Thiruda Thiruda (1993) User Reviews

I actually quite enjoyed it

[Alpie · 6/10 · 20 March 2006]

I have to admit, though I am a huge Mani Ratnam fan, I was reluctant to watch this film, mainly because the impression I got was that it was a bad film. But i kept reading about the use of lighting and the cinematography, and i thought i'd give it a go.

This is probably the least Mani Ratnam-esquire film I have seen, the first 10 minutes i kept seeing homages to Sholay (the initial train sequence and the motorbike the police use) and i mainly put that down to RGV writing. The film gathers pace, characters get introduced, u have the fun chase sequences, some nice little exchanges, and before u realise it the film has finished. The result, a nice little commercial film, which I think is much better than most of the films of this genre made in 2005 in Bollywood. But then again this is Mani Ratnam we are talking about.

The really good things about this film; Brilliant songs, brilliant cinematography, you have to watch the song sequence of Chandralekha simply superb. Technically it is a good film. Well directed.

The bad things about this film; well i have to say, at times the film just looks really low-budget (especially when it comes to the special effects), the lead actors are a little disappointing i thought, apart from one of the actresses ( her character was called rasathi) the lead actors just lack charisma and anu agrawal at times looked a little overweight. the love-triangle was a little a pointless and the fact that it remained unresolved was disappointing.

i do recommend this film, but be aware that this is not a typical Mani Ratnam film so do not start watching the film with expectations of brilliant dialogues, a film grounded in realism, because you will feel a little disappointed.

Interesting movie to kill time

[Ophelia_Chennai · 6/10 · 16 March 2006]

This movie was released long back. However, I viewed it again recently on DVD. Thiruda Thiruda has almost all the ingredients of a commercial Tamil movie - well-done dance sequences, catchy music, memorable songs, comedy, fights, chases, glamorous heroines, mindless villains, gun-toting henchmen who get beaten black and blue by bare-handed heroes and the rest. In fact, the movie has an interesting combination of various elements seen in different Tamil movies - affectionate brothers, village panchayats, policemen who turn into part-time comedians, triangle love, Robin Hood-like heroes who steal from the rich and give to the poor, rustic village belle and glamorous city gal; even the usual thaai maaman atha maga problems (Tamil movie-goers will understand that); and name a chase sequence, and you have it - on a motor bike, on a cycle, on a truck, on a car, on trains, and even on horses! Plus, the movie itself is littered with numerous actors, almost a quarter of the Tamil tinsel town should have figured in it.

It's to the director's credit that he has woven all these elements and more to give a clear and interesting screenplay with well-etched characters. Where he fails is the credibility department. Of course, one can't expect realism in commercial movies. But numerous sequences do test your patience. And then you realise why this movie with amazing songs, a different story and brilliant cinematography still failed to make it big at the box-office.

The story, by the way, is pretty simple - the villain's plan to pinch a 1000 crores of newly printed notes from the Indian government goes awry; the villain and the CBI begin their chase to track down the container; and two village thieves, their ladylove and the villain's mole get drawn into the scheme of things. The movie is worth a watch, especially the songs tuned by AR Rahman - Kannum kannum, Putham puthu bhoomi and Konjam nilavu in particular. The guy who plays Kadir (Anand) looks nice and does a neat job. Pity he hasn't been seen in many Tamil movies.

years, later this experiment will look like an achievement

[stylegamer · 6/10 · 12 February 2012]

Can some movies with no star cast become commercial hits? Yes,if the director is able to provide the right elements that most of the audience needs at a point.

Thiruda Thiruda by Mani Ratnam, with P.C.Sriram and music by A.R.Rahman. It was one of those movies that had no significant and was purely entertainment movie at least for its time. Obviously the director is trying to make the frontbenchers happy.

But if u did not get t o appreciate its technical finesse at the time of its release, u will do so years later. The cinematography is astounding excellence by maniratnam and PC Sriram, considering this move was released in 1993.With the advent of large screen High definition screens. This movie comes alive again even better than it used to before after watching it again on original remastered DVD Undoubtedly Ar Rahman's music in this move is clearly the best in his career . Pure and bold experimentation that gave us a unique experience.

Technically good movie

[navya_hermione · 27 November 2004]

Well,this movie was not a great commercial success to mani sir's team,but i think this movie is technically superb.P.C.Sreeram,has don't an awesome job as usual for mani sir,but he used exceptionally good lighting techniques for songs.For the song "koncham nilavu",the lighting techniques were amazing.The story is pretty simple one,it is all about how a bank robbery makes two thiefs,a spy and a rural girl come together.The story was narrated in a simple way,as there is not much seriousness in the topic.This movie would be definitely enjoyed by people who like adventures and stuff like that.The songs are mind blowing in my opinion.though i like A.R.Rahman's compositions but this one is totally unique in my opinion.The song "thee thee"was composed with a mixture of Indian and western genres....is the best song in this movie.In fact,most of the people don't know the fact that,the lighting technique used in this movie was indeed used again in Lagaan-once upon a time in India which was nominated for the Oscars.Finally this one is a typical pop corn movie,and it does not tell any moral values or things like that to you as most of mani sir's movies tell....but it is quite enjoyable.I'd recommend the DVD!!

