User reviews

People would say this movie is more of a realistic one but the thing is that there is a bit of poetic expression in many scenes that breaks many stereotypes and are enjoyable. Dhanush rules the screen such that inspite of his body language, the viewer will accept him as a gangster once the script gets the pace. Unlike other gangster flicks where the lead will come up from the slums and all that drug trafficking stuff, this one gets into political world that too in a realistic manner.

Technically of a higher class where the cinematography and the use of colour palattes and lights help much in expressing the multiple moods of the film. Music is just out of the world with multiple grooves and much experimental tunes that hit the right chord well.

With a world class script and a director like selva, this is a timeless masterpiece that would inspire young filmmakers. One problem is with the excessive bloodshed that would not be appropriate for family audiences. Except for that this is one of those movies a cinebuff will long to see again and again

Pudhu Pettai (2006) : Brief Review -

Surely among the Top 5 Best Gangster Films ever made in India. Dhanush and Selvaraguavan both have outdone themselves. When i look back at my list of Best Gangster/Crime dramas, i find Classics like Nayakan, Keeridam, Thalapathi, Spadikam ruling the top spots and then there are many others following the decreasing ratio of quality till 2020. That includes Dhanush's own Vada Chennai too, which, i feel is overrated and looking at Pudhu Pettai it's definitely Overrated! I don't care about others, but this is The Best Gangster Flick i have seen in this millenium. What Bollywood couldn't do in 90s and 00s decade even after making good gangster flicks like Satya and OUTIM, that full proof "Classic" tag was missed but Pudhu Pettai has it in 2006 when Gangster flicks were craving for masala elements. After running away from his home teenager Kumar falls in with a gang and slowly rises through the ranks of the Criminal Underworld. His new identity is Kokki Kumar, the Don and wanna be MLA whom everyone fears. You know the basic formula of gangster dramas that no matter how courageous, fearless, reckless the guy is, he must commit a blunder to cause his downfall and with Pudhu Pettai everything is top notch. And it's pleasantly surprisingly because it doesn't look typical. I wanted Kumar to do a blunder and he does exactly at the interval point. That entire idea of two marriages was such a new experience to see in Indian Gangster dramas. And when i wanted him to go through torment, he does and even that part was so intelligently crafted. Performance wise, Dhanush has outdone himself. I'm Speechless. Supporting cast is excellent too. Selavaraghavan does wonders at director's chair with his amazing talent. What a fabulous framework and what a gripping narrative it was. Three hours into crime world and i never felt bored, courtesy team Pudhu Pettai. Overall, an absolute Classic that shouldn't be missed at all.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

Selvaraghavan has managed to picture a movie that careens past the usual reality check in films and perches itself atop a hill. A gargantuan talent that has been latent in Dhanush has been exposed. The veracity and his luminous capability to scintillate his dialogues with authenticity is what implodes the shell that the film initially cocoons itself in. The movie wings itself into a political drama that unflinchingly emanates a feeling of relativity. The movie bludgeons relativity to such boundless extents that by the end of it, the viewer is sure to have a sure shot idea of how politics in India works. Kudos to Selva Raghavan for creating a gangster film that saunters happily past the line designed for success and it is a film not to be deigned with.

Pudhupettai - Undoubtedly one of the best Tamil films, set the benchmark for how to make a gangster movie in Tamil! Dhanush, who is a superstar now, was a budding, promising actor back then, hits bull's eye in his portrayal of the Gangster named "Kokki" Kumar. The movie, though wasn't much celebrated at the time of its release, instantly became a cult classic, a few months after. The movie is like a poetry in motion, even though some cinematic liberties are taken in few scenes, the overall feel is so realistic and hard hitting. Right from being a naive adolescent to becoming a ruthless gangster, Dhanush simply rocks every frame he is in, which is literally every frame:-) The supporting actors are all very believable and they did a great job as well. Selvaraghavan is a director who always experiments with different genres and makes a huge impact with his films, even tough they aren't financially successful and this movie is the biggest example of it. Do watch this movie, if you're a lover of pure cinema

An apt movie replicating the real south Indian gangsters.

Selva Ragavan had did a good home work on making this movie .People think gang leader should have huge built body, which is actually not. Most of the gangsters are brutal in behavior but looks thin and lean. Kokki Kumar's noxious behavior in this film is very well framed in to different scenes.

A gangster film never looked this good and real. The Energy and raw power brought in to this movie is admirable. Even though it imitates minute things from "City of god", Selva Ragavan has shown his own signature in Pudhupettai.

It is one of the best gangster movies after Nayagan in south Indian movie.

This is certainly for the kind of audience who love to watch reality in cinema .

-Arun DX...

There will always be one movie that someone keeps close to their heart. This one from director Selvaraghavan is one such movie that is very close to my heart till date.

Sometimes miracle do happen. For a film, it is a miracle to be a perfect one in all aspects, may it be acting/music/cinematography/direction/screenplay. Pudhupettai is a sheer class of brilliant acting, nerve catching music and artistic direction.

I doubt if Dhanush could ever do a better acting than this, same applies for Yuvanshankar Raja and Selvaraghavan for their own work. In fact this movie is the best one for all the above three people.

I wish I had a count of number of times I watched this movie. Whatever., it is the best inspiring movie ever made, in any languages for that matter.

People say it has drawn similarities from other Gangster movies, but who cares, It happens for every movie. On that note, this is best Gangster movie ever.

To conclude, if you lack in confidence? frustrated about life? depressed? or feeling let down? then this is movie could be your doctor prescribed one.

