Vazhkai (Tamil: வாழ்கை; English: Life) is a 1949 Indian Tamil social guidance film produced and directed by A.V. Meiyappan with his company AVM Productions. The film starred Vyjayanthimala in her screen debut with M. S. Draupadi, T. R. Ramachandran and S. V. Sahasranamam forms an ensemble cast along with many actors appearing in other significant role.
Upon release the film was well received where it won the Best Tamil Film Award at the 1st Film Fans' Association Awards with Vyjayanthimala and M. S. Draupadi received the Second Best Tamil Actress and Third Best Tamil Actress Awards respectively. It also broke some box office record in South India.
The film was simultaneously released in Telugu as Jeevitham. Following that the film was later remade in Hindi as Bahar (1951) directed by M. V. Raman. Vyjayanthimala played the lead role in all the films along with A.V. Meiyappan as the producer.
Murthi (S. V. Sahasranamam) comes to a village. He deceives Meenakshi (M. S. Draupadi) and has sex with her. After going back to his home town he tries to marry Mohana (Vyjayanthimala), who loves Nathan (T. R, Ramachandran). Lakshmi discovers she is pregnant and goes to meet Murthi, who pretends ignorance. She jumps into the sea in a suicide attempt. A passerby saves her and she delivers the baby. She leaves the baby with Nathan. He takes care of the baby and faces a lot of problems. Learning about the baby, Mohana gets suspicious. Finally the actions of Murthi are exposed and he accepts Meenakshi as his wife.