Not Netflix or Prime Video, Shanmugha Pandian's action film Padai Thalaivan is releasing on this OTT platform
When and where to watch Padai Thalaivan
Padai Thalaivan will begin streaming on Tentkotta from July 18. However, it won't be available for viewing by audiences in India and only accessible to those outside the country.
The OTT giant confirmed the same with a post on their X handle. They wrote 'One bond. One battle. One wild ride!#ShanmugaPandian's #Padaithalaivan storms in July 18 — with action, heart & Captain #Vijayakanth in a powerful AI cameo!.'
Official trailer and plot of Padai Thalaivan
The storyline of Padai Thalaivan narrates the life of Velu, a mahout renowned for his extreme love and affection for his elephant. One day, a corrupt priest and his men hatch a plan and steal Velu's elephant, leaving him in dismay.
Things begin to turn upside down in Velu's life, as he already has a lot of debt to his name and used to rent out his pet elephant for various events to earn some money and clear his name.
As Velu begins an uprooting search for his elephant named Manian, he is led to Odisha, where he discovers that the latter is being prepared for a ritual sacrifice by a tribal cult. He decides to transform himself from being just an innocent and naive villager to a brave hero and devises the best way to rescue Manian.
In the process, he also takes it upon himself to rescue the other oppressed villagers who are under the tyrannical rule of the powerful.
Cast and crew of Padai Thalaivan
The film stars Shanmugha Pandian, Kasthuri Raja, Yamini Chander, Munishkanth, Karudan Ram, Rishi Rithvik, A Venkatesh, Yugi Sethu, and others in key roles.
The late actor Captain Vijayakanth is featured in a special cameo appearance in the movie, made possible with the help of AI.
Padai Thalaivan is written by Parthiban Desingu, while it is directed by U Anbu. Ilaiyaraja has composed the musical score of the movie.
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The Hindu
3 days ago
- The Hindu
The fading sound of kombu
In 2020, S. Velu stood with other artistes to shoot a sequence for ace director Maniratnam's magnum opus Ponniyin Selvan. Along with troupe members, he cradled the kombu lovingly, waiting for the cue to blow it. On the word 'action', Velu lifted it to his mouth and blew. 'There is no need to blow it,' said an extra on the set. Velu and his friends stood numb. 'The sound will be replicated later with a synthesiser,' he added. Velu, a Kalaimamani Awardee, approached Maniratnam. 'Sir, this is an instrument that has been played by generations in my family. It would be disrespectful if I kept it in my mouth and acted as if I were blowing it,' he said. 'Maniratnam understood my feelings and let me play it,' Velu recalls. 'I am sure in the movie, the synthesiser had the honour of playing this instrument that heralded royalty,' he adds ruefully. Haunting sound Ages ago, this wind instrument may have been ubiquitous on the battlefields of the Tamil land. The instrument's haunting sound, almost like the trumpeting of an elephant, would have announced the arrival of the king on the battlefield. Above the clashing of spears and neighing of horses, the kombu's unique sound would have travelled far and clear. This sound would have given weary soldiers a renewed vigour to fight, knowing that the chief commandant, the king, too had entered the fray. Once the battle was done, the kombu would have heralded the victory march. Later, when the presiding deity of the city was taken out in a procession, again it was the kombu that announced to the citizens the arrival of the gods from the temple precincts. It was a call that brought divinity into the realm of mortal beings. The kombu, in its raw form during the prehistoric time, may have been hollowed out from the horns of cows and buffaloes. It may have been the first plaything a prehistoric child would have used as a blow pipe. Almost all early civilizations had variations of animal-horn trumpets. Though rock arts depict women dancing, according to archaeologists there is no sufficient evidence to showcase the depiction of kombu in these early paintings. A. Krishnakumar, who is interested in the study of ancient instruments, says the earliest written documentation of this instrument can be found in Thirumurai songs, composed in praise of Lord Shiva, during the period from the 6th Century to the 11th Century. One of the verses that mentions this instrument is found in Thirumurai (12.0654), he adds. Silappathikaram, written around the 6th Century, also has a mention of the kombu. The 12th canto in Madurai Kandam of Silappathikaram, also known as Vettuva Vatri, describes a dance being performed to the accompaniment of parai, kulal, and kombu. Limited versatility But now, the use of this instrument is fading. This may be due to the fact that the instrument can produce only three notes — 'sa', 'pa', and another 'sa' — on a slightly higher pitch. Thus, as an instrument, with a very limited versatility, it can be used only as an embellishment for drum beats in orchestras. Earlier, the kombu was a single-piece instrument, but now it is made of two pieces and is being manufactured in brass or copper. It usually has a curved 'C' shape and very rarely is it made in 'S' shape. The metal and the curved shape of the instrument help in amplifying the sound waves. The resultant vibration creates a magnified sound. With one hand, the player holds the narrowest part to his mouth and with the other hand, he raises the part with the wider circumference in the air and then blows into the instrument. What the musician needs is significant lung power and lip control. 