Sundarapandian

{{Short description|2012 Tamil comedy drama film}}

{{for|the 1998 film|Sundara Pandian}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}

{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}

{{Infobox film

| image = Sundarapandian poster.jpg

| caption = Theatrical release poster

| director = S. R. Prabhakaran

| producer = M. Sasikumar

| writer = S. R. Prabhakaran

| starring = {{unbulleted list|M. Sasikumar|Lakshmi Menon|Vijay Sethupathi}}

| music = N. R. Raghunanthan

| cinematography = Premkumar Chandran

| editing = Biju V. Don Bosco

| studio = Company Production

| distributor =

| released = {{Film date|2012|09|14|df=y}}

| runtime = 182 minutes

| country = Indian

| language = Tamil

}}

Sundarapandian is a 2012 Indian Tamil-language action comedy drama film written and directed by S. R. Prabhakaran in his debut, and produced by M. Sasikumar. The film stars Sasikumar and Lakshmi Menon, while Vijay Sethupathi, Inigo Prabhakaran, Soori, Appukutty, and Soundararaja appear in supporting roles. Music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan, while cinematography was handled by Premkumar Chandran. The film was released on 14 September 2012 and became a commercial success. It was remade in Kannada as Raja Huli (2013){{Cite news |date=30 July 2013 |title=After Kannada, Sundarapandian gets Telugu remake |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/after-kannada-sundarapandian-gets-telugu-remake/articleshow/21479824.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331093915/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news/After-Kannada-Sundarapandian-gets-Telugu-remake/articleshow/21479824.cms |archive-date=31 March 2017 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Times of India}} and in Telugu as Speedunnodu (2016).{{Cite news |last=Chowdhary |first=Y. Sunita |date=5 February 2016 |title=Speedunnodu review: In need of speed limit |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/speedunnodu-in-need-of-speed-limit/article8198278.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202172344/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/speedunnodu-in-need-of-speed-limit/article8198278.ece |archive-date=2 December 2021 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}

Plot

In Kandamanoor, near Theni, Sundarapandian is the only son of Raghupathi, a landlord and village head. Sundarapandian's close friend Arivazhagan "Arivu", after failing his board exams twice, is now in his final year of college, falls in love with Archana from a nearby village, who commutes daily on the bus from Madurai to Theni. Arivu is too timid to express his feelings and seeks Sundarapandian and Murgesan's assistance in confessing his love.

Sundarapandian, Murugesan, and Arivu commute on the same bus as Archana. Bhuvaneshwaran "Bhuvanesh", who also travels on the bus, tries to propose to Archana, leading to a clash with Arivu. Sundarapandian gives Bhuvanesh 31 days to win Archana's heart, however, he fails, giving Arivu again a chance. But a surprising twist emerges: Sundarapandian had proposed to Archana three years ago while he was in college and was rejected. Encouraged by Arivu, Sundarapandian decides to propose again, but Archana unexpectedly proposes to Sundarapandian, revealing she's had feelings for him all along. Arivu steps aside, and Sundarapandian accepts Archana's proposal. However, Archana's parents want her to marry their relative Jegan, despite her disinterest.

Archana asks Sundarapandian to give her space during her exams. Bhuvanesh takes advantage of this and harasses Archana on the bus. Sundarapandian intervenes, but Bhuvanesh continues to cause trouble. In a violent confrontation, Bhuvanesh is pushed out of the moving bus and dies. Sundarapandian is arrested, but released on bail as it's deemed an accident. Sundarapandian's father, Raghupathi, takes care of Bhuvanesh's family. However, Bhuvanesh's friends vow to take revenge on Sundarapandian, while Paranjothi secretly harbours anger towards him. Raghupathi convinces Archana's father Pandi to accept his marriage proposal between Archana and Sundarapandian. Jegan is furious about the upcoming wedding and discovers that Sundarapandian is his old college friend. Jegan decides to kill Sundarapandian, and Paranjothi agrees to help. Paranjothi tricks Sundarapandian into meeting Jegan, claiming he's become a drunkard. Sundarapandian decides to help Jegan, unaware of the danger. Arivu accompanies Sundarapandian to the meeting, oblivious to the planned ambush.

Sundarapandian meets Jegan in the outskirts of town and tries to reason with him. However, Jegan and Paranjothi attack Sundarapandian. In a shocking turn, Arivu stabs Sundarapandian, revealing his hidden vengeance. Sundarapandian fights back, confronting Jegan, Arivu, and Paranjothi. He scolds Jegan for trying to force Archana into marriage, despite knowing that she is in love with him. Sundarapandian also exposes Paranjothi's betrayal, revealing that he had sent thugs to kill him. Moreover, he reveals that Arivu was the one who killed Bhuvanesh, not him. Sundarapandian had taken the blame to protect Arivu. Heartbroken, Sundarapandian leaves, lamenting the loss of his closest friends.

