Thevar Magan
Encyclopedia
Thevar Magan (English
: Son of the Master) is a 1992 India
n Tamil film produced by, written by, and starring Kamal Hassan in the title role. It was directed by Bharathan
and also stars Sivaji Ganesan
, Nasser, Revathi and Gouthami. The film met with a very strong critical and commercial reception upon release. The film score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja
. India chose this film as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards
in 1992.
The film won five National Film Awards, including the Best Tamil Film Award
(Kamal Hassan), Best Supporting Actress Award
(Revathi), and a Special Jury Award (Sivaji Ganesan).
The film was dubbed into Telugu
under the title Kshatriya Putrudu. It was later remade into the Hindi film Virasat
(1997) by Priyadarshan
and in Kannada as Tandege Takka Maga (2006) by S. Mahendar.
) returns home to his father, Periya Thevar’s (Sivaji Ganesan
) village in Tamil Nadu
, after completing his education in London
. Much to his father’s annoyance, he brings his westernized girlfriend (Gautami) with him to meet his family. Saktivelu plans on opening a chain of restaurants in Chennai
which saddens Periya Thevar as he wanted his son to help the villagers with his education.
Periya Thevar is a well respected village chief. His younger brother and his nephew Maya Thevar (Nasser) holds a huge grudge against him over a family feud. Since most of the village is divided into these two brothers faction and as Maya Thevar always tries to one up Periya Thevar, it puts them at loggerheads with each other.
Saktivelu spends time in the village with his girlfriend by re-visiting his childhood memories. They come across an old temple which has been closed off on Maya Thevar’s instructions. He insists on entering and his friend and servant Esaki (Vadivelu
) breaks open the lock for them to look around. Maya Thevar hears of this and a brutal riot is started among the two village factions. Periya thevar, in order to quell the situation, contemplates on apologising to his opponents. Sakthivelu feels it should be him or Esaki who should apologise. When Saktivelu asks for esaki, he learns that Maya Thevar has amputated Easki’s hand for opening the temple. In order to prevent further escalation of the situation Saktivelu, with permission from his father, enlists the help of his friends in the government and opens the temple for all legally. Slighted by this, Maya Thevar, hires goons to break a dam protecting a part of the village faction that supports Periya Thevar. Although one of the villagers spots one of the goons near the dam, he doesn’t think much of it.
The dam is damaged by explosives used by the goons which results in flooding of half the village. This results in lots of death including infants which deeply saddens Saktivelu. He spots the goon who placed the explosives again in the village and gives chase. After capturing, he hands the goon over to the police but the goon doesn’t give up Maya Thevar's involvement due to fear for his family’s life.
Later in order to go one up on shakthi, Maya Thevar closes a portion of his land to prevent the public from reaching the mainroad easily. Sakthivelu and his father invite them for talks at village Panchayat. In the village panchayat accusations fly from both sides. With no evidence backing up the truth, Maya Thevar accuses Periya Thevar for orchestrating various attacks on his brother's family. Disrespected and broken, Periya Thevar returns to his home and passes away soon. Saktivelu takes over his father’s duties as the head of the village.
As time passes, this incident dies down. The villagers express concern to Saktivelu about going around a piece of land belonging to Maya Thevar’s side of the village everyday to work in their farm which causes a much longer travelling time. Saktivelu reasons with the owner of the land to open it up for all villagers to pass so that their long commute is shortened. Although understanding and willing, the land owner is afraid of Maya Thevar’s backlash especially since he has a daughter (Revathi
). Saktivelu assures his fear by arranging marriage between a well-to-do person from his village to the land owners daughter. Everybody involved happily agrees and the land owner opens up the land for everyone.
On the day of the wedding, the groom runs away fearing Maya-Thevar. The landowner and his daughter are distraught over this claiming that it is a huge disrespect for his family and even if someone marries his daughter, they have to live in constant fear. Saktivelu then gets permission from landowner and weds his daughter. At first, although Saktivelu still has feelings for his girlfriend and his new bride is very shy, they overcome their awkwardness and move on. But soon, his girlfriend comes back and learns the truth. Although sadden, she understands the situation and leaves. Saktivelu, too, closes the chapter about his girlfriend and starts his new life with his wife.
Maya-Thevar, again slighted by the opening of the land, plants bomb in the village festival. This results in a lot of death on both sides of the village. Both factions of the village, wanting revenge, go after Maya-Thevar and his family. Saktivelu protects the innocent family including his uncle and helps them get away from the villagers. Appreciative of Saktivelu’s efforts to protect them, they give away Maya-Thevar's hiding location.
Saktivelu goes to meet Maya-Thevar and asks him to surrender to the police before the villagers kill him. Maya-Thevar’s rabid hate for Saktivelu makes his reject his offer for help. Maya-Thevar blaming Saktivelu for all his problems tries to kill Saktivelu. In the struggle that follows, Saktivelu accidentally kills Maya-Thevar. Although other villagers are willing to take the blame for the kill, Saktivelu gives himself up to the police.
