Thondan review: Samuthirakani's film highlights societal problems, offers solutions

Actor-director Samuthirakani has always made films with a sense of social responsibility and Thondan is a film that reiterates this fact.

In Thondan, Samuthirakani tells a gripping tale of an honest ambulance driver who is forced to take on a corrupt politician. While doing so, Samuthirakani cleverly highlights societal problems like eve-teasing and corruption.

Interestingly, Thondan does not stop with highlighting societal problems but also suggests simple solutions that can play a great role in reducing these problems.

Maha Vishnu (Samuthirakani) is an ambulance driver and paramedic who derives great satisfaction in doing his duty with dedication. He lives with his sister Mahishasooraparthini (Arthana) and dad Kuladeivam (Vela Ramamurthy) in a small town of the state.

Vignesh, an acquaintance of Vishnu, develops a special liking for Vishnu’s sister Mahishasooraparthini. He makes his intentions clear to her, but she isn’t interested in his proposal and turns down his advances.

A disappointed Vignesh refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer and, thanks to some bad advice by peers, takes to drinking and stalking. Initially, Vishnu and his dad choose to ignore Mahisha’s complaints against Vignesh. However, one day Vignesh and his friend Chinna Pandi (Soundararajan), in an inebriated state, stalk Mahisha and her friend on their way to college. In the bus, Chinna Pandi tries to molest Mahisha’s friend, who hits back.

Vishnu decides to intervene after this incident. He explains to Vignesh the difficulties his actions have caused to the women and their families. Vignesh listens to reason and chooses to give up his earlier ways. Vishnu decides to send him for paramedic training to another town and Vignesh gladly takes up the opportunity.

Meanwhile, Vishnu marries his girlfriend Bagazhmugi (Sunainaa) while Vignesh turns over a new leaf as a paramedic. However, his friend Chinna Pandi refuses to give in. Days pass, but the anger caused by the insult does not wane. In fact, it turns to rage.

So, one day, Chinna Pandi, who belongs to the family of corrupt and powerful politician Mandiri Narayanan (Namo Narayanan), walks into the girls’ college and clobbers the young woman, who had insulted him, with a log. Initially, the other girls are stunned by this brazen act. However, they soon gather their wits and beat Chinna Pandi to a pulp in the classroom. Eventually, the police arrive and Chinna Pandi has to be rushed to hospital.

Incidentally, the ambulance team that is called in to take Chinna Pandi to the hospital is the one headed by Vishnu.   

Despite Vishnu’s best efforts, Chinna Pandi cannot be saved. He is declared brought dead by the time the ambulance reaches the hospital. To add to Vishnu’s troubles, one of Mandiri Narayanan’s henchmen levels an allegation against Vishnu saying that it was the driver of the ambulance who actually killed Chinna Pandi by deliberately opting for a roundabout route to the hospital.  

Vishnu’s world comes crashing down. The politician, after making his henchmen give a sound thrashing to Vishnu, also goes on to file a complaint against the sincere pilot with a senior police officer, known for his corrupt practices. Soon, more problems follow. How Vishnu deals with this problem, legally and without resorting to violence is what the story is all about.

Samuthirakani looks at his film as a means to bring about social change and it is to this effect that he uses them. Thondan, although preachy at times, does create a social awareness about some crucial societal problems.

A good story needs to be backed by good acting and actors. Thondan seems to have that as well. Samuthirakani himself as Vishnu does such a fine job that viewers are able treat his story as their very own. They feel enraged when wronged by the politician and partake in his happiness when he delights in righting a wrong. Directing a film by itself is a tremendous challenge.  Samuthirakani has not only directed but has also played the lead so convincingly that he deserves extra brownie points for doing both duties simultaneously.

Sunainaa, as Samuthirakani's wife, is tailor-made for the role. She does a neat job without even having to sweat a brow.

Vikranth as Vignesh does a neat job as does newcomer Arthana. Her role as Samuthirakani’s sister is a meaty one and Arthana makes complete use of it. Soori scores in this film too with his wit and timing.

Soundararajan, as the drunk boy who clobbers a girl unconscious in her classroom, makes quite a powerful impact with his impressive performance in this film. The anger his act triggers is just proof of how good a performer he is. The young actor looks really promising.

Vela Ramamurthy, Thambi Ramaiah, Ganja Karuppu and Namo Narayanan play their parts to perfection.

On the whole, Thondan can teach you a thing or two about social behaviour and responsibility if you don’t mind the lecture!