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{{Short description|1995 film directed by P. C. Sreeram}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Kuruthipunal film poster.jpg
| caption = Poster of the Tamil version
| director = [[P. C. Sreeram]]
| screenplay = [[Kamal Haasan]]
| based_on = {{based on|''[[Drohkaal]]''|[[Govind Nihalani]]}}
| producer = {{plainlist|
* [[Chandrahasan]]
* Kamal Haasan
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
* Kamal Haasan
* [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]]
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]]
* [[Gautami]]
* [[Geetha (actress)|Geetha]]
}}
| cinematography = P. C. Sreeram
| editing = N. P. Sathish
| music = [[Mahesh Mahadevan|Mahesh]]
| studio = [[Raaj Kamal Films International]]
| distributor = 
| released = {{film date|df=yes|1995|10|23|Tamil|1996|7|7|Telugu}}
| runtime = 141–156 minutes{{efn|While historian [[G. Dhananjayan]]'s book ''The Best of Tamil Cinema'' gives the film's runtime as 141 minutes,{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=180}} ''Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema'' gives it as 156 minutes.{{Sfn |Rajadhyaksha |Willemen |1998 |p=529}}}}
| country = India
| language = {{ubl|Tamil|Telugu}}
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Kuruthipunal''''' ({{translation|River of Blood}}) is a 1995 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action thriller film]] directed and filmed by [[P. C. Sreeram]], and co-produced and written by [[Kamal Haasan]]. The film, which stars Haasan, [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]], [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]], [[Gautami]], and [[Geetha (actress)|Geetha]], is a remake of the [[Hindi]] film ''[[Drohkaal]]'' (1994) and revolves around two police officers seeking to curb a terrorist group headed by a [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxalite]].

Alongside the Tamil version, a [[Telugu language|Telugu]]-language version titled '''''Drohi''''' ({{translation|Traitor}}) was filmed at the same time. ''Kuruthipunal'' was co-produced by Haasan's brother [[Chandrahasan]]. [[Mahesh Mahadevan|Mahesh]] composed the score and the film was edited by N. P. Sathish. ''Kuruthipunal'' was the first Indian film to use [[Dolby Pro Logic|Dolby Stereo Surround SR]] technology.

''Kuruthipunal'' was released on 23 October 1995, [[Diwali]] day, and ''Drohi'' on 7 July 1996. The former was a critical and commercial success and won the [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil]], while Kamal Haasan won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]]. It was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|India's official entry]] for the [[68th Academy Awards]] under the category of [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best International Feature Film|not nominated]]. The film attained [[Cult film|cult status]] in Tamil cinema and has been recognised by many as having set standards for other action films of the period.

== Plot ==
Police officers Adhi Narayanan and Abbas devise a plan to take down a terrorist group, and they send [[Covert operation|undercover officers]] Anand and Shiva on "Operation Dhanush." The objective is to infiltrate a terrorist group headed by the [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxalite]] Badri and relay information back to Abbas. After a year of the operation, Anand is caught and commits suicide before he can be interrogated. With the information relayed by Anand, Abbas and Adhi know that the terrorists are picking up someone important and are going to [[Tiruchirappalli]]. Abbas tightens security at the railway station while Adhi calls his wife from a public telephone booth. Adhi sees some suspicious activity and tries to investigate, but a sound from his radio alerts the terrorist, and a shootout follows.

Adhi wounds a terrorist and stops another from fleeing by shooting at the car's tyre. The wounded terrorist enters the railway station but is shot dead by Abbas, and the car driver is taken into custody. Adhi asks the driver for information on Badri. The driver maintains his innocence, but Adhi is convinced that the driver holds a mid-level position in the terrorist group. The terrorists plan to assassinate a [[Union Minister]] who is visiting the city. An [[rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]] shooter is brought in to kill the minister, whose route the terrorists seem to know. The terrorists kill the minister, and Adhi catches the shooter, who identifies the driver as Badri. Adhi tells Badri that the shooter has identified him and is willing to give more information about the terrorist group. Badri, using his influence, kills the imprisoned shooter.

