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{{Short description|2017 Indian Tamil vigilante drama film}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Thondan
| image = Thondan poster.jpg
| director = [[Samuthirakani]]
| producer = R. Manikandan
| writer = Samuthirakani
| starring = Samuthirakani [[Vikranth]] [[Sunaina]] [[Arthana Binu]] Gouri Nair [[Namo Narayana]]
| music = [[Justin Prabhakaran]]
| cinematography = [[N. K. Ekambaram]] [[Richard M. Nathan]]
| editing = [[A. L. Ramesh]]
| studio = Vasundara Devi Cine Films
| distributor = Vasundara Devi Cine Films
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2017|05|26}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| gross =
}}
'''''Thondan''''' ({{Translation|Votary}}) is a 2017 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[vigilante film|vigilante]] [[action drama film]] written and directed by [[Samuthirakani]]. The film stars Samuthirakani himself, with [[Vikranth]], [[Sunaina]], [[Arthana Binu]], Gouri Nair, and [[Namo Narayana]] amongst others in pivotal roles. The music is composed by [[Justin Prabhakaran]] with editing by [[A. L. Ramesh]]. The venture began production in December 2016 and had a theatrical release on 26 May 2017.

== Plot ==
Narayanan is the son of State Minister Pandiyanar in [[Vellore]]. Narayanan has been using his father's name and influence, to make money by corruption much to the latter's dismay. Although Pandiyanar has been an MLA and minister for only three years, Narayanan has amassed a huge fortune and industrial empire by unsavoury means. One day, some goons try to kill a man in daylight, as instructed by Narayanan. The man is lying in a pool of blood, and a local person witnesses this and calls an ambulance. The ambulance driver is Maha Vishnu, a kindhearted man who takes pride in the fact that he has never let anyone die on the way to the hospital in his ambulance. Vishnu admits the man in the hospital, and he is saved. Narayanan is angry with Vishnu for saving his enemy, for which he replies that saving the lives of people is his duty.

Vishnu is married to Bagalamugi. He has a father and sister Mahishasuramardini. The latter is stalked by Vicky, a drunkard and jobless youth who happens to be a friend of Vishnu. Vishnu convinces Vicky to reform and attend the medical technician course. Vicky completes it successfully and saves people's lives, earning the love of Vishnu and his family. Mahi has a friend named Gowri, who is stalked by Narayanan's brother Chinna Pandi, and she beats him in a bus. Insulted by this, Chinna Pandi beats Gowri up with a wooden log. Enraged, Mahi and the students kill him. Vishnu arrives with his ambulance to admit Chinna Pandi to the hospital. To avoid traffic, he takes the outer bypass, infuriating Narayanan. Chinna Pandi succumbs to the injury. Narayanan blames Vishnu for this and beats him up, but he is saved by the public. Narayanan vows to kill Vishnu.

Vishnu gets mad after his father loses his hearing ability and his wife suffers a miscarriage. Deeply saddened by this, he confronts Narayanan, who pleads that he is innocent. Vishnu believes that being a common man, he cannot do anything against a powerful man who has political support. Narayanan has constantly bribed local police Inspector Uthaman and various government officials and has them under his control. Vishnu is helped by Sub-Inspector Rahman. Vishnu plans to destroy Narayanan and bring him to justice. He is covertly invited to join by the ruling party by the District secretary, who despite being an [[Member of the Legislative Assembly|MLA]], had been not made a minister because Pandianar's caste has more votes in their district. Vishnu declines, and proceeds by himself. He gathers all the details of the properties owned by Narayanan and a video footage of him insulting Uthaman and the government officials while bribing from Narayanan's auditor, who helps Vishnu because he once saved his wife's life. Vishnu realizes that Narayanan used Pandiyanar's name to earn huge amounts of money and buy so many properties by corruption. Vishnu sends the evidences them to IT, Vigilance, and other departments. He also sends the video footage to Uthaman's wife and the government officials' wives, who lose respect among their family. Uthaman and the government officials decide to stop supporting Narayanan for his further actions.

