Pallavan
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2018}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Pallavan
| image =
| caption =
| director = Padmamagan
| producer = Rufus Parker
| writer =
| starring = {{ubl|Manoj Bharathiraja|Rathi|Munna}}
| music = Vidyasagar
| cinematography = Lakshmi Narayanan
| editing = Pazhanivel
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|df=y|2003|2|28}}
| runtime =
| studio = Usha Theaters
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget =
| gross =
}}
Pallavan is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Padmamagan. The film stars Manoj Bharathiraja, Rathi and Munna, while Shara and Ilavarasu also appear in supporting roles. The film was released on 28 February 2003.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/interesting-fusion/article4588180.ece|title = Interesting fusion|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 6 April 2013|last1 = Kumar|first1 = S. R. Ashok}}
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Manoj Bharathiraja as Pallavan
- Rathi as Meena and Reena (dual role)
- Munna as Manohar
- Shara
- Mukesh
- Nassar
- Ilavarasu
- Abhishek Shankar
- Mayilswamy
- Vijayan
- Nalini
- Madhan Bob
- Kumarimuthu as Nallakannu
}}
Production
Directed by Padmamagan, making his first film, several new actors were cast alongside the lead duo of Manoj Bharathiraja and Rathi. Munna, a nephew of actress Jayabharathi, made his first acting appearance and was credited as Shankar, alongside Bangalore-based actress Shara and Mukesh.{{cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/24/stories/2002052401240200.htm |title=The Hindu : Moments to cherish |website=www.thehindu.com |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020621130750/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2002/05/24/stories/2002052401240200.htm |archive-date=21 June 2002 |url-status=dead}} Padmamagan signed up for the film after having previously written dialogues in the Raghava Lawrence-starrer Style and associated with producer Rufus Parker. The title of the film Padmamagan, was inspired by the name by which Chennai's state-owned city buses were known earlier and Padmamagan hoped to evoke nostalgia amongst the audience. Several scenes and songs for the film were also shot on board in the city's buses.{{Cite web|url=http://cinematoday3.itgo.com/Pallavan1.htm|title=Pallavan}}
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar, while lyrics written by Palani Bharathi.{{cite web|url=http://www.raaga.com/tamil/album/Pallavan-songs-T0000461|title=Pallavan|work=Raaga|access-date=5 October 2023}}
- "Mercury Poove" — Devan, Pop Shalini
- "Oho nu Sollu" — Tippu, Timmy
- "Saidudu Saidudu" — Karthik, Timmy
- "Emmaithal" — S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- "Ma Venuma" — Anuradha Sriram
Release
The film had a low profile release on 28 February 2003. A reviewer from Sify.com wrote "no one expects too much reality in films these days but here the plot is unrelentingly silly that you heave a sigh of relief when the film is over" and "you strive hard to find one redeeming factor in this film, which is technically slipshod with bad direction and jarring music".{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170226141207/http://www.sify.com/movies/-pallavan-review-tamil-pclu0cgebdfhh.html|work=Sify|access-date=5 October 2023|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/-pallavan-review-tamil-pclu0cgebdfhh.html|archive-date=26 February 2017|title=Pallavan}} Chennai Online wrote "[..] if you look out for something refreshing in the scripting or narration, you’ll be thoroughly disappointed. For the narration runs on stale, predictable lines, and the style is frivolous to boot".{{cite web|url=http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov256.asp|website=Chennai Online|title=Pallavan|date=9 March 2003|first=Malini|last=Mannath|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030819040635/http://www.chennaionline.com/Moviereviews/tammov256.asp|archive-date=19 August 2003}}