Jun 26, 2022
Thavamai Thavamirundhu (transl. With much penance) is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Cheran. The film stars Rajkiran, himself and Padmapriya with Saranya, Senthil Kumar, and Meenal portraying supporting roles. The music was... composed by the duo Sabesh–Murali with cinematography by M. S. Prabhu and editing by B. Lenin. The film released on 2 December 2005.

The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. At 275 minutes, it is the second longest Indian film by runtime.[1]

Plot
The movie begins with Muthaiah being admitted into the hospital due to a serious head injury. The incident that led to the injury is kept in suspense for the audience.

The story is narrated by Muthaiah's second son Ramalingam, when he comes to visit his father in the hospital. Overcome by emotions, he recollects, along his trip, bits and pieces of memories from his younger days with his father.

The first part of the story is about how Muthaiah, a father in a lower-middle-class family, struggles to raise his children. Muthaiah runs a printing press and works really hard to make ends meet, but he still has to borrow money from the exploitive local moneylenders to give his sons a good education. There is a scene where the children are eagerly expecting their father to return home with gifts during festive season, and the father encounters a setback in the cash flow in his business, and yet seizes an opportunity to make some money by working throughout the night. This scene encapsulates the sacrifices the father makes for the happiness of his sons.

Directed by Cheran
Written by Cheran
Produced by P. Shanmugam
Starring
Rajkiran
Cheran
Padmapriya
Saranya
Senthil Kumar
Meenal
Cinematography M. S. Prabhu
Edited by B. Lenin
Music by Sabesh–Murali
Production
company
Cirussti
Release date 2 December 2005
Running time Original Cut:
275 minutes
Theatrical Cut:
204 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil


Cast
Rajkiran as Muthaiah
Cheran as Ramalingam
Padmapriya as Vasanthi Ramalingam
Saranya as Saradha
Senthil Kumar as Ramanathan
Meenal as Ramanathan's wife
Ilavarasu as Muthaiah's co-worker
Karthick V as child Ramalingam
Soundtrack
The soundtrack album is composed by the musical duo Sabesh–Murali.[2]

Track list[3]
No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length
1. "Ore Oru Oorukkulle" Snehan Sabesh, Jayakumar 5.55
2. "Unnai Saranadaindhen" Thenmozhi Prasanna, Kalyani 3.52
3. "Oru Muraidhan" Pa. Vijay Unni Menon 6.07
4. "Yenna Paarkkirai" Cheran Yugendran, Suchitra 3.58
5. "Aakkatti" SA. Perumal Jayamurthi 4.31
6. "Theme" Sarath, Madhu Balakrishnan, Sudha Ragunadhan 4.28
7. "Aavaaram Poove" Thenmozhi Madhu Balakrishnan 2.24
Total length: 29.55
Release
Critical reception
Sify wrote "Cheran has kept the flag of uncompromised cinema flying and is one of the handful of directors, whose calling card remain his artistry over the medium. Once again its time to rejoice as his latest Thavamai Thavamirundhu is brilliant and appeals as much to the mind as the heart."[4] Behindwoods wrote "This is a family story that will be liked by all especially the elders. The dialogues are also sentimental and how parents should be treated for whatever they do is highlighted by Cheran".[5]

Box office
The film grossed $120 million at the box office.[6]
Initially, the run time was four hours and thirty-five minutes. Exhibitors forced the director to trim the film to accommodate more shows per day.[7]
Awards and nominations
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress – Tamil – Saranya Ponvannan - Won
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil – Rajkiran - Won
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil - Senthil Kumar - Nominated
Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut – South – Padmapriya - Won
National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare – Thavamai Thavamirundhu - Won
Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film- Third Prize, 2005 - Won
References
"Cinema Records". Hindustan Times. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
"Thavamai Thavamirundhu", JioSaavn, retrieved 29 August 2020
"Thavamai Thavamirundu". raaga.com. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
"Thavamai Thavamirundhu review". Sify.com. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
"Tamil movie review : Thavamai Thavamirunthu". Behindwoods. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
sify.com
"Cheran trims 'TT'". Sify. 8 December 2005. Archived from the original on 17 November 2018. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
External links
Thavamai Thavamiruntu at IMDb
A review by Chennai Online
A review by Thenisai
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