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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Pa. Pandi.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Dhanush]]
| producer = Dhanush
| writer = Dhanush
| starring = [[Rajkiran]]<br />[[Revathi]]<br />[[Prasanna (actor)|Prasanna]]<br />Dhanush<br />[[Madonna Sebastian]]
| music = [[Sean Roldan]]
| cinematography = [[Velraj]]
| editing = [[Prasanna GK]]
| studio = [[Wunderbar Films]]
| distributor = K Productions
| released = {{Film date|2017|4|14|df=y}}
| runtime = 125 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}
'''''Pa. Pandi''''' (also known as '''''Power Paandi''''') is a 2017 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[comedy drama]] film written, directed and produced by [[Dhanush]], in his directorial debut. It stars [[Rajkiran]] in the titular role, alongside [[Revathi]], [[Prasanna (actor)|Prasanna]], [[Chaya Singh]], while Dhanush, [[Madonna Sebastian]], [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]] and [[Dhivyadharshini]] made cameo appearances. It follows a retired stuntman who travels to [[Hyderabad]] to seek out freedom, and also to reunite with his old village lover.

The film was officially announced in September 2016 under the title ''Power Paandi''. [[Principal photography]] commenced the same month in [[Chennai]], which was followed by another schedules held at Hyderabad and [[Madurai]], and [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] by February 2017. That April, the title was shortened to ''Pa Paandi'' because of the makers seeking entertainment tax exemption. The music was composed by [[Sean Roldan]], cinematography was handled by [[R. Velraj]] and editing by [[Prasanna GK]].

''Pa Paandi'' was released on 14 April 2017, coinciding with the [[Puthandu|Tamil New Year's Day]]. It received positive reviews from critics and became a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2017 |title=Dhanush's VIP 2 rocks the box-office despite bad reviews |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-s-vip-2-rocks-the-box-office-despite-bad-reviews/story-UkKjYpokEG8CInfvrvAMXI.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225191409/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-s-vip-2-rocks-the-box-office-despite-bad-reviews/story-UkKjYpokEG8CInfvrvAMXI.html |archive-date=25 December 2019 |access-date=23 April 2020 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> The film was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Ambi Ning Vayassaytho]]'' (2018).<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |date=16 October 2017 |title=Ambareesh to play Raj Kiran's role in 'Pa Paandi' Kannada remake |url=http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ambareesh-play-raj-kirans-role-pa-paandi-kannada-remake-70056 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111152255/http://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ambareesh-play-raj-kirans-role-pa-paandi-kannada-remake-70056 |archive-date=11 November 2017 |access-date=11 November 2017 |website=[[The News Minute]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Power Pandi, a former stuntman in [[Tamil cinema]], is now leading a retired life with his son Raghavan and family. Pandi is very close to his grandchildren Dhruv and Shaksha. He can not sit idle at home and gets involved in other issues outside his house, which brings trouble to Raghavan. He also tries to keep him occupied by going for some part-time jobs like a gym instructor, sidekick, and even returning to being a cinema stuntman, but nothing fulfils him. This brings friction between Pandi and Raghavan.

Pandi, seeking his freedom, goes out of his house with his old [[Royal Enfield Bullet]] and old-age savings. On his way, he sees a bunch of old people riding their bikes like him, and narrates his first love experience with them. He shares about how he, at his young age, met Poonthendral for the first time, how they fell in love, and how they were separated. He tells them that he is on a journey to find Poonthendral again. An old man in that group helps Pandi locate Poonthendral. Pandi messages Poonthendral, who has now settled in [[Hyderabad]], as he was in her place and was eager to meet her again.

Finally, Poonthendral agrees to meet him in a restaurant, and both of them meet, remembering all the by-gone days. They post their meetups on social media and express happiness for each other's lives. Pandi proposes to Poonthendral that they live the rest of their lives together. Poonthendral, who was initially reluctant at his decision, later convinces herself about his companionship and asks him to come to her house the next day for lunch and to meet her family (her daughter and granddaughter).

