Here comes a movie which reflects the thoughts of an average cinegoer! Audiences have been used to the run-of-the-mill commercial masalas on screen. Most movies featuring actors uttering punch dialogues, one man fighting against nearly ten baddies, making them fly in the air matrix-style have been ridiculed by the fans themselves among friends. What if all these fans together made a spoof on the existing rules and regulations of commercial cinema? Tamil Padam is the answer!

Who's In It?

Shiva (Chennai 600028, Saroja) plays the protagonist of Tamil Padam. He is not accompanied by any other young actors, but has Vennira Aadai Moorthy, Manobala and M.S. Bhaskar as his friends! Disha Pandey makes her debut as Shiva's love interest. Shamughasundaram, Periyardhasan, Azhagu, Mahanathi Sankar, Sampath, Paravai Muniyamma, Ammu, V.S. Ragavan and Rekha Suresh are part of the cast.

Tamil Padam is directed by C.S. Amuthan and produced by Dhayanidhi Azhagiri for Cloud Nine Movies.

What's It About?

In a village called Cinemapatti, a father (Periyardhasan as Mokkai) awaits the birth of his child. A boy is born. This is considered unfortunate by him, as the panchayat rules clearly order the male child to be sentenced to death. With much grief, he asks his mother (Paravai Muniyamma as Mooli) to kill the child. While trying to do so using the 'Karuthamma' fame 'Kalli-paal (cactus milk)' technique, the just-born-boy speaks to his grandmother! He convinces her that becoming a commercial hero in movies is his destiny. He wants her to drop him in a goods train which will take him to Chennai (Thalapthy-ish!). But the grandmother swears to make him a big star and takes him along with her to Chennai. Central railway station is shown, indicating that the boy has arrived in Chennai! 

A gang of baddies cause havoc and threaten the merchants in a bus stand demanding money. The young boy sees the atrocities and he tells his grandmother that he needs to save the innocent and poor by fighting for them. He curiously asks her when this will be possible. Mooli shows him a bicycle and asks him to start riding it. The wheel spins and the young boy grows older into our hero Shiva (Shiva)!  

Shiva fights the baddies, followed by an introduction song titled 'Pachai Manja Pink Tamilan naan'! He is the saviour of the poor and needy! People fondly call him as Pudhiya Thalapathy, Agila Ulagha Super Star and Vice-Captain!! As per the tradition followed in Tamil cinema, he sits on the walls chit-chatting about girls and hangs around with his 'Boys' friends - Bharath (Vennira Aadai Moorthy), Nakul (M.S. Bhaskar) and Siddharth (Manobala). 

Now comes the love story. Shiva meets Priya (Disha Pandey) in a book store while picking up the book 'Love and Love Only' (Kadhalukku Mariyathai-ish) and falls in love with her at first sight. His love becomes stronger when he sees her fighting for justice, defending an ill-treated husband by beating up his drunkard wife (Mozhi!). He tries to convince her of his love for her. He visits her college and proposes to her in a library (Mounam Ragam-ish). He also tries to impress her by learning Bharatnatyam (Kadhalan!). She reciprocates his love. 

During a subway rendezvous, Shiva and Priya are found by her father's men (like in Run). Priya fears that they might harm Shiva. But, by placing a mole (!) on his face he is no longer recognized (!!) by the men and smartly escapes from them. Meanwhile, Priya's father Kodeeswaran (Azhaghu) comes to know of his daughter's love affair and meets Shiva.

Kodeeswaran insults him citing the reason that he is poor. Shiva challenges that he will become richer than him by working hard. After Shiva leaves, Kodeeswaran asks his servant for coffee. Shiva's hard work to earn money is shown in a song (as in Rajni's Annamalai and many other Vikraman movies). He does everything possible under the sun! Before the coffee is given to Kodeeswaran, Shiva comes back as a crorepati!! The father accepts him as the bridegroom. Shiva and Priya sing a duet in hill stations. End of love story.

Next is the action avatar! Shiva, apart from being the Pudhiya Thalapathy and lover boy, is also an undercover cop (Pokkiri-ish). He is on a secret mission to arrest a mafia gang leader called 'D for Death'. He eliminates a few criminals (Thirupachi-ish, Ghajini-ish, Anniyan-ish and Aboorva Sagotharargal-ish style!) but during a trip to Pondicherry with Priya in a jeep, he is attacked by D's men while he is drunk, making him unable to fight back. They also kidnap Priya (like in Kaakha Kaakha!). A badly wounded Shiva wakes up in a hospital. The doctor confirms that it might take months or even years for him to even walk. But as soon as Shiva hears a telepathic scream from Priya for help, he immediately gets up from bed and goes on a mission to save his girl and exterminate the villans. The doctor exclaims that it is a medical miracle!!

The rest of the story is about whether Shiva saved Priya from the clutches of D. The twist in the tale comes in the form of his grandmother as the notorious criminal D (reasons clearly explained in the movie!). This interesting tale also includes Shiva making a visit back to Cinemapatti to find his parents! Do we need to say more on this laugh riot?! No more spoilers; check the movie out in theatres!

The Performances

Tamil Padam is about Shiva as a commercial hero! He has simple excelled in his performance. It remains doubtful if anyone else could have played his role with such finesse.  He steals the show. All others in the cast are good. Kasthuri in an item number sizzles. 

For the Techie Lovers

Though a spoof, Tamil Padam has been given the technical attention like for any other commercial movie. Nirav Shah's cinematography is a major plus. Kannan's songs and background score are enjoyable. C.S. Amuthan's script is immensely supported by the dialogues. 

Final Verdict

Making a spoof this large on Tamil cinema has never happened before. The huge response the movie has received at the box office and among critics proves that the movie is a rocking entertainer. The industry, which is generally very touchy about being made fun or criticised, has taken Tamil Padam in a sportive fashion which deserves appreciation. C.S. Amuthan's effort to make a movie in this unexplored genre is commendable. All credit goes to Dhayanidhi Azhagiri for making this production possible! Tamil Padam is a cult. Watch it with your friends and family, again and again!

Cheers!: Dhayanidhi Azhagiri, C.S. Amuthan and Shiva!

Review by Shailesh

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