"Moondram Pirai" was the original Tamil film that because of its success was dubbed in Hindi as "Sadma" [1983]. The films marked Sridevi's first serious adult role and she states that of all her films (she has made over 270) "Moondram Pirai" is the one she is most proud of. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress for "Moondram Pirai" and was nominated for Filmfare Best Actress Award for "Sadma".

The film truly has an unusual plot. Sridevi plays a girl who because of an accident loses her memory and has the mind of a ten year old child. Through devious circumstances she is sold into prostitution but is saved by a kind hearted teacher (played by Kamal Hasan) who takes her to the country in order to protect her. Eventually the teacher falls in love with Sridevi, she regains her memory up until the time of her accident and has no recollection of the teacher or his kindness...

The film itself is uneven and was made on what looks like a very low budget, however the acting by the lead actors raises the movie to near classic status. To witness Sridevi, the squeaky voiced 'sex-bomb' of countless masala films play the role of a person with the mind of a 10 year old is one of the incredible performances of Indian cinema and Kamal Hasan by the end of the film acts out one of the most gut wrenchingly sad scenes ever put on celluloid. This movie is an absolute must see for any fan of Sridevi.