The IT department raids Narayanan's house, confiscates all of his belongings, and arrests him. Pandiyanar is sacked from the State cabinet, and woes in despair. Narayanan is goaded to escape from the hospital, through the info that the State govt is planning his suicide to repair damage, and he is chased by the Police. He evades them temporarily, but meets with an accident in town center. While he is struggling, Vishnu comes with his ambulance and saves him.

== Cast ==
{{colbegin}}
* [[Samuthirakani]] as Maha Vishnu, an ambulance driver
* [[Vikranth]] as Vicky, Vishnu's friend and Mahi's love interest
* [[Sunaina]] as Bagalamugi, Vishnu's wife
* [[Arthana Binu]] as Mahishasuramardini (Mahi), Vishnu's sister and Vicky's love interest
* [[Gouri Nair]] as Gowri, Mahi's friend
* [[Namo Narayana]] as Narayanan, the main antagonist
* [[Ganja Karuppu]] as Xavier, Vishnu's assistant
* [[Vela Ramamoorthy]] as Vishnu and Mahi's father
* [[Anil Murali]] as Inspector Uthaman, a bribe victim of Narayanan
* Poraali Dileepan as Sub-Inspector Rahman, Vishnu's friend
* [[G. Gnanasambandam]] as Pandiyanar, Narayanan's father
* [[Soundararaja]] as Chinna Pandi, Narayanan's brother and Mahi's stalker
* [[Badava Gopi]] as Unnmai TV Reporter Aryabhatham
* [[Naadodigal Gopal]] as Sikkal Shanmugasundaram, Bagalamugi's father
* Indrani as Pandiyanar's wife
* Nasath as Vaikuntham, Bagalamugi's younger brother
* [[A. Govindamoorthy|Pichaikkaran Moorthy]]
* [[Nithya Ravindran]]
* Baboos
* V. Murugavel
* [[Soori (actor)|Soori]] as "Ilaikadai" Ramar (guest appearance)
* [[Thambi Ramaiah]] as Income Tax Officer (guest appearance)
{{colend}}

== Production ==
In May 2016, [[Samuthirakani]] revealed that he was set to work with [[Jayam Ravi]] for the second time after [[Nimirndhu Nil]] on a project titled ''Thondan'', using a script that he had initially written for [[M. Sasikumar|Sasikumar]]. He stated that production would begin by the end of the year, with [[Allari Naresh]] also selected to play a role.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/planning-a-film-with-jayam-ravi-samuthirakani-2897127/ |title=Planning a film with Jayam Ravi: Samuthirakani |date=6 July 2016 |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020122129/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/planning-a-film-with-jayam-ravi-samuthirakani-2897127/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/jayam-ravis-next-film-with-samuthirakani-has-been-titled-as-thondan.html |title=Jayam Ravi's next film with Samuthirakani has been titled as Thondan |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=13 December 2016 |archive-date=6 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206005937/http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/jayam-ravis-next-film-with-samuthirakani-has-been-titled-as-thondan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> However Jayam Ravi's busy schedule during 2016 and 2017 meant that the pair could not eventually work together.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Planning-a-film-with-Jayam-Ravi-Samuthirakani/article14474401.ece |title=Planning a film with Jayam Ravi: Samuthirakani |work=The Hindu |date=6 July 2016 |via=www.thehindu.com |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=21 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220121042854/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Planning-a-film-with-Jayam-Ravi-Samuthirakani/article14474401.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>

