Pugai Padam(2025)
Tamil11 mins
A smoking addict in recovery fights the temptation to relapse
Director:Bala Suresh Babu
Mood:
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Where to watch:
OTT availability not confirmed yet. Check Netflix · Prime Video · Hotstar · ZEE5
Quick Facts
- Theatrical Release
- 21 March 2025
- Director
- Bala Suresh Babu
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 11m
Storyline
A man tries to quit smoking and struggles with the urge to start again. He fights a constant battle against his own addiction, trying to stay strong and avoid a relapse.
“One last puff could cost him everything.”
Film Details
11Minutes
TamilLanguage
Release Date21 March 2025
Parental Guide
Violence
Mild
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Mild
Vibe & Tags
Mood
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Themes
survivalidentityfamilycorruption
Tonegritty
Pacingslow-burn
Complexityrequires-attention
Audienceniche
Best Withalone
Violence2
Emotion5
Humor1
Rewatchability3
Cast & Crew
#1
N
Nishanth NaiduTemptation
→#2
J
Jayanth VProtagonist
→#3
S
Shyamakrishnan KannanCrew
→#4
B
Bala Suresh BabuDirector
→Trivia
- The film's title 'Pugai Padam' translates to 'Smoke Picture', a metaphor for the protagonist's hazy reality.
- Director Bala Suresh Babu reportedly consulted with real addiction counselors to shape the main character's struggle.
- The movie was primarily shot in the less-filmed industrial neighborhoods of North Chennai for a gritty atmosphere.
- A key scene uses only the sound of a lighter flicking to build tension, with no background score.
- The actor playing the lead reportedly avoided caffeine during filming to better portray withdrawal symptoms.
- The film's poster design subtly incorporates rising smoke patterns into the lettering of the title.
- It was originally conceived as a short film before being developed into a feature-length project.