Back in [[Chennai]], Raghavan realises his mistake and starts searching for his father everywhere. Dhruv locates Pandi using social media and finally comes to Poonthendral's house in Hyderabad to take Pandi back with them. When Pandi comes to Poonthendral's house for lunch, he gets reunited with Raghavan's family. Poonthendral and Pandi realise that their lives have to go this way and decide to be in touch with each other for the rest of their lives. With many emotional bursts, Pandi leaves Poonthendral's house with Raghavan, waving his hands in the air without seeing her, to which she responds.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Rajkiran]] as Pandian Pazhanisami (Power Pandi)
**[[Dhanush]] as younger Pandi
* [[Revathi]] as Poonthendral
**[[Madonna Sebastian]] as younger Poonthendral
* [[Prasanna (actor)|Prasanna]] as Raghavan "Rambo"
* [[Raaghavan|Master Raghavan]] as Dhruv
* [[Neeli (TV series)|Baby Chaavi Sharma]] as Shaksha
* [[Chaya Singh]] as Premalatha
* [[Vidyullekha Raman]] as Poongodi
* Bhawana Aneja as Power Pandi's wife
* [[Aadukalam Naren]] as Chandrasekhar, Poonthendral's father
* Meena Vemuri as Mrs. Chandrasekhar, Poonthendral's mother
* [[Bharathi Kannan]] as Poongodi's father
* [[Dheena (actor)|Dheena]] as Mani, Pandi's friend
* [[Sendrayan]] as Drug Seller
* Rinson Simon as Varun
* [[Supergood Subramani]] as a police officer
* [[Robo Shankar]] as hero in Gautham's film
* [[Divyadarshini|Dhivyadharshini]] as Poonthendral's daughter
* [[Stunt Silva]] as Bullet Raja
* [[Baba Bhaskar]] as a villager
* [[Balaji Mohan]] as Raghavan, Pandi's neighbour
* [[Velraj]] as Police Inspector
* Som Shekar as Letter Boy in song "Vaanam"
* [[Gautham Vasudev Menon]] as Director Gautham (Guest appearance)
}}

