Actresses who played blind characters on screen in Kollywood

Tamil movies, sometimes, have scripts that require the actors/actresses to play the role of a person with disabilities like blindness, speech impairment, learning disability, and mental illness, among others. Though essaying such roles is not easy, many of our actresses have accepted such roles as a challenge, coming out with convincing performances. We take a look at the actresses who played visually challenged characters on screen in Tamil cinema to perfection.

Nayanthara is someone who can ace roles ranging from the glam diva to hearing-impaired Kadhambari in Naanum Rowdy Dhaan. In her upcoming movie, Netrikann, her character is said to be a visually-challenged woman. In the first look of the film, the title too is written in Braille. Netrikann is directed by Milind Rau of Aval fame, and interestingly Vignesh Shivan who directed Naanum Rowdy Dhaan is producing this movie.

Malavika Nair- Cuckoo (2014)

Written and directed by journalist-turned-writer, Raju Murugan, Cuckoo, the romantic drama, stood out for the way the lead characters were presented. Though the lead characters were shown as visually impaired, it didn’t portray them in the stereotypical way, instead the director used a naturalistic approach to storytelling. A stunning performance by Attakathi Dinesh and Malavika Nair as visually impaired couple was the highlight of the movie. The lead pair, who fell in love, goes through several issues before they unite in the end. While Dinesh portrayed Tamizh, a visually-impaired young man who works as a singer for an entertainment troupe, Malavika Nair essayed the role of Sudhanthirakodi, a visually-impaired young woman studying to become a teacher.

Pooja Umashankar- Naan Kadavul (2009)

This art film by Bala went on to win several awards and the stellar acting by Pooja as a visually impaired girl was critically appreciated. She played Hamsavalli, a blind girl who was with a group of street actors. But, one day she was forcefully separated from the troupe by a goon, Thandavan, who controls the beggars and became a victim of his cruelty. Finally, unable to withstand the sufferings she went to Rudran, played by Arya, asking him to give her moksha so that she would never be born again. Pooja showcased a heart-wrenching performance as a blind girl, and she received Tamil Nadu government’s best character actress award for the same.

Simran-Thullaadha Manamum Thullum (1999)

One of the evergreen feel-good love stories in Kollywood, the movie directed by debutant Ezhil featured Vijay and Simran in the lead roles. The well-made emotional drama had love, friendship, sentiments, and enough heart-melting moments. The film narrated the story of a man returning from the prison to meet his people and his ladylove, who had lost her eye sight in an accident. Simran played a visually challenged girl, quite convincingly. In the story she mistakenly blamed Vijay, who was innocent and did everything possible to give her vision. The music score by SA Rajkumar was one of the highlights of the film and the song, Innisai Paadi varum...was an instant hit. The film fetched Simran the best actress award by Tamil Nadu government.

Revathi-Avatharam (1995)

Actor Nassar debuted as director with this musical film, which had music score by Illayaraja. While Nassar played the lead role, Kuppusamy, Revathi played Ponnamma, a visually-challenged girl, who falls in love with the hero. After some unexpected events; the couple reached Chennai looking for chance in films. But Ponnamma was raped by Bala (played by late Bala Singh) killing her. Though the film received critical appreciation the movie was a box office failure. However, Nassar and Revathi’s performances stood out. Revathi, one of the top actresses in south India is known for her powerhouse performances and she didn’t disappoint her fans in her role as a blind girl, in Avatharam.