User Reviews

Actor-director Sasikumar's directorial debut Subramaniapuram became a landmark film in Tamil cinema for all the right reasons. It's one of the extremely rare instances where a film won both critically and commercially. Made on a very small budget, 'Subramaniapuram' went on to fetch enough moolah for the producers.

Set in Madurai, 'Subramaniapuram' tells the story of a bunch of vagabonds who eventually become a pawn in the game of money and power. Apart from the politics, Subramaniapuram also gives focus to friendship and loyalty, which also forms the theme of the story. What's surprising even today is how Sasikumar managed to create the 1980s setting so beautifully in 'Subramaniapuram'. In the sense that every character we meet is so real and vulnerable in their own sense. In an interview sometime back, Bollywood filmmaker Anurag Kashyap revealed that it was 'Subramaniapuram' that inspired him to make 'Gangs of Wasseypur', which won the hearts of the global audience. Needless to say, it all began with 'Subramaniapuram'.

Unlike many Tamil films of that time, Sasikumar didn't succumb to the pressure of "mass" audience. In other words, Sasikumar stayed true to the genre and didn't pay heed to the commercial compromises such as item songs and needless romance. More than anything, it's Sasikumar conviction that paved the way for the success. 'Subramaniapuram' is a glowing example that content is invariably the king and not the stars. Every department, be it direction, sound or edit was highly praised to reconstruct the episode that happens in the '80s. One of the most hard-hitting scenes of 'Subramaniapuram' is the last 20 minutes or so, which turned out to be one of the best-written climax scenes ever.

When Sasikumar made 'Subramaniapuram', none of the actors were such prominent names as they are today. Telling the story of an unabashed friendship, the film had Sasikumar and Jai playing the lead roles, while actress Swathi played the leading lady. Even after all these years, 'Subramaniapuram' is widely known for the performances of actors Samuthirakani and Ganja Karuppu, who played a negative role in the film. Particularly, the character Kanugu, played by Samuthirakani, was well-received by fans, after which Samuthirakani played several such roles in films. The biggest strength of 'Subramaniapuram' was that it had actors playing rooted characters and not stars.

Overall, A great movie to watch despite its violence and gore, the movie is so authentic, it is almost impossible to find another Tamil movie in comparison to Subramaniapuram that is as authentic. A movie that depicts friendship and love like no other, combined with the dirty side of small town political affiliations. Definitely among the best Tamil movies ever produced, 8.7 stars out of 10 for sheer craft. Arguably the best Tamil movie ever produced.