Adhi beats Badri and decides to kill him, but instead interrogates him. Badri reveals that the terrorists have planted a spy in the police department, Srinivasan, who is Abbas and Adhi's mentor. Adhi tells the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] that Srinivasan is a spy, but Srinivasan commits suicide before he can be arrested. Badri's assistant Narasimhan sends terrorists who kill Adhi's pet dog and non-fatally shoot Adhi's son to show he can easily kill Adhi's family, whom Narasimhan threatens to kill if Badri is not allowed to escape. Adhi cooperates, lets Badri escape and becomes the terrorists' new spy. Abbas becomes suspicious and follows Adhi when he goes to meet Badri, who catches, tortures and kills Abbas. Grief-stricken, Abbas's wife Zeenath and their teenage daughter go to live with Adhi, his wife Sumitra and their son.

Badri again threatens Adhi to allow two terrorists named Surendar and Mala to live and monitor Adhi. Overcome with guilt and grief over Abbas's death and his betrayal of his duty, Adhi realises that he is becoming like Srinivasan and decides to end the arrangement. Adhi sets up a meeting with Badri. Shiva, who is still in contact with Adhi, tells him that Narasimhan is meeting his wife and if Narasimhan dies, Shiva will become Badri's assistant. Adhi kills Narasimhan and tries to attack Badri in a safe house but is overpowered. Surendar tries to assault Abbas' daughter and kills Mala when she intervenes. Sumitra intervenes and seduces Surendar, steals his gun and kills him. Adhi is tortured for information about Dhanush.

With Adhi, Badri and Badri's second-in-command, Shiva, left in the room, Badri tells Adhi that the group has found the radio used by the spy and that Dhanush – the spy's codename – can no longer contact the police. This surprises Adhi as he looks at Shiva, who is the spy for confirmation. Badri notices this and realises that Shiva is Dhanush. When Badri tries to kill Shiva, Adhi breaks free, wrestles with Badri and kills him. Deciding the mission to destroy the terrorist group is more important than his life, Adhi orders Shiva to shoot him so that Shiva can continue spying. Shiva shoots Adhi as the other terrorists enter the room. Shiva tells the terrorists that Badri was killed by Adhi and he killed Adhi. Shiva says Badri's death leaves him as second-in-command, to take over the group. Adhi and Abbas are felicitated posthumously.