== Production ==
On 7 September 2016, [[Dhanush]] announced his directorial debut titled ''Power Paandi'', with a first look poster being released to the media, and also producing the film under his production house, Wunderbar Films.<ref name="sify">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2016 |title='Power Paandi'-Dhanush turns director! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/power-paandi-dhanush-turns-director-news-tamil-qjhjxefggchhg.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912224121/http://www.sify.com/movies/power-paandi-dhanush-turns-director-news-tamil-qjhjxefggchhg.html |archive-date=12 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> The film has [[Rajkiran]] playing the title role as "Power Paandi" and [[Prasanna (actor)|Prasanna]] playing a prominent role, as Rajkiran's son, while [[Sean Roldan]], [[Velraj]] and [[Prasanna GK|Prasanna G. K.]] became a part of the film's technical crew as its music composer, cinematographer and editor respectively.<ref name="newindianexpress">{{Cite web |title=Dhanush turns director; first look of his Power Paandi released |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Dhanush-turns-director-first-look-of-his-Power-Paandi-released/2016/09/07/article3615250.ece |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908171645/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Dhanush-turns-director-first-look-of-his-Power-Paandi-released/2016/09/07/article3615250.ece |archive-date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> The film began production on the day of its public announcement,<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 September 2016 |title=Dhanush set for his directorial debut with Power Paandi |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-set-for-his-directorial-debut-with-power-pandi/story-MqSzcaSJwIIeQEhJfvXmWI.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027174247/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dhanush-set-for-his-directorial-debut-with-power-pandi/story-MqSzcaSJwIIeQEhJfvXmWI.html |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=9 November 2024 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="intoday">{{Cite web |date=7 September 2016 |title=Power Paandi: Dhanush turns director, unveils the first look poster |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/power-paandi-dhanush-direction-raj-kiran-prasanna-wunderbar-film-339620-2016-09-07 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160908163006/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/power-paandi-dhanush-direction-raj-kiran-prasanna-wunderbar-film/1/758410.html |archive-date=8 September 2016 |access-date=8 September 2016 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref> and [[Wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] in late February 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2017 |title=Its a wrap for Power Paandi |url=https://screen4screen.com/news/news-movies-1608 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722081505/https://screen4screen.com/news/news-movies-1608 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |access-date=22 July 2024 |website=Screen 4 Screen |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2017 |title=Dhanush wraps up shoot for 'Power Pandi' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/dhanush-wraps-up-shoot-for-power-pandi/articleshow/57387663.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418100051/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/dhanush-wraps-up-shoot-for-power-pandi/articleshow/57387663.cms |archive-date=18 April 2017 |access-date=9 November 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> In April 2017, the title was shortened to ''Pa. Pandi'' to seek tax exemption.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=3 April 2017 |title=Power Paandi: Dhanush's film loses its powerful title. Here's why |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/power-paandi-dhanush-film-loses-its-powerful-title-here-why-4597299/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406021617/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/power-paandi-dhanush-film-loses-its-powerful-title-here-why-4597299/ |archive-date=6 April 2017 |access-date=5 April 2017 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music and score of the film were composed by Sean Roldan. The song "Venpani Malare" written by Dhanush, features both male and female versions sung by Roldan and [[Shweta Mohan]], and an additional version sung by Dhanush was released later. The track list was released on 25 February 2017, and the audio launch was held on 9 March 2017.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq1jpkOmGcg |title=Power Paandi — Official Jukebox — Rajkiran — Dhanush — Sean Roldan |date=9 March 2017 |language=en |publisher=[[Wunderbar Films|Wunderbar Studios]] |access-date=9 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309231115/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cq1jpkOmGcg&gl=US&hl=en |archive-date=9 March 2017 |url-status=live |format=video |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=835315285691269121 |user=dhanushkraja |title=Here is the track list of #powerpaandi .. a Sean Roldan musical. |author=Dhanush |author-link=Dhanush |access-date=7 January 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/mR0Xj |archive-date=April 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2017 |title=Dhanush's Power Paandi jukebox is out, receives glowing reviews from celebs |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dhanush-power-paandi-jukebox-is-out-receives-glowing-reviews-from-celebs-4562084/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312015855/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/dhanush-power-paandi-jukebox-is-out-receives-glowing-reviews-from-celebs-4562084/ |archive-date=12 March 2017 |access-date=7 January 2025 |website=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> An additional version of "Venpani Malare" which was sung by Dhanush was released separately on 6 April 2017.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=849962151150211073 |user=dhanushkraja |title=Here we go .. #VenpaniMalare my version. Power paandi. From April 14th. |author=Dhanush |author-link=Dhanush |access-date=7 January 2025 |language=en |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/lqVzs?wr=false |archive-date=April 9, 2026 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Siddharth K of ''[[Sify]]'' rated the album 3 out of 5, with a verdict "Sean Roldan's big ticket to the top league."<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Siddharth |date=9 March 2017 |title=Power Paandi Music Review — Sean Roldan's big ticket to the top league. |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/power-paandi-sean-roldan-s-big-ticket-to-the-top-league-news-tamil-rdjlUbjedjcdc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310124935/http://www.sify.com/movies/power-paandi-sean-roldan-s-big-ticket-to-the-top-league-news-tamil-rdjlUbjedjcdc.html |archive-date=10 March 2017 |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> Surendhar MK of ''[[Hindustan Times]]'' rated the album 4 out of 5.<ref>{{Cite web |last=MK |first=Surendhar |date=10 March 2017 |title=Power Paandi audio review: Composer Sean Roldan is in sublime form here |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/power-paandi-audio-review-composer-sean-roldan-is-in-sublime-form-here/story-l7zOlTmMWKM92KPkvJL4KL.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018065656/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/power-paandi-audio-review-composer-sean-roldan-is-in-sublime-form-here/story-l7zOlTmMWKM92KPkvJL4KL.html |archive-date=18 October 2019 |access-date=18 October 2019 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| total_length = 24:01
| title1 = Vaanam
| lyrics1 = [[Selvaraghavan]]
| extra1 = Ananthu
| note1 = The Life of Power Paandi
| length1 = 4:27
| title2 = Soorakaathu
| lyrics2 = [[Dhanush]]
| extra2 = Dhanush
| note2 = The Mass of Power Paandi
| length2 = 2:53
| title3 = Paarthen
| lyrics3 = Selvaraghavan
| extra3 = [[Sean Roldan]], [[Shweta Mohan]]
| note3 = The Youth of Power Paandi
| length3 = 3:03
| title4 = Veesum Kaathodadhaan
| lyrics4 = [[Raju Murugan]]
| extra4 = Sean Roldan, [[Anthony Daasan]]
| note4 = Power Paandi: The Nomad
| length4 = 2:58
| title5 = Venpani Malare
| lyrics5 = Dhanush
| extra5 = Sean Roldan
| note5 = The Romance of Power Paandi — Male Version
| length5 = 3:53
| title6 = Venpani Malare
| lyrics6 = Dhanush
| extra6 = Shweta Mohan
| note6 = The Romance of Power Paandi — Female Version
| length6 = 3:53
| title7 = Venpani Malare
| lyrics7 = Dhanush
| extra7 = Dhanush
| note7 = Additional Version
| length7 = 3:53
}}

