Thennavan is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language political action film written and directed by newcomer A. M. Nandakumar and produced by Vijayakanth, who played the title role Thennavan IAS, in-charge as the Chief Election Commissioner and fights against corrupt politicians.

To win the election, Ilanthiraiyan orders Mustafa (Thalaivasal Vijay) to plant a bomb during one of his public meetings.

In court, Thennavan provides uncontested evidence and the culprits including Ilanthiraiyan are sentenced to life imprisonment.

He then holds a public meet: he urges the voters to boycott the election to save the country from corrupt politicians and to stop people who will try to vote.

Shooting for the film commenced in Chennai, and some fight scenes were picturised on top of highrise buildings like the Y.M.C.A and the Devi Theater, and on a set erected at the Prasad Studios.

The fight scene between the hero and the jailor was filmed at Prasad Studios, where a lavish set of jail was erected at a cost of about Rs.

While most of the shooting took place in Chennai and Pollachi, the unit also shot at locations in Jodhpur, Orissa and Visakhapatnam.

The Hindu wrote: "Thennavan would have been a tailor-made story for Vijayakanth but for the flawed script, clichéd dialogue and unappealing caricatures.

[3] Chennai Online wrote "As for the debutant director, he seems to have seen some earlier Vijayakanth films - all the wrong ones - and taken his inspiration.