== Cast ==
The following cast list uses the character names from the Tamil version.
{{cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Adhi Narayanan [[Indian Police Service|IPS]]
* [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]] as Abbas IPS
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as Badri
* [[Gautami|Gouthami]] as Sumitra
* [[Geetha (actress)|Geetha]] as Zeenath{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=181}}
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as a criminal killed by Abbas<ref name="HuffPost">{{Cite news |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=23 October 2020 |title=25 Years On, Kamal Haasan's 'Kuruthipunal' Has Aged Better Than Many Of Its Contemporaries |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kamal-haasan-kuruthipunal-tamil-film-1995-thriller_in_5f918f8ac5b61c185f47dac5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026033907/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kamal-haasan-kuruthipunal-tamil-film-1995-thriller_in_5f918f8ac5b61c185f47dac5 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=27 October 2020 |work=[[HuffPost]] |location=India |language=en}}</ref>
* [[K. Viswanath]] as Srinivasan<ref name="moviefone">{{Cite web |title=Kuruthipunal – Cast and Crew |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kuruthipunal/iIcaCtAV42W6SPtBNauXh5/credits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241216041702/https://www.moviefone.com/movie/kuruthipunal/iIcaCtAV42W6SPtBNauXh5/credits/ |archive-date=16 Dec 2024 |access-date=26 May 2021 |website=[[Moviefone]] |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Ajay Rathnam]] as the [[Rocket-propelled grenade|RPG]] shooter<ref name="HuffPost" />
* [[Subhalekha Sudhakar]] as Soori<ref name="HuffPost" />
* [[Sab John]] as Narasimham
* [[Arvind Krishna (cinematographer)|Arvind Krishna]] as Shiva / Dhanush<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raaja |first=Abishek |date=23 October 2015 |title=The Chiyaan connection in Kuruthipunal |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/20-years-of-kamals-masterpiece-kuruthipunal.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913235839/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-15/20-years-of-kamals-masterpiece-kuruthipunal.html |archive-date=13 September 2019 |access-date=4 March 2021 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref>
* [[Anusha (actress)|Anusha]] as Mala<ref name="moviefone" />
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
In 1994, [[Govind Nihalani]] invited [[P. C. Sreeram]] and [[Kamal Haasan]] to a [[Mumbai|Bombay]] screening of his [[Hindi]] film ''[[Drohkaal]]''. Both men liked the film; Haasan wanted to remake it in Tamil and Sreeram agreed. Haasan and Sreeram had discussions with [[Sab John]] about filming; it was decided Haasan would write the remake's screenplay. After completing the script, Haasan suggested three titles, two of which were ''Kuruthipunal'' ({{translation|River of Blood}}) and ''Drohi'' ({{translation|Traitor}}). The former title was met with objections because it was believed "the audience may not have a stomach for a morbid title". Sreeram, however, preferred ''Kuruthipunal'', as it is also the title of [[Kuruthipunal (novel)|a novel]] by [[Indira Parthasarathy]], and he felt it had a connection to [[Akira Kurosawa]]'s ''[[Throne of Blood]]'' (1957).<ref name="PC Sreeram">{{Cite news |last=S |first=Srivatsan |date=22 October 2020 |title=A remake that is original: PC Sreeram retrospect on 25 years of 'Kuruthipunal' |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/pc-sreeram-on-25-years-of-kuruthipunal/article32917391.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024012543/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/pc-sreeram-on-25-years-of-kuruthipunal/article32917391.ece |archive-date=24 October 2020 |access-date=24 October 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> It was decided to film simultaneously in Telugu with ''Drohi'' as the title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2016 |title=கமல் நடிப்பில் உருவான துரோகி, டாப் டக்கர் படங்கள் என்ன ஆனது என தெரியுமா? |trans-title=Do you know what happened to the films 'Top Tucker' and 'Drohi' starring Kamal |url=http://www.vikatan.com/cinema/tamil-cinema/news/68572-tamil-movies-that-changed-their-titles-when-they-were-released.art |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122154725/http://www.vikatan.com/cinema/tamil-cinema/news/68572-tamil-movies-that-changed-their-titles-when-they-were-released.art |archive-date=22 November 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016 |website=[[Ananda Vikatan]] |language=Ta}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1186933744424275968 |user=pcsreeram |title=Two decades #Drohi in Telugu / #Kuruthipunal in Tamil, shot simultaneously. @ikamalhaasan , @akarjunofficial , K.Viswanath, @gautamitads & Nasser @nasser_kameela with his outstanding performance! |author=pcsreeramISC |author-link=P. C. Sreeram |date=23 October 2019 |access-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023111829/https://twitter.com/pcsreeram/status/1186933744424275968 |archive-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> This was Sreeram's second film as director after ''[[Meera (1992 film)|Meera]]'' (1992).<ref name="kp" /> The film was produced by Haasan and his brother [[Chandrahasan]] under the banner [[Raaj Kamal Films International]], photographed by Sreeram and edited by N. P. Sathish,{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=180}} while Haasan's then-wife [[Sarika]] was the sound recordist.<ref name="gatech">{{Cite web |last=Dinesh |title=Notes on Kamal's Droghi(alias) Kurudhi Punal |url=http://www.cad.gatech.edu/~gt0494c/kamal_films/droghi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990504203400/http://www.cad.gatech.edu/~gt0494c/kamal_films/droghi.html |archive-date=4 May 1999 |access-date=7 June 2021 |website=[[Georgia Tech]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Nirav Shah]] worked as an assistant cinematographer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=15 September 2011 |title=Zen and the art of light |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/zen-and-the-art-of-light/article2455812.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602054813/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/zen-and-the-art-of-light/article2455812.ece |archive-date=2 June 2021 |access-date=2 June 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film has no songs and the score was composed by [[Mahesh Mahadevan|Mahesh]] who previously worked with Haasan on ''[[Nammavar]]'' (1994).<ref name="kp" /><ref name="PC Sreeram" />

