Latest news with #PadaiThalaivan


New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
KombuSeevi wraps production, Shanmuga Pandian fetes crew
Just a day after the theatrical release of his film Padai Thalaivan, production on the Shanmuga Pandian-starrer KombuSeevi has successfully concluded. To mark the occasion, the film's lead actor Shanmuga Pandian personally felicitated the entire crew, presenting them with new clothes and a biriyani feast. Ponram, acclaimed for his work on Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam, wrote and directed KombuSeevi. The cast also features R Sarathkumar in a pivotal role, alongside actors such as Kaali Venkat, Kalki Raja, and Tharnika. KombuSeevi aims to transport audiences to "an era of grit, glory, and ultimate alaparai," capturing the "wild west vibes of Usilampatti." The film draws inspiration from real events that transpired around 1996 in the Usilampatti and Andipatti regions, promising a raw and authentic narrative rooted in history.


New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Padai Thalaivan Movie Review: Shanmugapandian shines in this film that thrives and trudges in tropes
Padai Thalaivan is actor Shanmugapandian's first after the demise of his superstar father, actor-politician Vijayakant. It could have taken the easy route of milking nostalgia, and even gone his father's way of featuring in a film where the protagonist saves the nation. Padai Thalaivan, thankfully, knows its strengths and tells a small story of a simple villager who loves his elephant. But this feeling didn't last long as the narration becomes haphazard in the second half. It would have been better if the nation-saving trope had indeed been explored rather than whatever unfolded in Padai Thalaivan. The film, directed by U Anbu, begins in a remote forest village in Odisha, where a number of Tamil-speaking families suffer under a tyrant-thug-priest Thilagan (Garudan Ram), who snatches away cattle from the villagers for an undisclosed reason. The scene then shifts to Pollachi's Sethumadai, where we are introduced to Velu (Shanmugapandian), a mahout and a potter, his father (Kasturiraja), his sister, and his elephant Manian. Velu's personal debt problems force him to rent his elephant for weddings and temple festivals. Velu's burdens pile up, and in a turn of events, his elephant is snatched away by the forest officials. However, Manian goes missing soon after. What happened to him and his equation with Velu is what Padai Thalaivan is all about. Incidentally, the film doesn't really aim big, and is content with efficiently depicting the fun and bonding between Velu and Manian, instead of giving a saviour build-up to the hero, especially since the film begins with the depiction of tyranny. We are given glances into Velu's life in a grounded manner. There is absolutely no rush in getting to the plot point, and it is a good thing, since there is a nice organic way of one scene leading to another. Velu's character design shines brightly too, and even when there are opportunities ripe for multiple displays of fury and thereby action sequences, the film pulls back its punches. It also prepares us for the first explosion, and it happens in the interval block when elephants are treated horrendously by the District Forest Officer (DFO). Such strong writing is a shining example of underlining a film's theme and characterisation without being desperate, obvious, and shabby.


Pink Villa
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
New South movies releasing in theaters this week (June 9-15): Padai Thalaivan and Vysanasametham Bandhumithradhikal
South cinema this week will see slightly lesser movies making their way for theatrical release. However, both of them are sure to give each other a tough fight and make their way successfully to the box office. So without any further ado, here are the 2 South movies which are releasing in theaters this week. Padai Thalaivan Upcoming Tamil action film Padai Thalaivan has been especially grabbing attention lately since Ilaaiyaraaja would be composing the musical score of the film. The theme of the film is against the background of wild elephants and dangerous forest regions and makes an interesting narrative use of it. A gripping drama, audiences would be in for a treat given how the film deals with gripping realities of life without any sugar coating. Raw emotion and realism are touted to be the key takeaway of the film. The plot is said to be heavily based on a real life incident, garnering all the more hype from fans and audiences even before theatrical release. Vysanasametham Bandhumithradhikal Cast: Anaswara Rajan, Siju Sunny, Joemon Jyothir, Baiju Santhosh, Noby Marcose Director: S Vipin Language: Malayalam Release date: June 13, 2025 Vysanasametham Bandhumithradhikal is an upcoming Malayalam language comedy drama which will be released this month. It is deemed to be a modern and endearing story encapsulated within a family drama. Pictured in the backdrop of a rural village, the film revolves around a small-town shopkeeper and his daughter who are dealing with a series of unfortunate events at their house. A sudden death adds to the complexity of the situation. The daughter's awakening to calm the chaos and offer resolution to the pressing issues forms the crux of the story.