(India
)
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
: Son of the Master) is a 1992 India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n Tamil film produced by, written by, and starring Kamal Hassan in the title role. It was directed by Bharathan
Bharathan
Bharathan was an Indian film director, artist, lyricist, music director, sculptor, poster designer, editor and art director. Bharathan is noted for being the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Padmarajan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely...
and also stars Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
, Nasser, Revathi and Gouthami. The film met with a very strong critical and commercial reception upon release. The film score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
. India chose this film as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
in 1992.
The film won five National Film Awards, including the Best Tamil Film Award
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil
The following lists the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given...
(Kamal Hassan), Best Supporting Actress Award
National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress
The National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress winners:...
(Revathi), and a Special Jury Award (Sivaji Ganesan).
The film was dubbed into Telugu
Telugu cinema
The Cinema of Andhra Pradesh, also referred to as Telugu Cinema or Tollywood, is the Telugu film industry in India. The Telugu language film industry is known for being one of the three largest in terms of no.of films produced yearly in India. The Prasads IMAX theatre in Hyderabad is one of the...
under the title Kshatriya Putrudu. It was later remade into the Hindi film Virasat
Virasat (1997 film)
Virasat is a Hindi musical drama film by Priyadarshan that was released in India in 1997. It starred Anil Kapoor, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Pooja Batra, Milind Gunaji and Govind Namdeo. The story was by Kamal Hassan and Anu Malik was the music composer...
(1997) by Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning over two decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu...
and in Kannada as Tandege Takka Maga (2006) by S. Mahendar.
Plot
Saktivelu (Kamal HaasanKamal Haasan
Kamal Haasan is an Indian film actor, screenwriter and director, considered to be one of the leading method actors of Indian cinema. He is widely acclaimed as an actor and is well known for his versatility in acting...
) returns home to his father, Periya Thevar’s (Sivaji Ganesan
Sivaji Ganesan
Viluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
) village in Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
, after completing his education in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Much to his father’s annoyance, he brings his westernized girlfriend (Gautami) with him to meet his family. Saktivelu plans on opening a chain of restaurants in Chennai
Chennai
Chennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
which saddens Periya Thevar as he wanted his son to help the villagers with his education.
Periya Thevar is a well respected village chief. His younger brother and his nephew Maya Thevar (Nasser) holds a huge grudge against him over a family feud. Since most of the village is divided into these two brothers faction and as Maya Thevar always tries to one up Periya Thevar, it puts them at loggerheads with each other.
Saktivelu spends time in the village with his girlfriend by re-visiting his childhood memories. They come across an old temple which has been closed off on Maya Thevar’s instructions. He insists on entering and his friend and servant Esaki (Vadivelu
Vadivelu
Vadivelu , often referred to as Vadivel, is a Tamil film actor,comedian and playback singer. Since 2000, he has acted as a comedian in various Tamil films. During his career, Vadivelu has won several Filmfare Awards and Tamil Nadu State Film Awards...
) breaks open the lock for them to look around. Maya Thevar hears of this and a brutal riot is started among the two village factions. Periya thevar, in order to quell the situation, contemplates on apologising to his opponents. Sakthivelu feels it should be him or Esaki who should apologise. When Saktivelu asks for esaki, he learns that Maya Thevar has amputated Easki’s hand for opening the temple. In order to prevent further escalation of the situation Saktivelu, with permission from his father, enlists the help of his friends in the government and opens the temple for all legally. Slighted by this, Maya Thevar, hires goons to break a dam protecting a part of the village faction that supports Periya Thevar. Although one of the villagers spots one of the goons near the dam, he doesn’t think much of it.
The dam is damaged by explosives used by the goons which results in flooding of half the village. This results in lots of death including infants which deeply saddens Saktivelu. He spots the goon who placed the explosives again in the village and gives chase. After capturing, he hands the goon over to the police but the goon doesn’t give up Maya Thevar's involvement due to fear for his family’s life.
Later in order to go one up on shakthi, Maya Thevar closes a portion of his land to prevent the public from reaching the mainroad easily. Sakthivelu and his father invite them for talks at village Panchayat. In the village panchayat accusations fly from both sides. With no evidence backing up the truth, Maya Thevar accuses Periya Thevar for orchestrating various attacks on his brother's family. Disrespected and broken, Periya Thevar returns to his home and passes away soon. Saktivelu takes over his father’s duties as the head of the village.
As time passes, this incident dies down. The villagers express concern to Saktivelu about going around a piece of land belonging to Maya Thevar’s side of the village everyday to work in their farm which causes a much longer travelling time. Saktivelu reasons with the owner of the land to open it up for all villagers to pass so that their long commute is shortened. Although understanding and willing, the land owner is afraid of Maya Thevar’s backlash especially since he has a daughter (Revathi
Revathi
Revathi is an award-winning Indian actress and film director. She has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi movies, directed several feature-length films, and has acted in and produced multiple television programs, totaling over twenty years of experience in the entertainment...
). Saktivelu assures his fear by arranging marriage between a well-to-do person from his village to the land owners daughter. Everybody involved happily agrees and the land owner opens up the land for everyone.