'Too piercing' Velu, who resides at Sembar, a village in Sivaganga district, is unable to practise at home. 'The sound is too piercing for many,' he says. Along with his relatives Pakiyam, a Kalai Mudu Mani Awardee, and Andi, he walks to a deserted place on the outskirts of the village. The renowned practitioners lift the instrument with reverence. Velu's grandson Vasantha Mugilan,10, who plays it during his holidays, lifts the 5-kg instrument with nonchalance. However, once he blows into it, the boy goes into a trance as he takes forward the tradition of his people. And in the simmering silence of the afternoon sun, the haunting sound shatters the quiet. It rumbles and reverberates; the echoes slowly fade into the horizon marked by palm trees. 'All that we want is that the government should give renewed life to this art form by encouraging youngsters to take it up,' says Pakiyam. Andi says they visit government schools and perform there, hoping that some students would be interested in taking it up. The kombu is mostly seen as a masculine instrument, being played by male performers. Yet, Andi says many girl students evince interest in playing it. Though they are accredited to the Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare Board, these musicians hope for more financial aid. 'Only a few are able to get a monthly pension. We have given petitions to the Collector and we hope for more monetary assistance,' Velu says. Till then, many do other jobs, while some, like Velu, wait for the call from the organisers of temple festivals, in which the kombu is the prelude to the act of devotion.
News18
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Maargan X Reviews: Fans Say Vijay Antony's Crime Thriller Is ‘Extremely Brilliant'
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Time of India
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‘Captain Prabhakaran' returns: Vijayakanth's iconic 100th film to re-release in 4K, RK Selvamani recalls his fond memories
'Captain Prabhakaran', a hugely successful film starring Vijayakanth in the lead role, was released in 1991 and directed by R.K. Selvamani. The film featured Rupini, Mansoor Ali Khan , Livingston, and others in crucial roles. Ramya Krishnan and Sarathkumar made special appearances. Ilaiyaraaja 's music featured only two songs, 'Pasamulla Pandiyare' and 'Aatama Therotama'. The film, which was Vijayakanth's 100th film, became a mega hit and earned him the title of 'Captain'. The film crew was planning to re-release it in theaters, 34 years after its release in April 2025. The film has been converted to 4K quality using modern technology, catering to the new generation and nostalgic old fans. A cult classic turns timeless The official announcement regarding the film's re-release has now been made. The film will return to theaters on Friday, August 22, 2025, to mark Vijayakanth's birthday. Since his birthday falls on Monday, August 25th, it has been decided to release the film three days early. This re-release will be released in more than 500 theaters across Tamil Nadu. Not only Vijayakanth fans, but everyone is eagerly waiting for the return of 'Captain' Veli. This announcement has created great anticipation among fans, adding to the nostalgia and celebration. Director RK Selvamani recalls Vijayakanth's dedication Speaking with the Press and Media, director R.K. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Embark on a 2-night Chennai–high seas–Chennai adventure. Cordelia Cruises Book Now Undo Selvamani talks about 'Captain Prabhakaran' with fond memories. "Even after 34 years, the film still looks like a new film, even when you watch it today. I was skeptical whether people would watch it if it was re-released. But the stunt sequences performed by Vijayakanth sir were so elegant and meticulous that they could not be captured even with the technology available today. He endured the beatings and continued working," he said. He says that this has created high expectations for the film, not only among fans but also among cinema lovers. Vijayakanth's son Vijaya Prabhakaran leads the film's re-release RK Selvamani further added that, 'Now some people are selling the films with great fanfare. But as soon as the news of this film being re-released came out, distributors started contacting them enthusiastically asking them to buy the license. This shows the respect for Vijayakanth sir. Also, it is very special that Vijayakanth's son Vijaya Prabhakaran, who was born during the shooting of the film, is going to re-release the film with his own hands today,' he said happily.
