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Appa official poster

Appa(2016)

7.1/10
Tamil117 minstheatrical

Appa is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language independent drama film written and directed by Samuthirakani. The cast includes Preethi Christina Paul, Gabriella Charlton, Namo Narayana, and Thambi Ramaiah, with Sasikumar in a guest appearance. The story centers on Dhayalan, a father who raises his son through friendship and trust rather than strict discipline. It explores the challenges of parenting in a society that often values harshness over understanding. The film was praised for its honest portrayal of fatherhood and emotional depth. It was released in 2016 and is available on Apple TV.

Director:Samuthirakani
Mood:
emotionalinspiringuplifting

Appa (2016) OTT release date is not officially announced yet — GudVibe tracks its streaming availability daily.

Where to watch:
OTT availability not confirmed yet. Check Netflix · Prime Video · Hotstar · ZEE5

Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
1 July 2016
Director
Samuthirakani
Language
Tamil
Runtime
1h 57m
Rating
7.1/10

Storyline

Dhayalan wants to raise his son to be a good man. He chooses to be a friend, not a strict father. But his son falls into bad company and makes a terrible mistake. Now Dhayalan must decide whether to punish him or give him another chance.

A father's love shapes a son's soul

Film Details

7.1Rating
117Minutes
TamilLanguage
PGCertificate
Release Date1 July 2016
Release Typetheatrical

Parental Guide

Violence
Low
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Low

Vibe & Tags

Mood
emotionalinspiringuplifting
Themes
familyidentityjusticecorruption
Toneserious
Pacingslow-burn
Complexitymoderate
Audiencefamily
Best Withfamily
Violence1
Emotion4
Humor2
Rewatchability3

Cast & Crew

Reunion Meter

Frequent partnerships reunited for Appa

Cast reunions in this film: Thambi Ramaiah & Samuthirakani (15 films together), Samuthirakani & Namo Narayana (14 films together), M. Sasikumar & Samuthirakani (12 films together), M. Sasikumar & Namo Narayana (9 films together), Namo Narayana & Vela Ramamoorthy (7 films together), and Thambi Ramaiah & Namo Narayana (5 films together).

Trivia

  • The film was shot in just 30 days, a very tight schedule for a feature-length movie.
  • Director Samuthirakani also wrote the story, which was partly inspired by his own experiences as a father.
  • The movie's climax scene involving a school was filmed at a real government school in Chennai.
  • It was produced on a modest budget, focusing its resources on the story rather than star salaries.
  • The film subtly critiques the commercialisation of education, a relevant social issue in Tamil Nadu.
  • Despite its social message, it had a limited theatrical release compared to big commercial films.
  • Actor Samuthirakani played the lead role, making it a personal project where he directed himself.

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