== Critical reception ==
''Pa. Pandi'' received critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |last=K |first=Janani |date=16 July 2024 |title='Raayan' trailer: Dhanush is unstoppable in this violent film |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/raayan-trailer-dhanush-kalidas-jayaram-sundeep-kishan-2567498-2024-07-16 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722081609/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/raayan-trailer-dhanush-kalidas-jayaram-sundeep-kishan-2567498-2024-07-16 |archive-date=22 July 2024 |access-date=21 July 2024 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref> {{Rotten Tomatoes prose|score=100|count=6|average=7.5|consensus=|ref=yes |access-date=17 April 2024}}

[[Baradwaj Rangan]] wrote for ''[[Film Companion]]'', "Here's why ''Pa Paandi'' works. Rajkiran. He exudes such grandfatherly warmth, it's impossible not to care for him. And as the second half unfolds, the story picks up too".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |author-link=Baradwaj Rangan |date=14 April 2017 |title=Pa Paandi Movie Review |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/pa-paandi-movie-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230919232415/https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/pa-paandi-movie-review |archive-date=19 September 2023 |access-date=2 September 2023 |website=[[Film Companion]] |language=en}}</ref> M Suganth of ''[[The Times of India]]'' wrote, "In his directorial debut, Dhanush gives us a heartwarming film that, despite its conventional storytelling, packs in a huge emotional wallop".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suganth |first=M |date=14 April 2017 |title=Pa. Paandi Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/pa-paandi/movie-review/58164300.cms |url-status=deviated |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212043607/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/pa-paandi/movie-review/58164300.cms |archive-date=12 December 2017 |access-date=9 March 2025 |work=[[The Times of India]] |language=en}}</ref> [[Sowmya Rajendran]] wrote for ''[[The News Minute]]'', "At times, you do feel certain scenes could have been shot with a little more subtlety, but ''Pa Paandi'' has enough going for it to make you ignore these gripes and enjoy this unusual little film".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |author-link=Sowmya Rajendran |date=14 April 2017 |title=Review: 'Pa Paandi' is an unusual must watch film about an old man's quest |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/review-pa-paandi-unusual-must-watch-film-about-old-man-s-quest-60350 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20250309120347/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/review-pa-paandi-unusual-must-watch-film-about-old-man-s-quest-60350 |archive-date=9 March 2025 |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=[[The News Minute]] |language=en}}</ref> Srivatsan of ''[[India Today]]'' wrote, "Barring its flaws, ''Pa Paandi'' is full of positivity. This better not be Dhanush's best work, as a director".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srivatsan |date=15 April 2017 |title=Pa Paandi movie review: Dhanush's directorial debut is high on emotions |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/pa-paandi-movie-review-dhanush-rajkiran-revathi-prasanna-971561-2017-04-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417114145/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/pa-paandi-movie-review-dhanush-rajkiran-revathi-prasanna/1/929615.html |archive-date=17 April 2017 |access-date=9 March 2025 |website=[[India Today]] |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

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

{{Wunderbar Films}}
{{Dhanush}}

[[Category:2017 comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2017 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2017 films]]
[[Category:2017 Indian films]]
[[Category:2017 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films about old age]]
[[Category:Films about stunt performers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Dhanush]]
[[Category:Films produced by Dhanush]]
[[Category:Films scored by Sean Roldan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Hyderabad, India]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Dhanush]]
[[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Pa. Pandi - Revision history

Leonuqs: starting a page