Pulikkuthi Pandi

Last updated

Pulikkuthi Pandi
Pulikkuthi Pandi.jpg
Promotional poster
Written by M. Muthaiah
Directed by M. Muthaiah
Starring
Music by N. R. Raghunanthan
Country of originIndia
Original languageTamil
Production
Producers
Cinematography R. Velraj
EditorVenkat Raajen
Running time145 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Sun TV
Release15 January 2021 (2021-01-15)

Pulikkuthi Pandi is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action drama television film produced, written and directed by M. Muthaiah. The film stars Lakshmi Menon, Vikram Prabhu and Singampuli, with Samuthrakani, R.K. Suresh, Vela Ramamoorthy and Sujatha Sivakumar in supporting roles. The music for the film is composed by N. R. Raghunanthan. It was released as a television premiere directly in Sun TV on 15 January 2021 coinciding with Pongal and Vikram Prabhu's birthday. [1] [2] This film marked Lakshmi Menon's comeback film after 4 years hiatus from acting.

Contents

Plot

Twenty-five years earlier, after a rowdy woman threatened to behead Sannasi Thevar, his son, Saravedi Thevar, told his father he would behead her. Saravedi Thevar goes to the market and beheads her, staining his face in blood.

Pulikuthi Pandi is a rogue with nearly 20 petty cases registered against him at a police station after getting into fights. However, there is a fair reason behind his brawls: the people he beat up did immoral things to people, especially Inspector Karungali, who instructed Pandi to break a journalist's hand who wrote wrong things. Pandi instead breaks the officer's hand. At the court, he comes along with an elder, arrested for stabbing a guy called Sarattai. He meets the man's daughter, Pechi, and falls in love with her. Pechi's father tells Pandi that he has two sons who gamble, drink, and steal Pechi's hard-earned money and eventually sign a loan in a drunken state to Sarattai. Sarattai shames Pechi and his family before prospective families, so Pechi's father stabs him. Pandi bails Pechi's father, and the police officer bails Pandi after Pandi threatens to release a recorded video. When Pechi's father leaves the court, he gets scared that Sarattai will stab him, but Pandi reveals that he stabbed Sarattai in the backside. Pandi also bails out Pechi's brothers. Pandi and his friends visit Pechi's family and ask for Pechi's hand in marriage. Pechi's sisters-in-law reveal he helped them pay a loan even though they did not know each other, so he has a good character, so you should marry him. Pechi's father narrates that he is the reason behind his parents' death.

In a flashback from nearly 20 years ago, Pandi's father, Karumbalai Pandi, is a travelling comrade singer. Pechi's father clicks a photo with his family, Karumbalai Pandi and a young Pulikuthi Pandi. After seeing Pechi's father in a field with a bull and his wife sowing the field, Karumbalai Pandi gives his two cows to sow his field. After an issue arises over Pechi's father's loan, two men accidentally kill each other. Inspector Dhananchezhiyan threatens Pechi's father to confess that Karumbalai murdered the two guys, leading to Karumbalai's wife dying in shock. The judge sentences Pandi's father to hang by capital punishment. Pechi's father tells her to marry him to solve his repentance.

Pechi tells her friends that she will always marry him. One day, she sees Pechi running from goons chasing her. Pandi fights them, and Inspector Karungali tells him he beat up the men of Sannasi Thevar, a dangerous loan shark. He has four sons. Sarattai owed money to Sannasi Thevar, so Sannasi's men took Pechi's father to Sannasi's house to settle Sarattai's loan. After Sannasi Thevar instructs Pechi that she should marry his son, Saravedi, she disagrees. After not paying the money, Sannasi Thevar's goons chase Pechi. To settle the problem, he signs off on one of his family's twin houses.

The new inspector of the village, Inspector Ramanathan, meets with Pulikuthi Pandi and Pechi at the station and forgives him. Saravedi beats up Sarattai after he complains to the police. Saravedi beats up Pandi, and Pandi beats up his men, but he does not beat up Saravedi because of Pechi's words that he should not get into fights. Eventually, Pechi and Pulikuthi Pandi get married. Sannasi Thevar and his family move in next door to Pandi's house. They cause constant problems for Pandi's family. One day, Pandi helps his wife's nephews pay their school fees. After Sannasi Thevar disagrees with leaving his house, they decide to leave for their house. When Sannasi Thevar goes to Pechi's house in a drunk state, Pechi beats him up, and Pandi beats up Sannasi's goons when they attack Pechi and tie up Sannasi. Sannasi gets arrested, and Pandi withdraws the case by mutual agreement. Sannasi asks Pandi to fall at his feet as a sign of forgiveness, but Saravedi beheads him and gets arrested.