The film re-materialised during December 2016, with [[Vikranth]] signed on to portray the role originally assigned to Naresh, while Samuthirakani himself would play the lead role. Vikranth revealed that he would star in the project alongside commitments to work in [[Suseenthiran]]'s ventures ''[[Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu 2]]'' and ''[[Nenjil Thunivirundhal]]''. Samuthirakani stated the film would be about "simple men, their lives, problems and pain" and "these are people who provide a service to the society; they might earn a less salaries, but they definitely get more satisfaction out of life".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Samuthirakani-An-ambulance-driver/articleshow/55911045.cms |title=Samuthirakani: An ambulance driver |website=The Times of India |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=4 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404003900/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Samuthirakani-An-ambulance-driver/articleshow/55911045.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He added that the film would tackle several social issues in India including [[2016 Indian banknote demonetisation|demonetisation]], [[Disproportionate assets case against Jayalalithaa|corruption in politics]], [[Farmers' suicides in India|the farmers' plight]], [[2017 pro-jallikattu protests|jallikattu]] and the harassment of women.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/content/612647/samuthirakani-his-finest-work-till.html |title=Samuthirakani, on his finest work till date |date=20 May 2017 |website=Deccan Herald |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020122126/https://www.deccanherald.com/content/612647/samuthirakani-his-finest-work-till.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/070417/thondan-is-not-a-political-film-samuthirakani.html |title=Thondan is not a political film: Samuthirakani |first=Anupama |last=Subramanian |date=7 April 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191020124958/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/070417/thondan-is-not-a-political-film-samuthirakani.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Production began during early December 2016, with [[Sunaina]] added to the cast after Samuthirakani was impressed with her performance in ''[[Neerparavai]]'' (2012).<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/sunaina-joins-the-cast-of-samuthirakanis-thondan-with-vikranth.html |title=Sunaina joins the cast of Samuthirakani's Thondan with Vikranth |date=17 December 2016 |website=Behindwoods |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=30 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200130223526/https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/sunaina-joins-the-cast-of-samuthirakanis-thondan-with-vikranth.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/samuthirakani-not-only-in-cinema-harassment-against-women-happens-everywhere-news-tamil-rfxjPxehebdhj.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170524031602/http://www.sify.com/movies/samuthirakani-not-only-in-cinema-harassment-against-women-happens-everywhere-news-tamil-rfxjPxehebdhj.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 May 2017 |title=Samuthirakani: Not only in cinema, harassment against women happens everywhere |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Thondan
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[Justin Prabhakaran]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 9 April 2017
| recorded = 2016–17
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = 18:38
| language = Tamil
| label = [[U1 Records]]
| producer = Justin Prabhakaran
| prev_title = [[Kaalakkoothu]]
| prev_year = 2017
| next_title = [[Oru Nalla Naal Paathu Solren]]
| next_year = 2018
}}
The film's music was composed by [[Justin Prabhakaran]] and featured five songs. The album was released on 9 April 2017 through [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]]'s [[U1 Records]] label.

{{track listing
| headline = Track list
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| lyrics_Credits = yes
| total_length = 18:38
| title1 = Thondan Thondan
| lyrics1 = [[Yugabharathi]]
| extra1 = [[Diwakar]]
| length1 = 3:13
| title2 = Chellakutti Joraa
| lyrics2 = [[Vivek (lyricist)|Vivek]]
| extra2 = [[Justin Prabhakaran]], Prashanthini
| length2 = 3:25
| title3 = Poi Varavaa
| lyrics3 = Yugabharathi
| extra3 = [[Sean Roldan]]
| length3 = 4:31
| title4 = Ettoorum Kekkum
| lyrics4 = Yugabharathi
| extra4 = Pradeep Kumar
| length4 = 4:08
| title5 = Vaasamulla Poovaa
| lyrics5 = Yugabharathi
| extra5 = [[Vaikom Vijayalakshmi]], Daya Bijibal
| length5 = 3:21
}}

== Release ==
The film had a theatrical release across Tamil Nadu on 26 May 2017, alongside [[Radha Mohan]]'s ''[[Brindavanam (2017 film)|Brindavanam]]'', and earned mixed to negative reviews. The satellite rights of the film were sold to [[Zee Tamil]]. Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote "All of which would be okay...if there was a grain of good filmmaking. But the utterly generic bring-down-the-bad-guy story is preposterous, and scenes go on and on."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/reviews/thondan-movie-review |title=Thondan Movie Review – Film Companion |date=2 June 2017 }}</ref>