Time of India
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Vijayakanth's son Shanmuga Pandian's 'Padai Thalaivan' to release on THIS date
Actor Shanmuga Pandian , son of the late Captain Vijayakanth , takes on a refreshing and intense role in the upcoming film 'Padai Thalaivan,' directed by U. Anbu . The film is set against the backdrop of wild elephants and the communities living in deep forest regions. It offers a compelling look into their lives, challenges, and relationship with nature. The film has been constructed as a gripping drama rooted in realism and raw emotion. The makers have now announced the film's release date, and the film is scheduled to release on June 13. "A worldwide visual treat arriving on 13th June...!", captioned the makers by sharing a new poster of 'Padai Thalaivan' featuring Shanmuga Pandian. — lksudhish (@lksudhish) Gripping screenplay unfolds entirely within the forest. The screenplay of 'Padai Thalaivan' is distinctive, unfolding entirely within forest settings and featuring several suspenseful twists. Cinematographer S.R. Sathish Kumar has authentically captured the raw and untamed beauty of the wilderness, adding depth and atmosphere to the storytelling. The film's editing is handled by Aghamad, ensuring a tightly knit narrative. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Here's A List Of Cheapest Steel Suppliers (See List) Steel Suppliers | search ads Search Now Undo Recently released songs and the trailer have created a strong buzz among fans and critics alike. Shanmuga Pandian in a bold new look after Madura Veeran After the success of 'Madura Veeran,' Shanmuga Pandian returns with a bold transformation, portraying a completely different character in 'Padai Thalaivan.' His performance is expected to highlight his growth and versatility as an actor. The supporting cast includes Yamini Chander, Kasthuri Raja , Munishkanth, Karunaas, Aruldoss, Sreejith Ravi , A. Venkatesh, S.S. Stanley, and Logu NPKS, each contributing to the film's immersive and diverse narrative. The major highlight of the film is going to be the late actor Vijayakanth's appearance through AI, and fans are super excited to see him back on big screens. Ilaiyaraaja's soundtrack heightens the emotional impact. The music of the film is composed by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, whose soulful score adds emotional depth and cultural resonance to the story. All the songs from the film have received an overwhelmingly positive response and have added to the anticipation for the film's release. With a powerful subject, a unique forest setting, and strong technical backing, 'Padai Thalaivan' is poised to be a memorable addition to Tamil cinema. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .


Time of India
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shanmuga Pandian reveals the reason behind 'Padai Thalaivan' delay
Shanmuga Pandian , son of the late Tamil cinema legend Vijayakanth , is making waves with his latest film 'Padai Thalaivan.' Directed by U Anbu, the movie features music composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja . The film blends action and emotion against a rich tribal backdrop, telling the poignant story of the bond between an elephant and its mahout. This unique storyline has already attracted attention, especially after the release of the trailer, which gave fans a glimpse into the film's dramatic and heartfelt moments. Vijayakanth brought back to screens using AI technology One of the most talked-about aspects of the 'Padai Thalaivan' trailer is the use of AI technology to recreate Vijayakanth's face, bringing a nostalgic touch to the film. Coupled with the playing of his iconic song 'Nee Pottu Vacha Thanga Kudam...' the trailer resonated deeply with Vijayakanth's fan base, generating high anticipation for the film's release. The recent music launch event added to the buzz, where Shanmuga Pandian actively engaged with fans and media as part of the film's promotional activities. Reason for film's release being postponed Originally, 'Padai Thalaivan' was slated to hit theatres on May 23, 2025. However, in a recent update shared on his Instagram story, Shanmuga Pandian announced that the release has been temporarily postponed due to difficulties in securing theatre slots. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo He expressed regret over the delay, thanking fans for their unwavering support and promising to announce a new release date soon. This transparency has helped maintain fan interest despite the setbacks. A strong comeback It is important to note that this is not the first time the film's release has been delayed. 'Padai Thalaivan' had previously been postponed twice after earlier announcements, which has led to some frustration among eager viewers. Nonetheless, with a strong cast, an emotional storyline, and a legacy connection to Vijayakanth, the film continues to hold promise and anticipation as it awaits a fresh release date. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .