Moodupadam (1963)

Kariat’s film made at the Vijaya-Vauhini Studio dramatises Hindu-Christian and Hindu-Muslim relations: sexual relations between the former seem possible but sadly not between the latter. The four children of two working-class neighbours, one Hindu family and one Muslim family, grow up together. The Hindu boy Appu and the Muslim girl Ameena are in love but social taboos keep them apart. Having enabled his sister to marry a Christian man, Appu goes to Bombay where he becomes a respected playwright. Ameena’s brother Ali is killed by communalist fanatics in Bombay but Appu withholds the news from the Muslim family, sending them money and gifts in Ali’s name. Appu eventually arranges his beloved Ameena’s marriage to a Muslim soldier.