==Reception==
Anupama Subramaniam of the [[Deccan Chronicle]] wrote ''Thondan'' is an "interesting film sans entertainment values" and "all is well and good, but things do become a bit self-righteous and annoying when a fictional film begins to give you lessons on ethics and morality".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/270517/thondon-movie-review-interesting-film-sans-entertainment-values.html |title=Thondon movie review: Interesting film sans entertainment values |first=Anupama |last=Subramanian |date=27 May 2017 |website=Deccan Chronicle |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324065104/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/270517/thondon-movie-review-interesting-film-sans-entertainment-values.html |url-status=live }}</ref> India Today's review stated that "''Thondan'' is Samuthirakani's [[TED (conference)|TED Talk]] in Tamil that runs for more than two hours", adding that it is "an uninteresting social commentary".<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/thodan-movie-review-samuthirakani-vikranth-santhosh-sunaina-979602-2017-05-28 |title=Thondan movie review: An unrealistic film with lots of 'messages' |author=Srivatsan |date=May 28, 2017 |magazine=India Today |access-date=21 August 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821223129/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/thodan-movie-review-samuthirakani-vikranth-santhosh-sunaina-979602-2017-05-28 |url-status=live }}</ref> On a positive note, film critic Santhosh Mathevan wrote, "Kani documents a lot of true events, and he also comes out with some real time and cinematic references in his screenplay." He also criticised, "Usually, the mercury level of preaching would always touch the peak of thermometer in every of Kani's movie. But, ''Thondan'' has let the mercury bulb burst, as the film seems to be a 138 minute-tight-pack of loads of moral values to teach."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.santhoshmathevan.com/2017/05/thondan-he-serves-too-much-for-community.html |title=Thondan: He serves too much for the community |website=www.santhoshmathevan.com |access-date=21 August 2018 |archive-date=21 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821124731/https://www.santhoshmathevan.com/2017/05/thondan-he-serves-too-much-for-community.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Sify.com stated the film was "filled with a plethora of messages in an over preachy tone".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/thondan-review-old-fashioned--preachy-review-tamil-rf0jQzaajadcg.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170526184959/http://www.sify.com/movies/thondan-review-old-fashioned--preachy-review-tamil-rf0jQzaajadcg.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 May 2017 |title=Thondan review: Old fashioned & Preachy |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> A critic from ''The New Indian Express'' wrote the film was "a basket of moral lectures", concluding "''Thondan'' is what you feared would happen once ''[[Appa (2016 film)|Appa]]'' (2016) did as well as it did".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2017/may/26/thondan-movie-review-a-big-basket-of-moral-lectures-1609389.html |title=Thondan movie review: A big basket of moral lectures |website=The New Indian Express |access-date=24 March 2020 |archive-date=24 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200324065100/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2017/may/26/thondan-movie-review-a-big-basket-of-moral-lectures-1609389.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Baradwaj Rangan]] rated the film 1 out of 5 and wrote, "As expected, actor and director Samuthirakani, delivers yet another sermon disguised as a movie".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/article/thondan-movie-review |title=Thondan Movie Review |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |authorlink=Baradwaj Rangan |date=2 June 2017 |publisher=Film Companion |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=7 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170907035636/http://www.filmcompanion.in/article/thondan-movie-review |url-status=live }}</ref> The film took a lukewarm opening at the Chennai box office and fared averagely commercially.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|6763794}}

{{Samuthirakani}}
[[Category:2017 Indian films]]
[[Category:2017 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:2010s vigilante films]]
[[Category:2017 drama films]]
[[Category:2017 films]]
[[Category:Films about social issues in India]]
[[Category:Films directed by P. Samuthirakani]]
[[Category:Films scored by Justin Prabhakaran]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Thondan (2017 film) - Revision history

NickiStpierre68: new new details added tags