Periyanna(1999)
Periyanna is a 1999 Tamil-language action drama film directed by S.A. Chandrashekhar. The lead cast includes Vijayakanth, Meena, and Suriya in a pivotal early role. The story follows Suriya, a man who avenges his family's murder by killing the perpetrators and is sentenced to prison. Inside, he becomes a music teacher to the district collector's daughter, leading to a forbidden romance that forces them to elope. The film is notable for its blend of violent revenge sequences and a tender love story, with Suriya's performance earning early recognition. It was released in Tamil Nadu in 1999 and received mixed to positive reviews for its emotional depth and soundtrack.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Sun NXT, Airtel Xstream Play, Eros Now, Plex, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 14 April 1999
- Director
- S. A. Chandrasekhar
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 28m
- Rating
- 4.8/10
Storyline
A young man loses his entire family to brutal murder. He kills the killers and goes to prison. Inside, he teaches music to a rich girl. They fall in love and run away together. But her powerful father will stop at nothing to tear them apart.
“Love that breaks every prison wall”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Periyanna
Cast reunions in this film: S. A. Chandrasekhar & Vijayakanth (18 films together), Anandaraj & Deva (18 films together), Deva & Manorama (17 films together), Vijayakanth & Deva (16 films together), Meena & Deva (14 films together), and Anandaraj & Manorama (12 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Periyanna' but was later released as 'Periyanna' without any major title changes, which is uncommon for director S. A. Chandrasekhar's films of that era.
- This movie marked one of Suriya's early roles before he became a major star, and he played a character with a significant emotional range involving revenge and mentorship.
- The music was composed by Deva, who was known for his folk and melody-driven scores in the 1990s, but the soundtrack did not achieve the same popularity as his other hits.
- A subplot involving the young girl learning music and eloping was seen as a departure from typical revenge dramas, adding a romantic and dramatic layer to the story.
- The film's village setting and murder witness plot were reminiscent of rural Tamil cinema tropes popular in the late 1990s, yet it did not perform well commercially.
- Director S. A. Chandrasekhar often worked with his son Vijay in later years, but 'Periyanna' featured Suriya, highlighting the director's early collaborations with emerging actors.
- The synopsis suggests a blend of revenge and social drama, but the film is less remembered compared to other Suriya films from the same period like 'Nerukku Ner'.