Tharai Thappattai is a 2016 Tamil-language musical drama film written, produced and directed by Bala.
The story opens with an Indian guide woman leading a Discovery channel TV team asking an elderly villager named Saamipulavan to perform his mridangam art for their documentary.
Times are tough, and the ensemble jumps at a chance to perform in the Andaman Islands for a hefty sum.
The hotel's security throws them out, and the event manager rips their tickets back home when Sooravalli physically assaults them for their improper advances.
Sannasi's father, Saamipulavan, who has always disapproved of what he considers his son's adulteration and lowering of the art form, lambasts him for this.
One day, Samipulavan gets called to perform a concert in front of high-ranking foreign officials, including the Governor of Australia.
His singing performance is appreciated, and the governor lauds him, finally validating him after years of rejection and obscurity.
The hospital doctor refuses to perform a C-section because of complications that would endanger Sooravali or her child.
Because the birth has to occur at a specific time, Karuppaiah instructs the technician to begin when he whistles.
[4] Early reports had suggested that Shriya Saran had been signed on to play the leading female role of a Karagattam dancer, but it was later noted that she had only been auditioned for the part.
[5] However, after also auditioning other actresses including Shravanthi Sainath, he then chose to offer Varalaxmi Sarathkumar the leading role and subsequently asked her to lose ten kilograms for the film.
[6] Sasikumar was asked to shave his trademark beard and sport a thin moustache, in order to reportedly play a Nadaswaram player in the movie.
[8] Producer R. K. Suresh of Studio 9 Media Works, was signed on to play the antagonist in the film and undertook training in fight scenes with action choreographer Pandian.
[13] Also by March 2014, it was revealed that Ilaiyaraaja had finished recording 12 songs for this film using a live orchestra, in a span of six days.
[21][22][23] Rediff wrote "Thaarai Thappattai has all the elements that you expect from the brilliant director and while it may not appeal to all, it is definitely worth a watch.
[25] Gautaman Bhaskaran critic of The Hindustan Times gave 4 out of 5 rating and stated that" Sasikumar has always been a great actor, but the surprising find has been Sarathkumar, who plays the dancer with a kind of unbelievable strength.
[29] At the 63rd National Film Awards, Ilaiyaraaja won for Best Background Score, a category bifurcated from Best Music Direction.