Enjoyable

[nikhil-31179 · 6/10 · 7 November 2020]

Good one by Maniratnam At first songs taking was brilliant Music good job by Rahman Both actress looked v good Enjoyable story

Butch and Sundance Go to India

[prasanna · 10/10 · 23 October 2004]

Mani Ratnam's adroit transposition of the Butch and Sundance story into a quirky rural setting with a distinctively Indian sensibility is ceaselessly entertaining, if eventually a little too long. You can find in it the major elements of Indian commercial cinema -- set-piece action scenes and dance numbers--but the film distinguishes itself with stylish camera work, superb music and, above all, a deliciously maverick, fantastical tone embellished with sparkling humor, very reminiscent of Terry Gilliam (Monty Python, Time Bandits, Adventures of Baron Munchhausen) in his prime.

The film borrows liberally from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", both in letter and spirit. The more-or-less irrelevant plot involves two small-time thieves who inadvertently end up in control of the vast loot resulting from a major heist. Hot on their heels are the original mastermind of the heist, and a frantic police force led by an overweight, deceptively slow detective (S.P. Balasubramanian in the role of his life). Predictable complications ensue, but the pleasure is in the perceptive, droll sense of humor and the Indiana Jones-esque sense of adventure with which the story is told.

One of the best of ARR

[pugazholi · 7/10 · 14 August 2022]

If not for the movie, watch for songs. The attempt is worth it but the A class audience of Mani had watched many similar Hollywood movies like this made it a failure, I guess.

A movie, technically completely ahead of its time...!!!!

[mohit-sai6 · 10/10 · 29 July 2015]

This movie needs to be praised for its technical brilliance and camera work, which is way ahead of its time. Exotic locations and the music makes it a better experience. The light hearted humor and some thrilling elements makes it a good watch. This movie gradually achieved a cult status and is considered to be a pathbreaking road film, which explains why the movie did not do well at the box office. The whole movie runs on the basis of a very simple script. based on the classic, 'Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid', the director does a good job in moulding the film in a desi style which would be closely relted to the rural lifestyles. On the whole this movie is a good entertainer and can be watched to kill time.

Mind blowing entertainer

[rejath · 10/10 · 2 January 2013]

Thiruda Thiruda released in 1993 exactly 19 years ago . And i watched this epic achievement of Mani Ratnam today only. I don't know why i didn't watch this fantastic film all these years. Easily one of the best entertainers of Indian Cinema, this film deserved great acclaim and commercial success at the time of its release. Absolutely well crafted film. Thiruda Thiruda can boast of one of the best soundtrack of A R Rahman. Needless to say excellent cinematography by P C Sreeram. Those who haven't watched this fabulous Mani Ratnam film must realize that its high time to watch it. Hugely satisfying experience.Thanks to Flipkart for providing me the original copy of this beautiful film.

Bad story, but excellent soundtrack

[prashanth_s_ · 10/10 · 6 April 2006]

This could easily go down as one of the early 90s Tamil movies that had a terrible story and would have easily bombed in the box-office, but was single-handedly rescued by the music director A.R.Rahman. I agree the movie was thrilling and had a lot of action packed in it, but all the key elements of a good Indian masala movie such as mystery, adventure, action and romance, though present in this movie, were not organized properly. In my opinion, the sole reason why people even came to the theaters to watch it was to listen to the music, as opposed to watching the movie itself. I would rate the soundtrack as one of Rahman's finest ever, in addition to Roja, Kadhalan and Rangeela.

Not bad

[hthiess · 5/10 · 2 October 2003]

I saw this picture recently and found it not so bad as my pre-commentator. Sure the actors have no character parts, but the story has much action, is quite thrilling and there are sometimes rather funny scenes in it. Music was not to my taste, but the dancing scenes were bombastic and there should have been more of them. Conclusion: only for Bollywood fans!

Exotic and ahead of its time...

[shivahappens · 24 November 2005]

Stunning locales and exotic scenery lead the viewer right from India's mint at Nasik into meandering ravines and forests. The story and its conception was probably way ahead of its time, when such pace of action was unheard of, not to mention the extra morph of glamour that the film boldly and outrageously, though successfully, portrayed. This was probably one reason why the movie did not do well at the box office. Some good acting by S.P. Balasubramaniam as the CBI officer gives insights into the workings of the pre-eminent organization. Overall an urbane action flick with rustic romantic vibes, and laudable cinematography.

Headache

[chembai · 7 January 2002]

Mani Ratnam's much-hyped "village thriller" turns out to be just a headache. Great music by AR Rahman is completely wasted (though well picturised) in this awful film, as is Salim Ghouse. Bad dialogue, bad screenplay, bad direction...Bad sums up this film.

Inexplicably bad film from a highly competent technical team.

[Kaaliyaa · 21 February 2004]

Shockingly enough, this film brings together Mani Rathnam, Ram Gopal Varma, and A.R.Rehman. The music is decent, but the technical work is shoddy, the script is terrible, and the performances fairly ordinary. Not suprisingly, Ratnam and Varma never worked together again.

a wacky remake of Butch Cassidy and Sundance Kid

[francis_aj · 22 August 2003]

This movie is visually good.Mani and Sriram has tried different filters to get the mood of a mis en scene.The song Putham puthu bhoomi.. is gorgeously pictured.But mani has completly forget the script, it travels as it wish with Sriram.If they have faithfully stick to the original I believe this movie might be saved.

Entertaining movie

[karthiksekar · 8 August 2021]

I usually dont write reviews but felt like writing one for this movie as I enjoyed and also likes a couple of songs in it. I found it strange that there are so many negative reviews for this movie. I wouldnt call it a master piece but at the same time is way better than the majority of the tamil movies out there. Its got a good plot and good music to go along with it.