=== Casting ===
Besides producing the film and writing the screenplay, Haasan also portrayed the lead character Adhi Narayanan.<ref name="PC Sreeram" /> He approached [[Arjun Sarja|Arjun]] to portray Abbas; Arjun agreed to do the film even without hearing the narration until filming began.<ref name="gatech" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=6 November 2014 |title=Sixty and still going strong |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Sixty-and-Still-Going-Strong/2014/11/06/article2509273.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828034550/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/reviews/Sixty-and-Still-Going-Strong/2014/11/06/article2509273.ece |archive-date=28 August 2016 |access-date=12 October 2015 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]], who portrayed the [[Naxalite–Maoist insurgency|Naxalite]] leader Badri, said he had the freedom to interpret the character in his own way and that he "didn't really 'act' in the film. The context of every scene was so well established, that I did nothing more than maintain a stoic expression in most scenes. The fact that my character was torturing someone and yet my face was so calm contributed to the impact."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Naig |first=Udhav |date=1 December 2014 |title=The rocky road to fame |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/actor-nasser-talks-about-how-he-found-his-redemption-in-cinema-at-a-time-of-personal-crisis-and-his-long-innings-in-the-industry/article6652055.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313154630/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/actor-nasser-talks-about-how-he-found-his-redemption-in-cinema-at-a-time-of-personal-crisis-and-his-long-innings-in-the-industry/article6652055.ece |archive-date=13 March 2021 |access-date=13 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Vikram (actor)|Vikram]] dubbed the voice of Sab John, who portrayed the Naxalite Narasimham,<ref name="HuffPost" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2018 |title=Chiyaan Vikram – The voice behind Kollywood's unforgettable characters! |url=http://www.suryanfm.in/suryan-stories/chiyaan-vikram-the-voice-behind-kollywood-characters/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304111516/http://www.suryanfm.in/suryan-stories/chiyaan-vikram-the-voice-behind-kollywood-characters/ |archive-date=4 March 2021 |access-date=4 March 2021 |website=[[Suryan FM]]}}</ref> and [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]] dubbed the voice of [[Gautami]], who portrayed Adhi's wife Sumitra.<ref name="HuffPost" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 October 2019 |title=25 Years of Kuruthipunal: 25 lesser-known facts about Kamal Haasan's trendsetting spy-thriller |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/23/25-years-of-kuruthipunal-25-lesser-known-facts-about-kamal-haasans-trendsetting-spy-thriller-729--14.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210313143617/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/photos/slideshows/2019/oct/23/25-years-of-kuruthipunal-25-lesser-known-facts-about-kamal-haasans-trendsetting-spy-thriller-729--14.html |archive-date=13 March 2021 |access-date=13 March 2021 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |at=slide 14}}</ref> ''Kuruthipunal'' is the fourth collaboration between Haasan and Gautami, and the last one until the release of ''[[Papanasam (film)|Papanasam]]'' (2015).<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 November 2016 |title=13 வருடங்களாக சேர்ந்து வாழ்ந்த கமல்ஹாசன்–கவுதமி பிரிந்தனர் ''வேதனைப்பட்டு எடுத்த முடிவு'' என்று கவுதமி பேட்டி |url=http://www.dailythanthi.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2016/11/01225802/From-Gautami-to-Sarika-The-women-in-Kamal-Haasans.vpf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123071142/http://www.dailythanthi.com/Cinema/CinemaNews/2016/11/01225802/From-Gautami-to-Sarika-The-women-in-Kamal-Haasans.vpf |archive-date=23 November 2016 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=[[Dina Thanthi]] |language=Ta}}</ref> It is the Tamil debut of [[K. Viswanath]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=கண்ணன் |first=சுரேஷ் |date=29 February 2024 |title=நேர்மை பிடிக்கும்.. ஆனால் சூழ்நிலை கைதி... உளவியல் சதுரங்க ஆட்டத்தில் 'குருதிப்புனல்' கே விஸ்வநாத்! |url=https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/cinema/analysis-of-kuruthipunal-movie-k-viswanath-character |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240704151455/https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/cinema/analysis-of-kuruthipunal-movie-k-viswanath-character |archive-date=4 July 2024 |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=[[Puthiya Thalaimurai]] |language=ta}}</ref> [[Arvind Krishna (cinematographer)|Arvind Krishna]], an assistant cinematographer, also joined the cast at Sreeram's insistence.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Amalan |date=10 November 2004 |title=Specials! |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/interviews/aravinth.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050207050854/http://www.cinesouth.com/specials/interviews/aravinth.shtml |archive-date=7 February 2005 |access-date=19 August 2025 |website=Cinesouth}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
''Kuruthipunal'' was the first Indian film to use [[Dolby Pro Logic|Dolby Stereo surround SR]] technology.<ref name="HuffPost" /><ref name="kp">{{Cite magazine |date=15 October 1995 |title=ஓவர் டு கோடம்பாக்கம்... |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1995-10-15/kalki1995-10-15.pdf |access-date=3 January 2026 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=40–42 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> While composing the score for Badri, Mahesh decided to make the film sound ominous, and he "wanted the omen of death to reflect" on the character's face. According to Sreeram; "I am not a cinematographer but someone who is part of the expedition group ... There were lots that were planned ahead of the shoot, which made it easier for us."<ref name="PC Sreeram" /> To collect details about RPG rocket launching, Haasan met many army personnel. The police uniforms and haircuts seen in the film were made in accordance with [[Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy|National Police Academy]] specifications.<ref name="gatech" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Kummar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=20 October 1995 |title=Big screen bonanza |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951021/03/2041a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222033105/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951021/03/2041a.html |archive-date=22 December 1996 |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=41}}</ref> While filming the scene in which Adhi interrogates Badri, Sreeram took liberties with the way real interrogations take place; he did not want the scene to look mundane, but was "opting for that visual style for the first time ... it also came from a point of commercial interest".<ref name="PC Sreeram" /> Despite the tight schedule and budget for the film, filming was completed within 30 days. According to Sreeram; "The shooting was akin to a war footing. You cannot shoot three or four scenes a day, if not for a great star cast."<ref name="PC Sreeram" />

