# Swargam Narakam (சொர்க்கம் நரகம்)
**Swargam Narakam** (சொர்க்கம் நரகம்) is a 1977 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. Thyagaraajan, starring [Sivakumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/sivakumar) and Phataphat Jayalaxmi in the lead roles[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil). It is a remake of the 1975 Telugu film of the same name written and directed by [Dasari Narayana Rao](https://www.edgepedia.org/dasari-narayana-rao)[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam). Some catalogs list the Tamil version under the transliteration *Sorgam Naragam*[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Release | 1 January 1977, wide theatrical release in India[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil) |
| Format | Tamil-language feature, black and white, 24 fps, 2.35:1 aspect ratio, 2 hrs 20 mins[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil) |
| Lead cast | Sivakumar, Phataphat Jayalaxmi, with Padma Priya and Panchaksharam Vijayakumar[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil) |
| Crew | R. Thyagaraajan (director), Malliyam Rajagopal (dialogue), Shankar Ganesh (music), Kannadasan (lyrics)[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil) |
| Production | Dhandayuthapani Films[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil) |
| Source film | Remake of *Swargam Narakam* (Dasari Narayana Rao, Telugu, 1975)[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam) |
## Spoilers
### Story and source film
The Tamil film adapts the story of the Telugu original *Swargam Narakam* (స్వర్గం నరకం), released on 22 November 1975[3](https://moviebuff.herokuapp.com/swargam-narakam). The Telugu film is a relationship drama revolving around three married couples: one couple lives in harmony, while the other two struggle with complications and conflict, and the story explores communication, understanding, and fidelity within marriage[3](https://moviebuff.herokuapp.com/swargam-narakam). In the Telugu version, the first couple is Acharya (Dasari Narayana Rao), who takes advantage of others' mistakes and position to earn money, and his wife Mary; the second is [Annapurna](https://www.edgepedia.org/annapurna) (Annapoorna) and the playboy Mohan ([Mohan Babu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mohan-babu)); the third is the jealous, possessive Jaya (Jayalakshmi) and Vikram (Eswara Rao)[4](https://letterboxd.com/film/swargam-narakam/).
The Telugu original marked the screen debut of Mohan Babu and Annapoorna[5](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/swargam-narakam.html). Dasari Narayana Rao selected the then assistant director Bhaktavatsalam Naidu for the lead after about fifteen people were auditioned, and rechristened him Mohan Babu, the name he has used since[6](https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/chitchat-mohanbabu1.html). Jayalakshmi's role in the Telugu film became popular enough that she became known as "Phataphat" Jayalakshmi, and she was retained for the Tamil version[7](https://telugucinema.com/nostalgia/anthuleni-katha-1976-retrospecitve).
## Production and music
The Tamil version was produced under the Dhandayuthapani Films banner[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam). Malliyam Rajagopal wrote the dialogue, and Shankar Ganesh composed the music with lyrics by [Kannadasan](https://www.edgepedia.org/kannadasan)[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil). The soundtrack includes four songs: "Irandu Kiligal", "Malluvetti Madichhi Kattum", "Poovum Pottum Inge", and "Santhega Kodu", sung by [P. Susheela](https://www.edgepedia.org/p-susheela) and [T. M. Soundararajan](https://www.edgepedia.org/t-m-soundararajan)[1](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil).
## Remake chain
*Swargam Narakam* sits in a chain of cross-language remakes common in 1970s Indian cinema. The Telugu original was itself remade in Hindi as *Swarg Narak* (1978)[3](https://moviebuff.herokuapp.com/swargam-narakam), in which [Sanjeev Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/sanjeev-kumar) acted[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam). The Telugu film was recognized at the [Nandi Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/nandi-awards) of 1975, the state awards of [Andhra Pradesh](https://www.edgepedia.org/andhra-pradesh); one listing of the awards places it as Third Best Feature Film, while another list of the Nandi Award for Best Feature Film includes it for 1975[2](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam).
## References
1. [Swargam Narakam (1977), Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/swargam-narakam-1977-tamil)
2. [Reference for SWARGAM NARAKAM, The Names Dictionary](https://www.thenamesdictionary.com/references-for/swargam-narakam)
3. [Swargam Narakam (1975), Moviebuff](https://moviebuff.herokuapp.com/swargam-narakam)
4. [Swargam Narakam (1975), Letterboxd](https://letterboxd.com/film/swargam-narakam/)
5. [Swargam Narakam (1975), FilmiBeat](https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/swargam-narakam.html)
6. [Chitchat with Mohan Babu, Idlebrain](https://idlebrain.com/news/2000march20/chitchat-mohanbabu1.html)
7. [Anthuleni Katha (1976) retrospective, Telugu Cinema](https://telugucinema.com/nostalgia/anthuleni-katha-1976-retrospecitve)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Telugu films before 2000*
*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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