Sundarapandian and Archana tie the knot. The film concludes with Sundarapandian choosing to keep the betrayal by his friends a secret, instead opting to quietly end their friendships.

Cast

{{cast listing|

}}

Production

Sundarapandian is the directorial debut of Prabhakaran, previously an assistant director under Sasikumar; the latter produced the film and also plays the lead role.{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=8 September 2012 |title=The S Man |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-s-man/article3874124.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250222065216/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/the-s-man/article3874124.ece |archive-date=22 February 2025 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}} Prabhakaran cast Lakshmi Menon as the lead actress after being impressed with her performance in Kumki.{{cite news |last1=Manigandan |first1=K. R. |date=1 September 2012 |title=A balancing act |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-balancing-act/article3848337.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226090258/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/a-balancing-act/article3848337.ece |archive-date=26 December 2024 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=The Hindu |language=en}}

Soundtrack

The music was composed by N. R. Raghunanthan.{{Cite web |date=21 July 2012 |title=Raghunanthan's hands are full now |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-21/news-interviews/32765473_1_sasikumar-second-film-national-award |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101172023/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-07-21/news-interviews/32765473_1_sasikumar-second-film-national-award |archive-date=1 January 2014 |access-date=21 July 2012 |website=The Times of India}} The audio was released by Bala and received by Muthaiya and Socrates, two assistant directors of Sasikumar.{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=1 September 2012 |title=Audio Beat: Sundarapandian |url=http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3848296.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001232854/http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article3848296.ece |archive-date=1 October 2012 |access-date=5 September 2012 |website=The Hindu}}

{{Track listing

| headline = Track listing

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Kadhal Vandhu

| extra1 = Haricharan

| lyrics1 = Na. Muthukumar

| length1 =

| title2 = Kondaadum Manasu

| extra2 = Anand Aravindakshan

| length2 =

| lyrics2 = Mohan Rajan

| title3 = Rekkai Mulaiththen

| extra3 = G. V. Prakash Kumar, Shreya Ghoshal

| lyrics3 = Madhan Karky

| length3 =

| title4 = Nenjukkulle

| extra4 = Saindhavi

| length4 =

| lyrics4 = Thamarai

}}

Critical reception

N. Venkateswaran from The Times of India gave it 3.5 out of 5 and called it a "clean family entertainer". The reviewer wrote that "the racy script, easy flowing dialogues and the twists he introduces in the screenplay to take it off the beaten path are commendable" and added that "one more student has passed out with flying colours from the Sasikumar school of cinema".{{Cite news |last=Venkateswaran |first=N |date=16 September 2012 |title=Sundarapandian |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Sundarapandian/movie-review/16478385.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130802171809/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/movie-reviews/Sundarapandian/movie-review/16478385.cms |archive-date=2 August 2013 |access-date=8 October 2012 |work=The Times of India}} Vivek Ramz of In.com wrote "Sundarapandiyan is a well made commercial flick with right dose of comedy, sentiment and thrill".{{Cite web |last=Ramz |first=Vivek |date=15 September 2012 |title=Sundarapandiyan is a neat entertainer! |url=http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/sundarapandiyan-is-a-neat-entertainer-50135025-in-1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918235848/http://www.in.com/news/entertainment/sundarapandiyan-is-a-neat-entertainer-50135025-in-1.html |archive-date=18 September 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |website=In.com}} IBNLive claimed that the film was a "honest attempt. Prabhakar does his best and make it an interesting watch thanks to Sasikumar".{{Cite web |date=15 September 2012 |title=Tamil Review: 'Sundara Pandian' is watchable |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-sundara-pandian-is-watchable/291788-71-178.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120928180141/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/tamil-review-sundara-pandian-is-watchable/291788-71-178.html |archive-date=28 September 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |website=IBNLive}} A critic from Sify wrote that debutant director SR Prabhakaran made "a confident debut with a film that is both respectable and engaging"{{Cite web |title=Sundarapandian |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/sundarapandian-review-tamil-15007705.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131024100236/http://www.sify.com/movies/sundarapandian-review-tamil-15007705.html |archive-date=24 October 2013 |access-date=8 October 2012 |website=Sify}} Anupama Subramanian from Deccan Chronicle described it as an "honest attempt from Prabhakaran which is engaging family fare", while noting that "Sasi[kumar]'s touches [were] seen till [the] climax".{{Cite web |last=Subramanian |first=Anupama |date=16 September 2012 |title=Sundarapandian review: Sasi's touches seen till climax |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/movie-reviews/sundarapandian-review-sasi%E2%80%99s-touches-seen-till-climax-250 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121029030340/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/showbiz/movie-reviews/sundarapandian-review-sasi%E2%80%99s-touches-seen-till-climax-250 |archive-date=29 October 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |website=Deccan Chronicle}} Similarly, Zee News termed the film a "satisfying wholesome entertainer".{{Cite web |date=15 September 2012 |title='Sundarapandian' Review: A satisfying wholesome entertainer |url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/sundarapandian-review-a-satisfying-wholesome-entertainer_119160.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240327054602/https://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/sundarapandian-review-a-satisfying-wholesome-entertainer_119160.html |archive-date=27 March 2024 |access-date=8 October 2012 |website=Zee News}}