== Release ==
''Kuruthipunal'' was released on 23 October 1995, [[Diwali]] day,<ref name="HuffPost" /><ref name="gatech" /> and ''Drohi'' on 7 July 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-07 |title=పాత్ బ్రేకింగ్ మూవీ ‘ద్రోహి’కి పాతికేళ్ళు! |url=https://ntvtelugu.com/top-story/25-years-for-drohi-movie-28689.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251210005914/https://ntvtelugu.com/top-story/25-years-for-drohi-movie-28689.html |archive-date=2025-12-10 |access-date=2025-10-27 |website=[[NTV (India)|NTV]] |language=te}}</ref> For the premiere of ''Kuruthipunal'' in [[Chennai|Madras]], Haasan invited numerous [[Bollywood]] personalities, including Nihalani and [[Manmohan Shetty]], who produced ''Drohkaal''. Despite facing competition from ''[[Muthu (film)|Muthu]]'', which was released on the same day, ''Kuruthipunal'' became a commercial success.<ref name="gatech" /> ''Kuruthipunal'' was included as part of a retrospective to Kamal Haasan under the category "Director in Focus" at the [[International Film Festival Rotterdam]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=30 July 2004 |title=Award, accolade and much more ... |url=http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/07/30/stories/2004073001610100.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101125134302/http://hindu.com/thehindu/fr/2004/07/30/stories/2004073001610100.htm |archive-date=25 November 2010 |access-date=13 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

=== Critical reception ===
''Kuruthipunal'' received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=3 April 1997 |title=The silence that speaks |url=http://www.rediff.com/style/apr/03sriram.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080726155637/http://www.rediff.com/style/apr/03sriram.htm |archive-date=26 July 2008 |access-date=27 October 2020 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> On 11 November 1995, K. Vijiyan from ''[[New Straits Times]]'' praised the film's special effects for their realism but added; "The fear Kamal feels for his family was not properly brought to the screen by Sreeram. The intensity Arjun usually puts into his movies was also missing here"; and concluded ''Kuruthipunal'' is "like an American action movie made in Tamil".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. |date=11 November 1995 |title=Like an American flick made in Tamil |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4ghPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6892%2C239995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240607104013/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4ghPAAAAIBAJ&pg=6892%2C239995 |archive-date=7 June 2024 |access-date=14 March 2019 |work=[[New Straits Times]] |pages=44 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref> On 19 November, ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' said the film was attempting to turn [[Tamil cinema]], which was quickly moving in the direction of [[Masala film|masala]] entertainers, by bringing in a different screenplay. The reviewer noted though it would not fulfill the needs of ordinary people, it is a wonderful film,{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=182}} and rated it 45 out of 100.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=K. C. Vijaya |date=24 October 2025 |title=‘Kuruthipunal,’ a Tamil film that seemed like an English movie, turns 30 |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kuruthipunal-a-tamil-film-that-seemed-like-an-english-movie-turns-30/article70194124.ece |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251024142342/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kuruthipunal-a-tamil-film-that-seemed-like-an-english-movie-turns-30/article70194124.ece |archive-date=24 October 2025 |access-date=2025-10-27 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref>

