Thevar Magan

Don't miss the scenes between our dear Kamal and late Shivaji Ganeshan. It's an incredible movie with the best of best performances by Kamal and Sivaji Ganeshan Sir. Kamal is in top form and unmatchable when it comes to method acting. The movie grows on you scene to scene. Illayaraja's music is apt for the script. Support cast Revati and Gautami have done their best. I grew up watching Kamal and watching this masterpiece after decades made me salute to Kamal and the makers of yester years.

Shivaji and Kamal are two great legends of Indian cinema and if there was a movie that could get them together it had to be a movie as strong as "Thevar magan". Yes it has shades of Godfather but not completely. This story couldn't have asked for better screenplay.Role of Shivaji could be performed only by him. Kamal is often criticized for suppressing other characters in his movies but this is an exception , it has great characterization for everybody in the movie right from Shivaji to vadivelu. PC Sriram is amazing with his camera work and gives us pleasant visuals throughout the movie.The biggest asset of the movie is Illayaraja, his back ground music is heavenly, he brings out the intensity in the scene superbly with his BGM score. The story is already discussed by others but the highlights of the movie are - The Scene were Kamal argues with Shivaji on his decision to leave the village, The Panchayat scene were Nasser shows disrespect to Shivaji and the aftermath, Kamal's entry with the Devar getup(he looks majestic in it), The marriage scene,The Hospital scene were Vadivelu excels as a faithful servant to Kamal,Kamal's acting when he fails to convince Gautami, The climax scene after he kills Nasser. Every dialogue in the movie is carefully and masterly crafted. Bharathan has done a splendid job. Overall it is a movie which highlights the Thevar community in a very realistic way. It will go down as one of the Best movies of Indian cinema.

Wow, wow, wow!!!

Such a wonderful movie i would say. Theme, cast and crew at its best. Sivaji Ganesan vs Kamalhaasan Vs Ilaiyaraja vs Bharathan, who will you vote, i have no idea, this is supposed to called as the Show of LEGENDS. Nasser,Revathi, Vadivelu, Gowthami and every others didn't act but lived.The scene between Sivaji and Kamalhaasan is the best ever seen i have seen in my entire life.Dialogues are razor sharp.Some people claim this movie is inspired from Godfather, maybe but it didn't appear like that to me as this film is more concentrated on the traditional way of Devar(a caste in Tamilnadu).Its more like watching a epic.

U want to know the real meaning of a complete classic movie, go for it.

I bet you will like it.

Over all My rating 10/10.

Asokan, Thevar Magan is no way similar to Godfather... Nayakan is. It was unnecessary to force the comparison because Thevar Magan is a very original story... and brings out the psyche of the Thevar community, their heroism, violence and honor.

Your review otherwise reflected my opinion on the movie. It's one of the few films where every character has been well-conceived. And what a brilliant performance from all!!! Unfortunately, the director of this classic, Bharatan is no more. (He like many of his peers went unsung, largely due to the step-motherly attitude of the POP media (read Hindi dominated media) to regional movie makers. Thevar Magan is a great movie that deserves a hall of fame in the annals of Indian Films.

N Sharma

So far many films are copied or inspired from godfather....but this is the best inspiration!.In fact the best example for an inspiration! The plus of the movie is the actor selection!Shivaji Ganesan as the father of Kamal.....the best possible combination of father-son in India.Shivaji with his memorable performance played his part to perfection.Kamal shines as a writer more than an actor in this movie.Nasser must be specified too..a good performance indeed.The movie looks so good due to the direction of Barathan..a renowned Malayalam director..who made the movie look so realistic and entertaining too!

Music by Ilayaraja.Ilayaraja is always good in rural based movies...and he shines here too.

Photography by P.C.Sriram which won him the national award..really an award winning photography.

Story and dialogue by Kamalhaasan...one of the best screenplays in Indian cinema.Dialogues are so powerful.In climax Kamal saying "pongada..poi pulla kuttigala padikka vaingada"(make your children study...don't let them indulge in violence)is awesome...the relationship between Kamal and Shivaji is explained wonderfully!

Shivaji Ganesan in many aspects resemble Marlon Brando in his acting and Kamal has been inspired by Al Pacino greatly which could be noticed by his acting.With these two great actors on screen with godfather outline..this must be the best inspiration of Godfather..10/10.