Thee(1981)
Thee (transl. Fire) is a 1981 Indian Tamil-language action crime film directed by R. Krishnamoorthy. The film stars Rajinikanth in the lead role, with Suman, Sowcar Janaki, Sripriya, and Shoba in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 1975 Hindi film Deewaar, written by Salim-Javed. The story follows two brothers: Raja, who becomes a smuggler, and Ravi, who becomes a police officer. Their mother Seetha is caught between them. The film was noted for its emotional depth and Rajinikanth's performance. Music was composed by M. S. Viswanathan with lyrics by Kannadasan. Thee received mixed reviews for being a scene-by-scene remake but was praised for its acting and cinematography by Balakrishnan.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, Hungama Play, Airtel Xstream Play, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 26 January 1981
- Director
- R Krishnamurthy
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 41m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
Two brothers grow up in poverty after their father is branded a thief. Raja turns to crime to support his family, while Ravi becomes an honest police officer. Their paths collide when Ravi is ordered to arrest his own brother. Raja wants to change for love, but his past destroys everything.
“Two brothers. One law. One crime.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Thee
Cast reunions in this film: M. S. Viswanathan & Manorama (63 films together), Sripriya & M. S. Viswanathan (22 films together), Rajinikanth & M. S. Viswanathan (20 films together), Sripriya & Manorama (17 films together), Rajinikanth & Manorama (17 films together), and Sripriya & Rajinikanth (13 films together).
Trivia
- The film's title 'Thee' means fire in Tamil, symbolizing the fiery struggles of the working class.
- Director R. Krishnamurthy was better known by his screen name 'R.K.', a famous art director for many classic films.
- The movie was released during a period when Tamil cinema often featured stories about social justice and labor rights.
- Actor Sivakumar, who played one of the lead roles, was already a major star known for his socially conscious film choices.
- The soundtrack was composed by Shankar–Ganesh, a popular duo known for their work in action and drama films of the era.
- This film is considered part of a wave of early 1980s Tamil movies highlighting urban poverty and family conflict.
- While not a major commercial hit, it is remembered for its strong performances and realistic portrayal of hardship.