Everyone is upset at Pandi's death. Pechi refuses to remove her thali at Pandi's funeral unless Sannasi and his sons die. Firstly, Pechi stabs and kills Sannasi at a temple festival and then eliminates his sons, with Pechi beheading Saravedi brutally.

Cast

Production

The film was announced in September 2020 and the makers began production in the same month amid COVID-19 pandemic. Sun TV Network produced the film with a limited budget. The filmmakers initially titled the film as Pechi and began the principal photography, [3] but was later changed to Pulikkuthi Pandi. [4] The film project marked the second collaboration between Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon after Kumki (2012). [5] It also marked the first film project for Menon in four years after her last film Rekka (2016). Most of the portions of the film were predominantly shot in Madurai and Dindigul. [6]

Filming was completed during November 2020 at a time when Government of Tamil Nadu permitted theatres to open for public for the first time during the pandemic. The first look poster of the film was unveiled on 30 December 2020. [6] [7] [8]

Soundtrack

Pulikkuthi Pandi
Soundtrack album by
N. R. Raghunanthan
Released9 January 2021
Recorded2020
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Length24:15
Language Tamil
Label Sun Entertainment
Divo
Producer N. R. Raghunanthan
N. R. Raghunanthan chronology
Utraan
(2020)		Pulikkuthi Pandi
(2021)		 Nayae Peyae
(2021)

The film's soundtrack and score was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan. The album features six tracks with lyrics written by Mohan Rajan, Mani Amudhavan and Araikudi Bharathi Ganesan. It was released on 9 January 2021, six days before the film's release. [9]

Track list
No.TitleLyricsSinger(s)Length
1."Gothavula"Mohan RajMahalingam02:55
2."Yammadiyamma"Mohan RajJagadeesh Kumar05:07
3."Venaam Madhu Pazhakkam"Araikudi Bharathi GanesanMahalingam03:28
4."Sollamathan"Mohan Raj Srinisha Jayaseelan 04:58
5."Alangalankuruvi"Mani AmudhanVandana Srinivasan, Lijesh Kumar04:33
6."Alam Uzhuthupotten"Araikudi Bharathi GanesanMahalingam03:17
Total length:24:15

Release

The filmmakers initially planned it for Christmas release on 25 December 2020 but was postponed due delays in post-production. The filmmakers again insisted that the film would be released initially in theatres on 1 January 2021 coinciding with the New Year which also taunted to be the first Tamil film release of 2021 but the theatrical release was cancelled in the last minute due to delays in post-production. [10] The film release was later finalised as a direct-to-television premiere via Sun TV on 15 January 2021 as a Pongal release and subsequently the film would be streamed via digital platform Sun NXT. [11] [1] It became the second film to directly premiere via Sun TV after Naanga Romba Busy (2020). [11]

Reception

Critical response

Avinash Ramachandran of Cinema Express rated the film 3 stars out of 5 stars and said, "proverbial climactic twist saves this generic film". [12] Thinkal Menon of The Times of India rated 2.5 out of 5 stars and said, "The action scenes in the latter half (though violent), cinematography and performances lift the film to a good extent till the climax. All the artists pull off their roles with ease – while Lakshmi Menon, Vela Ramamoorthy and RK Suresh stand out." [13] Baradwaj Rangan wrote for Film Companion , "Muthaiah has a good head for plot, but his screenwriting – the way he fleshes out these plot points – is like what you’d find in a TV serial...there’s no flavour in the lines. There’s no life in the performances." [14]

Ratings

The film which had a direct TV premiere on Sun TV garnered a viewership of 13.284 million impressions and a rating of 17.05 TVR becoming the most watched Tamil television program in that week. [15]

Related Research Articles

<i>Bharathi Kannamma</i> 1997 Indian film

Bharathi Kannamma is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Cheran, starring R. Parthiban and Meena. The film marks Cheran's debut as a director and screenwriter. It was released on 15 January 1997 and emerged a success, winning three Filmfare Awards South including Best Film – Tamil. The film was remade in Kannada as Usire (2001).

<i>Ullaasam</i> 1997 Indian film

Ullaasam (transl. Joy) is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language romantic action film directed and co-written by the duo J. D.–Jerry and produced by Amitabh Bachchan. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Vikram and Maheswari with Raghuvaran, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Srividya in other pivotal roles. It was released on 23 May 1997 to mixed reviews.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vikram Prabhu</span> Indian film actor

Vikram Prabhu is an Indian actor working in Tamil language films who made his debut in Prabhu Solomon's Kumki (2012). He also played the protagonist in Ivan Veramathiri (2013) and Vellaikaara Durai (2014). He is the son of actor Prabhu and grandson of the veteran actor Sivaji Ganesan.

