Sirai

Sirai
DVD cover
Directed by	R. C. Sakthi
Screenplay by	R. C. Sakthi
Based on	Sirai by Anuradha Ramanan
Produced by	Mohan
Starring	Lakshmi Rajesh
Cinematography	Vishwam–Nataraj
Edited by	G. Radhakrishnan
Music by	M. S. Viswanathan
Production company	Anandhi Films
Distributed by	Anandhi Films
Release date	22 November 1984 (1984-11-22)
Running time	143 minutes[1]
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Sirai (transl. Prison; also spelt Chirai) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by R. C. Sakthi. The film stars Lakshmi and Rajesh, with Pandiyan, Ilavarasi, Prasanna, S. S. Chandran, V. Gopalakrishnan and Isari Velan in supporting roles. It follows a Brahmin woman who, after being raped by an alcoholic man, is disowned by her husband. After being encouraged by a police constable, she moves in with the rapist and develops an attachment for him.

Sirai is based on Anuradha Ramanan's 1980 short story of the same name. The film was produced by Mohan of Anandhi Films, photographed by the duo Vishwam–Nataraj, and edited by G. Radhakrishnan. It shot on actual locales, with minimal use of sets, although shooting also took place at Vauhini Studios.

Sirai was released on 22 November 1984. Despite receiving criticism from Brahmin organisations who demanded it be banned, the film received critical acclaim, particularly for Lakshmi's performance, and became a commercial success, with a theatrical run of over 100 days.