Another critical milestone was Sila Nerangalil Sila Manithargal (1977), based on Jayakanthan’s novel. Her portrayal of a rape survivor was groundbreaking for its time—unflinching, dignified, and devoid of melodrama. Simultaneously, she proved her commercial viability in action-dramas like Sigappu Rojakkal (1978) opposite Kamal Haasan, where she played a psychologically tormented lover. This duality—moving seamlessly between art-house realism and mainstream entertainment—is the hallmark of her filmography.