<i>Kumki</i> (film) 2012 film by Prabu Solomon

Kumki is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language musical adventure romantic drama film written and directed by Prabhu Solomon. It was presented by N. Lingusamy and produced by N. Subash Chandra Bose, under the banner Thirrupathi Brothers, and distributed by K. E. Gnanavel Raja under the banner Studio Green. It features Vikram Prabhu, making his acting debut, while Lakshmi Menon, Thambi Ramaiah and Ashvin Raja appear in other prominent roles.

Rajamani Velraj, also professionally known as R. Velraj and Velraj, is an Indian cinematographer, director and writer who primarily works in Tamil and Hindi cinema. He is known for his long-standing collaborations with Vetrimaaran and M. Muthaiah.

<i>Rajakumaran</i> (film) 1994 Indian film

Rajakumaran (transl. Prince) is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by R. V. Udayakumar. The film stars Prabhu, Meena and Nadhiya. It was released on 14 January 1994, during Pongal. The film was Prabhu's 100th film and was produced by Sivaji Productions.

<i>Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam</i> 2012 Indian film

Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Rasu Madhuravan. The film stars Shabarish and Sunaina.

<i>Sundarapandian</i> 2012 Tamil comedy drama film

Sundarapandian is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language action comedy drama film directed by debutant S. R. Prabhakaran. Sasikumar played the title character, besides producing the film, while Lakshmi Menon, Vijay Sethupathi, Inigo Prabhakaran, Soori, Appukutty, and Soundararaja appeared in supporting roles. Music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan, while cinematography was handled by Premkumar. The film released on 14 September 2012 to overall positive reviews. Following its commercial success, the film was remade in Kannada as Raja Huli (2013) and in Telugu as Speedunnodu (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lakshmi Menon (actress)</span> Indian actress

Lakshmi Menon is an Indian actress who mainly appears in Tamil films. After making her acting debut in a supporting role in the Malayalam film Raghuvinte Swantham Raziya (2011). She made her first main female lead with her Tamil debut film Sundara Pandian in 2012. She is a recipient of a Filmfare Award South, one Tamil Nadu State Film Award and two SIIMA Awards.

<i>Seevalaperi Pandi</i> 1994 Indian film

Seevalaperi Pandi is a 1994 Indian Tamil-language biographical crime action film directed by Pratap Pothen and written by K. Rajeshwar. It is based on the life of the Indian criminal of the same name. The film was released on 24 June 1994, and its success was a turning point in the lead actor Napoleon's career.

<i>Kana Kaanum Kaalangal</i> (2006 TV series) 2006 Indian TV series or programme

Kana Kaanum Kaalangal is a Tamil drama soap opera that aired in Star Vijay, Monday to Thursday, from 30 October 2006 to 28 April 2009. It was the first soap in Tamil television that focused on school life. Due to the success of the show, a sequel called Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Kallooriyin Kadhai was made. Later another sequel to the serial called Kana Kaanum Kalangal Kalloori Saalai was also made. Both the sequels focused on college life. It was re-aired on Star Vijay Super from 16 January 2017, Monday through Friday at 8:00PM.

<i>Marudhu</i> 2016 Indian film

Marudhu is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by M. Muthaiah. It features Vishal in the lead role. Production began in November 2015. It was released worldwide on 20 May 2016 with mixed reviews but ended up as a profitable venture at the box office.

<i>Maruthu Pandi</i> 1990 Indian film

Maruthu Pandi is a 1990 Indian Tamil language action drama film directed by Manoj Kumar. The film stars Ramki, Seetha and Nirosha, with Nassar, S. S. Chandran, Senthil, Kovai Sarala, Raghavi and Pradeep Shakthi playing supporting roles. It was released on 27 April 1990 and became a major box office success. The film was remade in Kannada as Kollur Kala (1991) and in Hindi as Aag (1994).

<i>Kodiveeran</i> 2017 Indian film

Kodiveeran is a 2017 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by M. Muthaiah. Sasikumar and Mahima Nambiar play the lead pair in the movie alongside Vidharth, Pasupathy, Shamna Kasim, Sanusha, and Bala Saravanan in supporting roles. This is Sasikumar and Muthaiah's second collaboration after Kutti Puli. Kodiveeran is produced by Sasikumar's Company Productions. The music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan, cinematography by S. R. Kathir, and editing by Venkat Raajen. The film released on 7 December 2017.

