Maru Malarchi

Revival), also spelled as Marumalarchi, is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Bharathi and produced by Henry.

[2] The film was remade in Telugu as Suryudu,[citation needed] in Kannada as Soorappa,[3] and in Hindi as Phool Aur Aag.

At the market, Rasu Padayachi pulls the village belle Jayanthi's (Devayani) hand to save her from an approaching snake.

In the meantime, Rasu Padayachi warns Velu not to talk about the humiliating incident to anyone and pretends the injuries were due to an accident.

Gunavasal's villagers get angry after knowing about the incident, and they all go to Sundarapuram with Aruvals (billhooks) without warning Rasu Padayachi.

The trio of Jayanthi, Manimaran, and Mannaru vow to take revenge on Rasu Padayachi in a similarly cunning fashion.

After the marriage, Jayanthi discovers Rasu Padayachi's true nature: a golden-hearted man and she becomes a good wife.

The producers of the film initially approached Vijayakanth to portray the lead role, but he declined due to scheduling conflicts with Ulavuthurai; Mammootty was later selected.

[5] A village set costing close to ₹25 lakh (equivalent to ₹1.1 crore or US$130,000 in 2023) was built near Tiruvannamalai for the film.

[7][8] The Times of India wrote, "The strength of Marumalarchi lies in its story which improves upon the cliche of the virtuous village patriarch.

Director Bharathi, who has written the story, dialogue and screenplay, has worked up interesting segments to give stature to the hero's role as demanded in the storyline, all with native aroma.

Screen wrote, "Mammootty’s sterling performance as Rasapadiyachi, the zamindar, and his excellent rendering of the native dialect aided by a gripping screenplay, have made the film a superhit with the masses.