Accolades

class="wikitable"

|+

EventCategoryRecipient(s)Verdict{{abbr|Ref.|References}}
rowspan="3" | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards

| Best Actress

| Lakshmi Menon

| {{won}}

| rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web |date=14 July 2017 |title=Tamil Nadu announces the State Film Awards for six consecutive years in surprise move. Here's the complete list of winners |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tamil-nadu-announces-the-state-film-awards-for-six-consecutive-years-in-surprise-movie-heres-the-complete-list-of-winners-4750350/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031172117/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tamil-nadu-announces-the-state-film-awards-for-six-consecutive-years-in-surprise-movie-heres-the-complete-list-of-winners-4750350/ |archive-date=31 October 2018 |access-date=31 October 2018 |website=The Indian Express}}

Best Villain

| Vijay Sethupathi

| {{won}}

Best Screenplay Writer

| S. R. Prabhakaran

| {{won}}

rowspan="2" | 60th Filmfare Awards South

| Best Film – Tamil

| Sundarapandian

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |date=4 July 2013 |title=60th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013 (South) Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/60th-idea-filmfare-awards-2013-south-nominations-3603.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250203133737/https://www.filmfare.com/features/60th-idea-filmfare-awards-2013-south-nominations-3603.html |archive-date=3 February 2025 |access-date=15 February 2025 |website=Filmfare |language=en}}

Best Director – Tamil

| S. R. Prabhakaran

| {{nom}}

rowspan="5" | 2nd South Indian International Movie Awards

| Best Film

| Sundarapandian

| {{nom}}

| rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite web |title=Nominees |url=http://www.siima.in/nominees.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620221418/http://www.siima.in/nominees.html |archive-date=20 June 2013 |access-date=15 February 2025 |website=South Indian International Movie Awards}}
{{Cite news |date=14 September 2013 |title=SIIMA 2013 Awards winners list |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/SIIMA-2013-Awards-winners-list/articleshow/22576877.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140818235132/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/SIIMA-2013-Awards-winners-list/articleshow/22576877.cms |archive-date=18 August 2014 |access-date=15 February 2025 |work=The Times of India}}

Best Debutant Director

| S. R. Prabhakaran

| {{nom}}

Best Debutant Female

|Lakshmi Menon

|{{won}}

Best Comedian

|Soori

|{{nom}}

Best Cinematographer

|Premkumar

|{{nom}}

rowspan="7" |7th Vijay Awards

|Best Debutant Director

|S. R. Prabhakaran

|{{Nominated}}

| rowspan="7" style="text-align:center;" |{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY5eoO3MBxo |title=Vijay Awards 05/31/13 |date=31 May 2013 |publisher=Vijay Television |access-date=15 February 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.org/details/vijay-awards-31-05-13 |archive-date=25 February 2025 |url-status=dead |via=YouTube}}
{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh-_JK9nZWQ |title=Vijay Awards 06/01/13 |date=1 June 2013 |publisher=Vijay Television |access-date=15 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240407103612/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mh-_JK9nZWQ |archive-date=7 April 2024 |url-status=dead |via=YouTube}}

Best Debutant Actress

|Lakshmi Menon

|{{Nominated}}

Best Supporting Actor

|Aadukalam Naren

|{{nom}}

Best Comedian

|Soori

|{{nom}}

Face of the Year

|Lakshmi Menon

|{{nom}}

Favourite Hero

|M. Sasikumar

|{{nom}}

Favourite Film

|Sundarapandian

|{{nom}}

Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards

|Best Debutant Actress

|Lakshmi Menon

|{{won}}

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite web |date=16 January 2013 |title=விகடன் விருதுகள் 2012 |url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/28485--2 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323171604/https://cinema.vikatan.com/28485--2 |archive-date=23 March 2023 |access-date=15 February 2025 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}

References

{{Reflist}}