorial debut films 1970 films 1970s Tamil-language films 1970 Western (genre) films Films directed by M. Karnan Films scored by Shankar–Ganesh Indian films about revenge Indian Western (genre) films