Pavithra is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language drama film written, produced and directed by K. Subash under his home banner, Dhanooja Films. The film stars Radhika, Nassar, Ajith Kumar and Keerthana. It was released on 2 November 1994, Diwali day, and won two National Film Awards: Best Male Playback Singer (P. Unnikrishnan) and Best Lyrics (Vairamuthu).

Plot

Ashok R. is an 18 year-old cancer patient, and Pavithra is a nurse in the hospital where he is being treated. Ashok and 18 year-old Chitra have been in love, which started a few months before his diagnosis. Ashok believes himself to be an orphan. On reading Ashok's medical records Pavithra sees that Ashok's initial is R, which means (in Tamil Nadu) that his father's name starts with the same letter. Raghunathan "Raghu" is Pavithra's husband. Since Ashok's age and date of birth are the same as her child (which was seemingly stillborn, and she is childless), Pavithra showers maternal affection on him. Raghu mistakes this maternal affection as something else because of a rogue doctor. This doctor unsuccessfully lusts for Pavithra and is hated by her. Confusion ensues, and Pavithra misunderstands Ashok. In the end, Ashok dies without the film revealing whether he was actually Pavithra and Raghu's biological son (initially thought to be stillborn) or not. Pavithra adopts a baby boy as her own child.