Thenavattu (2008)

In the evocative opening of Thenavattu, Kailasam (Ravi Kale), a foreboding figure of power, is immersed in the solemnity of a last rites ceremony. Suddenly, the scene is disrupted by Kottai (Jiiva), whose wild appearance at the riotous Koovagam festival and his frenzied scythe-swinging on a Veeranam pipe provide a thrilling foreshadowing of the story to follow. Rewind a few months prior in Madurai, where Kottai's mother (Saranya Ponvannan), a hardworking woodcutter, extols her son's virtues, convinced he's destined for greatness beyond their humble life. Propelled by his mother's faith, Kottai embarks on a journey to the intimidating metropolis of Chennai, accompanied by the boisterous Vellaiyan (Kanja Karuppu), a man with an insatiable appetite for dance and humor, albeit with a singular focus. The duo naively find themselves at the formidable residence of Kailasam, a notorious local brute with a horrifying penchant for violence. Misinterpreting Kailasam's deadly deeds as mere tree-cutting, the oblivious pair offer their woodcraft services, setting Kottai on an unsuspecting path of destiny. Kottai's inherent goodness shines through as he attends to the needy, comforts crying children, and finds himself irresistibly drawn to the enchanting Gayatri (Poonam Bajwa), a virtuous beauty who teaches music and captures his heart with her familial kindness. Alongside this narrative runs the grim subplot of Santhosh, Kailasam's villainous son, who commits heinous acts of assault while spewing confident catchphrases. The film also introduces a grossly inept minister (Rajan P. Dev) and Surya Prakash (Saikumar), a stoic police officer seeking revenge on Kailasam for his sister's tragic demise. As the narrative unfolds, the characters' lives are set on a collision course. While Santhosh continues his reign of terror, Surya Prakash remains a silent sentinel, and Kottai, oblivious to the imminent danger, continues his craft and his newfound love, setting the stage for a riveting climax.

Thenavattu is an action movie featuring Delhi Ganesh and directed by V. V. Kathir.

Thenavattu is currently streaming on Eros Now and Sun Nxt.