'' Agraharathil Kazhutai '' received international acclaim . In 1978 , '' Agraharathil Kazhutai '' won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil at the 25th National Film Awards . The jury noted John 's usage of the verses of Tamil poet Subramania Bharati " for creating a parable set against the orthodoxies and superstitions of a Brahmin village community " . It was screened under the Indian panorama of the International Film Festival of India in 1978 . Along with a few other films , it pioneered the " new wave " movement in South Indian cinema . The film was banned in Tamil Nadu as it was seen as Brahmanical bigotry which might hurt the sentiments of Brahmins . Doordarshan was forced to cancel a scheduled telecast of the film . The film was seen as an ' under-appreciated ' work but is regarded as a classic now . The film gave a much needed breakthrough for John Abraham . In 2013 , IBN Live included it among the 100 greatest films of all-time in Indian cinema
25th National Film Awards
25th National Film Awards
Agraharathil Kazhutai