Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam (pronounced [ðuːɾatu iɖi muɻakkam] transl.
Distant thunder) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language drama film produced and directed by K. Vijayan and written by T. Somasoodan.
Starring debutante Poornima and Vijayakanth, it has Peeli Sivam, and Suruli Rajan in other prominent roles.
Set in the backdrop of a fishing community, the film tells the story of a woman who is torn between her love and husband.
A group of students visit a fishing village and see the statue of a young lady holding a shell and a lamp in both her hands.
The entire village questions her chastity and punishes her by making her swim across the sea and bring mud to light the lamp.
Despite her reluctance, the marriage proceeds, and while returning home afterwards, she sees a dead body of a child being carried away by the villagers.
Maari moves out of the house and notices a tantric (Pillikoda) who removes buried child in the graveyard and chases him.
Since the baby looks dark and bears a close resemblance to Ponnan, the villagers label the child as an illegitimate one.
Maari accepts the deal and takes the child and the shell and sets out to meet Pillikoda.
Her father erects a statue of her holding the lamp shell on both her hands at the coast.
[4] Doorathu Idi Muzhakkam received positive response from the critics who appreciated the film for its realistic portrayal of a love story set in the backdrop of a fishing community.
[7] Nalini Shastry of Kalki felt what was there in this film to get selected for the Delhi Film Festival but praised the cinematography for capturing seashores beautifully and called the performances of cast as natural, despite feeling that the scenes of Surulirajan in flashback was unnecessary, he was natural and his presence will be missed.