Padayappa(1999)
Padayappa is a 1999 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by K. S. Ravikumar. It stars Rajinikanth in the title role, with Ramya Krishnan, Soundarya, and Pritha Hari in lead roles. Sivaji Ganesan appears in a supporting role as Padayappa's father. The film follows Padayappa, a mechanical engineer, whose family is targeted by his cousin Neelambari after he rejects her love proposal. The story spans two generations and explores themes of revenge, family loyalty, and hard work. The soundtrack and background score were composed by A. R. Rahman. Upon release, Padayappa became the highest-grossing Tamil film at that time. Ramya Krishnan's performance as Neelambari won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil. The film also won five Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. It was released on 10 April 1999, on Tamil New Year's Day.
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 9 April 1999
- Director
- K. S. Ravikumar
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 3h 1m
- Rating
- 6.3/10
Storyline
Padayappa returns to his village for his sister's wedding and falls in love with a kind maid named Vasundhara. But his cousin Neelambari also loves him, and when he rejects her, she vows revenge. Eighteen years later, she uses her nephew to humiliate Padayappa at his own daughter's wedding. Padayappa must protect his family and face a woman who will stop at nothing to destroy him.
“My way is a unique way.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Padayappa
Cast reunions in this film: Rajinikanth & A. R. Rahman (7 films together), K. S. Ravikumar & A. R. Rahman (6 films together), K. S. Ravikumar & Ramya Krishnan (4 films together), Abbas & A. R. Rahman (4 films together), Rajinikanth & K. S. Ravikumar (3 films together), and Abbas & Soundarya (3 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally planned with Kamal Haasan in the lead role, but he declined and Rajinikanth later accepted.
- The famous 'Ninaithu Ninaithu' song was shot in just two hours due to heavy rain and time constraints.
- The character Neelambari was partly inspired by the mythological figure Kannagi from the Tamil epic Silappathikaram.
- The climax fight scene involving a giant wheel was filmed using a real, custom-built mechanical wheel, not CGI.
- The film's iconic 'Vasool Raja' dialogue was improvised by Rajinikanth during shooting and became a major catchphrase.
- The movie was a huge box office success, running for over 200 days in many theaters across Tamil Nadu.
- Actress Ramya Krishnan, who played Neelambari, learned classical dance for years to perform her own dance sequences in the film.