Its gangster flick season in Kollywood. After Thotti Jaya and Pattiyal, Pudhupettai covers the negative side of Tamil Nadu-it's underworld network. This film was released on May 26 2006, and not 2005.

Directed by critically-acclaimed director Selvaragavan, Pudhupettai also depicts the harsh reality of the life of an underworld don. Kokki Kumar, the protagonist, leaves home when his father murders his mother and joins the company of a gang of drug-dealers and brothel-runners. His transformation from a scrawny innocent chap to a notorious gang leader is cinematic and clichéd in some ways.

The events unfold in periodic flashback from Kokki Kumar's cell. The film contains lots of interesting characters- a prostitute who falls in love with the protagonist, a friend who betrays his leader for the sake of his sister who becomes accidentally married to him, a rival gang leader who never gives up and a string of politicians who will do anything of their own free will. Kokki's almost downfall is narrated well and his fatherhood comes off as a clean and believable sentimental arena.

The climax induces some laughter-which comes off as unexpected and thus, not a bad move for the director. Although the film does meet expectations in some ways, it falls short of a few things that arise due to the director's desire to carve the film differently from other typical gangster flicks. I'm surprised the rating was PG-13 in Singapore. It should have been at least NC16. Otherwise, the movie is anticipated to meet critical success. Violence has been making waves in many recent films and Pudhupettai is no exception. Blood is so common in the film that you get used to the sight of red everywhere. However, bloodshed is justified in this film compared to the others.

The ending is also handled in a believable manner. This film may very well be based on a true story. Reality bites, especially in the life of a gangster who is a wannabe-politician.

Dhanush has obviously worked his heart out for the movie. Yet, he seems to overact in a few scenes that makes us wonder is his character is slightly insane. Of the 2 heroines, I found the Sonia Agarwal character more interesting though the prostitute character gets the more accolades. Yuvan Shanker Raja has 2 catchy numbers-Pul Pesum and Vaariya. The theme music is quite familiar-survival of the fittest-which also happens to be the tagline of the film. How that tagline is suited to the movie, I have no idea.

I really enjoy gangster flicks and can't wait for the next one, titled "E" to arrive.

I am not a Tamil guy I m just a cinema lover.What a movie that too in 2006 I must say this movie is a way ahead of its time.Dhanush acting was top notch and treat to watch.

I never expected that there is gem like this one. It realistically showed how goon or rowdy gets into this profession and slowly but painfully gets in the center of it. From his perspective it shows that he has done what seems to right to himself without caring one bit for other person. Dhanush acting as usual was phenomenal and satisfactory. Action scene were decent but would have been done better but it still are admissable as they were released in 2006.

Good movie. Dhanush and everybody acted very well in the movie. Fight scenes in the movie were excellent. Songs in the movie were good but the BGM in the movie were excellent. The movie was not so interesting. The negatives in the film are more violence in the film and vulgar scenes. The movie lagged a lot and the movie was also boring in 2nd half. The movie was not excellent but the movie was good.

What you expect from a movie

1)Crime - Yes 2)Love - Yes 3)Action- Yes

Master piece combo by yuvan and selva if this movie re release or 2nd part comes means dhanush will be the top star now

It is not a movie it is an lifespan of Tamil cinema

I watched this movie with zero expectations, because the movie was a flop at the box office. In my opinion, this is one of the best Dhanush movies as well as one of Selvaraghavan's best Masterpieces.

Positives:- Story, Dhanush's acting, direction, action sequences, Yuvan Shankar Raja's songs and bgm,

Negatives:- second half is a bit too draggy

Overall, this is by far one of the best Dhanush's movies ever, and I would definitely recommend this movie to those who haven't watched Dhanush movies, or who don't like Dhanush. Please don't miss this movie!!!!

Pudhu Pettai = The real world of crime and culprits.

We don't know if someone will direct such films in future. 100% original script with detailed work. we don't need directors like James Cameron or Christopher Nolan to elevate Tamil Cinema. We just need a film which can project our cultures and lifestyle as best as possible. A fantastic gangster movie from a legendary director Selva sir. The film was recognized very late by the audience. However, I'm happy that at least people are celebrating the movie after 10 years. Every tamil movie fan should watch this raw gangster movie and admire how brilliant directors we have in our tamil cinema.

The story of the film is good, but I feel like Dhanush is doing too much! The movie would have been better if they would have replaced Danush with Arya.

Got negative reception in past,But those days are gone.we still enjoy this movie.

It was the end of a big longing for me to watch this film because I had been surrounded by the praising about this one for so long. And now I made that end point with the fascination and brilliancy about this dark movie. I went through many of other Selvaraghavan's works but this might attain a special in my list. Obviously it is one of the beautiful film that has the potential to inspire the movies that are in planning. Love the way Dhanush handles it as the protagonist and all other cast done their part very well. While watching backward into the past from this kind of works from Vetrimaaran, I really appreciate the Selva's way of narration and presentation. There is no doubt for me that Vetri might have an influence on him. A great, documentarily depicted piece of work with a realized fictional fragrance.

This films depicts the full origins of a normal scared teenager to becoming one of the most brutal and dreaded gangster of the state. Story progression, lighting, themes and surrounding are the base strengths of this film. Giving off a tone in where the audience is glued from the beginning to the end. A must watch! And Hats off to Director Selvaragavan and Team !!

One of the finest tamil movie ever made. Depicts the rise of boy to how he becomes a powerful don.