Film: Padai Thalavan
Cast: Shanmuga Pandian Vijayakanth, Kasthuri Raja, Yamini Shandar, Munish Kanth, Karudan Ram, Rishi, A. Venkatasan, Yogi Sethu, Sreejith Ravi, Aruldas, Logu N.P.K.S.
Production: Jaganathan, Paramasivam
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography: S.R. Sathishkumar
Direction: U. Anbu
PRO: Sathish (AIM) Siva
Shanmuga Pandian lives with his father Kasthuri Raja in the village area of Sethhumadai in Pollachi. They also raise an elephant. To alleviate the suffering of debt-ridden Kasthuri Raja, Shanmuga Pandian takes the elephant to festivals. There, some people conspire and make the elephant go into musth. Following this, forest officials confiscate the elephant. To rescue the elephant, father and son climb the court steps. Suddenly, the forest official claims that the elephant has gone missing. Refusing to accept this, Shanmuga Pandian sets out to search for and bring back the elephant. Meanwhile, a group is roaming around to kill Shanmuga Pandian. What is the reason for this? Whether Shanmuga Pandian was able to find the elephant is answered in the climax.
Revolutionary artist Vijayakanth's son Shanmuga Pandian has proved in this film that "a tiger's cub cannot become a cat" - demonstrating through action sequences that he is indeed Vijayakanth's son. He has established himself in a way that fans call him the "Young Revolutionary Artist."
Until the first half of the film, Shanmuga Pandian acts with an innocent face as if he doesn't know how to fight at all. But the moment there's danger to his elephant, he rises up and strikes enemies with unexpected action sequences, attacking and throwing them around dramatically. Like his father Vijayakanth, his jumping, flying, and single-leg striking moves receive applause in the theater.
When Shanmuga Pandian learns that his elephant has been taken to the forest areas of Odisha and sets out with friends, though one can guess he's going to take on an action avatar there, it was impossible to imagine what kind of action sequence it would be. Beyond imagination, he has raised dust in fight scenes and given tough competition to action heroes.
The fact that Vijayakanth's son Shanmuga Pandian has acted is one plus point of the film. Additionally, as an extra plus, showing Captain Vijayakanth in the character of a professor through AI graphics in one scene, making him appear to speak dialogues and walk, creates a pleasant shock throughout the theater as if seeing the real Captain in person.
Shanmuga Pandian has no romantic pair in the film. His only companion is the elephant. Even though he's a young hero, his agreement to act without a romantic pair shows how much importance Shanmuga Pandian gives to story selection.
Kasthuri Raja, as Shanmuga Pandian's father, has displayed natural acting, portraying a person who, though poor, never compromises on honor.
Karuda Ram's performance as the villain has strengthened that character. He has poured out wild acting as a cruel priest involved in cattle sacrifice and elephant sacrifice. Along with them, Yamini Shandar, Munish Kanth, Rishi, A. Venkatasan, Yogi Sethu, Sreejith Ravi, Aruldas, and Logu N.P.K.S. have acted.
The songs in music maestro Ilaiyaraaja's composition flow like a gentle breeze, lulling the audience.Cinematographer S.R. Sathishkumar's camera work takes the audience on a journey into the forest areas along with the visuals.Director U. Anbu deserves praise for not stuffing unnecessary scenes just because he got Vijayakanth's son, but instead taking only what was needed for the story in a precise manner. That's why this film has got everyone talking.