On the day of the wedding, the groom runs away fearing Maya-Thevar. The landowner and his daughter are distraught over this claiming that it is a huge disrespect for his family and even if someone marries his daughter, they have to live in constant fear. Saktivelu then gets permission from landowner and weds his daughter. At first, although Saktivelu still has feelings for his girlfriend and his new bride is very shy, they overcome their awkwardness and move on. But soon, his girlfriend comes back and learns the truth. Although sadden, she understands the situation and leaves. Saktivelu, too, closes the chapter about his girlfriend and starts his new life with his wife.
Maya-Thevar, again slighted by the opening of the land, plants bomb in the village festival. This results in a lot of death on both sides of the village. Both factions of the village, wanting revenge, go after Maya-Thevar and his family. Saktivelu protects the innocent family including his uncle and helps them get away from the villagers. Appreciative of Saktivelu’s efforts to protect them, they give away Maya-Thevar's hiding location.
Saktivelu goes to meet Maya-Thevar and asks him to surrender to the police before the villagers kill him. Maya-Thevar’s rabid hate for Saktivelu makes his reject his offer for help. Maya-Thevar blaming Saktivelu for all his problems tries to kill Saktivelu. In the struggle that follows, Saktivelu accidentally kills Maya-Thevar. Although other villagers are willing to take the blame for the kill, Saktivelu gives himself up to the police.
Awards
1993 National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
(India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
)
- Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Tamil)National Film Award for Best Feature Film in TamilThe following lists the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil. The year in the header refers to the date when the film was censored and submitted for the awards, without of regard of when the award was presented. Apart from the Silver Lotus Award "Certificate of Merit" was also given...
- Kamal Hassan (as producer) - Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Supporting ActressNational Film Award for Best Supporting ActressThe National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress winners:...
- RevathiRevathiRevathi is an award-winning Indian actress and film director. She has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi movies, directed several feature-length films, and has acted in and produced multiple television programs, totaling over twenty years of experience in the entertainment... - Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Playback Singer (Female)National Film Award for Best Female Playback SingerThe National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer winners are given below. Lata Mangeshkar is the oldest winner in this category, whereas Anjali Marathe is the youngest winner; while K. S. Chithra been awarded for the maximum number of times .-Superlatives:...
- S. JanakiS. JanakiS. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35... - Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best AudiographyNational Film Award for Best AudiographyThe National Film Award for Best Audiography winners:...
- N. Pandu Rangan - Won - Silver Lotus Award - Special Jury Award - Actor - Sivaji GanesanSivaji GanesanViluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 9 songs composed by IlaiyaraajaIlaiyaraaja
Ilaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
- Potri Paadadi Penne - IlaiyaraajaIlaiyaraajaIlaiyaraaja is an Indian film composer, singer, and lyricist mainly in the Tamil film Industry. He is regarded as one of the finest music composers in India. Ilaiyaraaja is also an instrumentalist, conductor, and a songwriter...
, ManoMano (singer)Mano is an Indian playback singer. He sings in Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi.-Biography:Mano was born in a Muslim family and his original name is Nagoor Babu; he was rechristened Mano by Ilayaraja... - Sandhu Pottu - S. P. BalasubrahmanyamS. P. BalasubrahmanyamSripathi Panditaradhyula Balasubrahmanyam is a multilingual Indian playback singer, actor, music director, voice actor and a film producer. He is referred to as S. P. B. or Balu by the media. He has won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer six times closely following K. J. Yesudas...
, Kamal Hassan - Potri Paadadi Penne - Sivaji GanesanSivaji GanesanViluppuram Chinnaiahpillai Ganesan Manrayar , commonly known by his stage name Sivaji Ganesan , was an Indian stage and film actor active during the latter half of the 20th century. He is one of the most respected film actors in India. He is well known for his versatility and acting skills with...
, Shruti HaasanShruti HaasanShruti Haasan is an Indian actress, singer and music composer who has worked in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil films. Her parents are noted actors, Kamal Haasan and Sarika. As a child artiste, she sang in films and appeared in a guest role, before making her adult acting debut in the 2009 action drama,... - Vaanam Thottu Pona - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
- Ada Puthiyathu Piranthadhu - Malaysia VasudevanMalaysia VasudevanVasudevan Nair , known as Malaysia Vasudevan was a Tamil playback singer and actor in the Tamil film industry. He was known for singing songs for Indian actor Rajnikanth and many more.- Early life :...
- Inji Idupazhaga - S. JanakiS. JanakiS. Janaki is an Indian female playback singer. Renowned for her voice modulation abilities, she has sung in many Indian languages, most frequently in Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi. Throughout a career spanning more than five decades, she has won four National Film Awards and 35...
- Inji Idupazhagi - S. Janaki, Kamal Hassan
- Manamagale Manamagale - SwarnalathaSwarnalathaSwarnalatha was a Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga....
, MinminiMinminiMinmini is a South Indian film playback singer. She is remembered especially for the song "Chinna Chinna Aasai" from Roja, the debut work of film composer A. R. Rahman. Though she is from Kerala, most of her memorable songs are in Tamil, most of them composed by Ilaiyaraaja and A. R. Rahman... - Masaru Ponnae Varuga - Swarnalatha, Minmini