M. Muthaiyan is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Tamil cinema. He is known for directing Village based action films.

<i>Devarattam</i> 2019 Indian action drama film

Devarattam is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by M. Muthaiah and produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja. The film stars Gautham Karthik and Manjima Mohan in the lead roles, while Vinodhini Vaidyanathan, Soori and FEFSI Vijayan play supporting roles. The soundtrack was composed by Nivas K. Prasanna, while the cinematography and editing were done by Sakthi Saravanan and Praveen K. L.

<i>Thuppakki Munai</i> Indian film

Thuppakki Munai is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Dinesh Selvaraj and produced by S. Thanu under his production banner V. Creations. The film stars Vikram Prabhu and Hansika Motwani. Music is composed by L. V. Muthu Ganesh and film edited by Bhuvan Srinivasan. The film released on 14 December 2018.

<i>Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku</i> 2023 film

Paayum Oli Nee Yenakku is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written, produced, and directed by Karthik Adwait. The film stars Vikram Prabhu and Vani Bhojan. It was released on 23 June 2023, to mixed reviews from critics.

<i>Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam</i> 2023 film directed by M. Muthaiya

Kathar Basha Endra Muthuramalingam is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language action drama film written and directed by M. Muthaiah, and produced by Zee Studios and Vedikkaranapatti. S. Sakthivel under Drumsticks Productions. The film stars Arya, Siddhi Idnani, Prabhu, and K. Bhagyaraj, while B. S. Avinash, Aadukalam Naren, Madhusudhan Rao, and Singampuli play supporting roles. The soundtrack and score for the film are composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar, while the cinematography and editing are handled by R. Velraj and Venkat Raajen.

<i>Raid</i> (2023 film) 2023 Indian film

Raid is a 2023 Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Karthi in his directorial debut. It is a remake of the 2018 Kannada film Tagaru starring Shiva Rajkumar. The film stars Vikram Prabhu, Sri Divya, Ananthika Sanilkumar and Rishi Rithvik. Sam C. S. composed the music, while the cinematography and editing were handled by Kathiravan and Manimaran.

References

  1. 1 2 "பொங்கலன்று வெளியாகும் தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள்!". Dinamani (in Tamil). 7 January 2021. Archived from the original on 9 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  2. ↑ "தியேட்டருக்கு பதில் டி.வி.யில் வெளியாகும் விக்ரம் பிரபு படம்" [Vikram Prabhu's film will release on TV instead of theatres]. Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 1 January 2021. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  3. ↑ "Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon's film titled Pechi". The Times of India . 4 November 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  4. ↑ "விக்ரம் பிரபு படத்தில் திடீர் மாற்றம்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  5. ↑ "Vikram Prabhu and Lakshmi Menon to star in Muthaiah's 'Pechi'". The News Minute . 26 September 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  6. 1 2 "மாஸ் லுக்கில் விக்ரம் பிரபு.... வைரலாகும் 'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி' பர்ஸ்ட் லுக்". Maalai Malar (in Tamil). 31 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  7. ↑ "'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி' ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் வெளியீடு". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 30 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  8. ↑ "விக்ரம் பிரபு - லட்சுமி மேனனின் 'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி' ஃபர்ஸ்ட் லுக் ரிலீஸ்". News18 (in Tamil). 31 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  9. ↑ Pulikkuthi Pandi - Official Audio Jukebox | Vikram Prabhu | N.R.Raghunanthan. Sun TV. 9 January 2021. Archived from the original on 24 January 2021. Retrieved 16 January 2021– via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "Vikram Prabhu's 'Puli Kutty Pandi' to be the first release of 2021". The Times of India . 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  11. 1 2 "Vikram Prabhu-Muthaiah film premiere on Sun NXT and Sun TV for Pongal!". Sify . 25 December 2020. Archived from the original on 12 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
  12. ↑ Ramachandran, Avinash (17 January 2021). "Pulikuthi Pandi Movie Review: Proverbial climactic twist saves this generic film". Cinema Express . Archived from the original on 21 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
  13. ↑ Menon, Thinkal (20 January 2021). "PULIKKUTHI PANDI REVIEW : PULIKKUTHI PANDI". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  14. ↑ Rangan, Baradwaj (19 January 2021). "Pulikkuthi Pandi On SunNXT, With Vikram Prabhu, Lakshmi Menon: A Generic Rural Drama With A Solid Surprise". Film Companion . Archived from the original on 5 September 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
  15. ↑ "டி.ஆர்.பி-யில் தெறிக்க விட்ட 'புலிக்குத்தி பாண்டி'!". News18 (in Tamil). 22 January 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.