Theerpu(1982)
Theerpu (transl. Judgement) is a 1982 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by R. Krishnamoorthy. The lead cast includes Sivaji Ganesan, Sujatha, Jaishankar, and K. Balaji. The story follows Superintendent of Police Rajasekar, who kills a smuggler after the man rapes his daughter. Rajasekar is then arrested by his own son, a police inspector, and must face a trial while hiding the real reason for the murder. The film is a remake of the Malayalam film Ithihasam. It was praised by critics for its performances and emotional depth. Theerpu was released on 21 April 1982 and ran for over 100 days in theatres.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 25 May 1982
- Director
- K. Krishnamurthy
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 30m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
Superintendent Rajasekar lives a happy life with his family. When a smuggler rapes his daughter, Rajasekar kills the man in rage. His own son, a police inspector, arrests him for murder. Rajasekar must now face trial while keeping his daughter’s trauma a secret. Will the law understand his pain, or will his family be destroyed?
“A father’s love or a killer’s crime?”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Theerpu
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Viswanathan & Sivaji Ganesan (110 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Jaishankar (77 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Manorama (63 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Sujatha (38 films together), M. S. Viswanathan & Vijayakumar (33 films together), and Sivaji Ganesan & Manorama (32 films together).
Trivia
- The film was inspired by a real-life incident involving a police officer's family, which director R Krishnamurthy read about in a newspaper.
- This was one of the few Tamil films where actor Sivakumar played a dual role, portraying both the father and his lawyer son.
- The courtroom scenes were shot at a real functioning court in Madras to add authenticity, requiring special permissions.
- Composer Shankar–Ganesh, known for their peppy numbers, created a dramatic background score instead of their usual style.
- The film's title 'Theerpu' translates to 'Verdict' in English, directly linking to the central courtroom drama.
- Actress Radha made a brief but impactful appearance as the victimized daughter, which was a departure from her typical glamorous roles at the time.
- Despite its serious theme, the film had a moderate box office run but gained appreciation for its bold subject in the early 1980s.