R. P. R. of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' appreciated the makers for not making compromises for commercial success, the performances of Arjun and Haasan, and the film's realism.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஆர். பி. ஆர். |date=5 November 1995 |title=குருதிப்புனல் |url=https://ibb.co/rk1rzRq |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230504150717/https://ibb.co/rk1rzRq |archive-date=4 May 2023 |access-date=4 May 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=49 |language=ta}}</ref> [[Bhawana Somaaya]], the then editor of the ''G'' magazine, said ''Kuruthipunal'' "proved a chilling experience. Violent, but realistic in the context of what is happening today."<ref name="gatech" /> D. S. Ramanujam of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote that the film "carrying the sheen of a foreign movie with violence getting the same treatment has the phychological conflict."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=27 October 1995 |title=Cinema: Makkal Aatchi/Rakasia Police/Kuruthi Punal/Neela Kuyil |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951028/03/2727a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222023659/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951028/03/2727a.html |archive-date=22 December 1996 |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=27}}</ref> Nihalani called the film better than ''Drohkaal''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Panicker |first=Prem |author-link=Prem Panicker |date=7 November 2003 |title=The Curse of talent – Prem Panicker |url=http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/07kamal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110622041930/http://in.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/07kamal.htm |archive-date=22 June 2011 |access-date=22 January 2011 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
''Kuruthipunal'' won the [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil]] and Kamal Haasan won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil]].{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=182}} The film was [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|India's official entry]] for the [[68th Academy Awards]] in the category [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best International Feature Film|not nominated]].<ref name="PC Sreeram" /><ref name="gatech" />

== Legacy ==


''Kuruthipunal'' attained [[Cult film|cult status]] in Tamil cinema,<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 May 2021 |title=Kamal Haasan remembers his 'amma' on Mother's Day |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kamal-haasan-remembers-his-amma-on-mothers-day-984120.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509105506if_/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kamal-haasan-remembers-his-amma-on-mothers-day-984120.html |archive-date=9 May 2021 |access-date=9 June 2021 |work=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> and has been recognised by many to have set standards for other action films of the period.{{Sfn |Dhananjayan |2011 |p=182}} Many filmmakers, including [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]] and [[A. R. Murugadoss]], have cited ''Kuruthipunal'' as an influence on their works. Certain dialogues from the film such as "''Veeramna enna theriyuma, payam illatha mathiri nadikkarathuthan''" (Do you know what bravery is? It is to act as if you know no fear); "Delay, disable and disintegrate";<ref name="HuffPost" /> and "Shoot me ... shoot me, my man. It's a bloody order!"; attained popularity.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=28 September 2016 |title=How is a Tamil film to impress Oscar? |url=https://www.thehindu.com/thread/arts-culture-society/article9158413.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315153821/https://www.thehindu.com/thread/arts-culture-society/article9158413.ece |archive-date=15 March 2021 |access-date=15 March 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Actor [[Dhanush]] (real name: Venkatesh Prabhu), the youngest son of director [[Kasthuri Raja]], adopted his stage name after being inspired by the covert operation in ''Kuruthipunal''.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramachandran |first=Sanskriti |date=13 December 2021 |title=Told Sara Ali Khan not to call me Thalaiva, but she does not listen: Dhanush |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/131221/told-sara-ali-khan-not-to-call-me-thalaiva-but-she-does-not-listen-d.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222111907/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/bollywood/131221/told-sara-ali-khan-not-to-call-me-thalaiva-but-she-does-not-listen-d.html |archive-date=22 December 2021 |access-date=24 December 2021 |work=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of submissions to the 68th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}
* {{Cite book |last1=Rajadhyaksha |first1=Ashish |author-link=Ashish Rajadhyaksha |title=Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema |last2=Willemen |first2=Paul |author-link2=Paul Willemen |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] and [[Oxford University Press]] |year=1998 |isbn=0-19-563579-5 |orig-date=1994}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Kamal Haasan}}
{{RaajKamalFilmsInternational}}
{{Indian submission for Academy Awards}}

[[Category:1990s police films]]
[[Category:1990s spy thriller films]]
[[Category:1995 action thriller films]]
[[Category:1995 films]]
[[Category:1995 Indian films]]
[[Category:1995 multilingual films]]
[[Category:1995 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1995 Telugu-language films]]
[[Category:Central Bureau of Investigation in fiction]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Films about Naxalism]]
[[Category:Films about terrorism in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by P. C. Sreeram]]
[[Category:Films produced by Kamal Haasan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mahesh Mahadevan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Kamal Haasan]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian multilingual films]]
[[Category:Indian police films]]
[[Category:Indian spy thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Hindi films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action thriller films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]
[[Category:Telugu remakes of Hindi films]]

Kuruthipunal (film) - Revision history

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