Sangathalaivan
Theatrical release poster
Directed byManimaran
Screenplay byManimaran
Based onThariyudan
by Bharathinathan
Produced byUdaya Kumar
Geetha Udaya Kumar
Vetrimaaran
StarringSamuthirakani
Karunas
Ramya Subramanian
CinematographySrinivas Devamsam
Edited byG. B. Venkatesh
Music byRobert Sargunam
Production
companies
Uday Productions
Grass Root Film Company
Release date
  • 26 February 2021 (2021-02-26)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Sangathalaivan (transl. Union Leader) is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Manimaran. Based on the novel Thariyudan by Bharathinathan,[1] the film stars Samuthirakani, Karunas and Ramya Subramanian in the lead roles. The music was composed by Robert Sargunam with cinematography by Srinivas Devamsam and editing by G. B. Venkatesh. Produced by Vetrimaaran via Grass Root Film Company, it was released on 26 February 2021.[2]

Plot

Shivalingam is a Communist representative and has a trade union. Rangan is a hard worker at Govindarajan's powerloom. However, Rangan is against Govindarajan. Rangan provides money for his sister's education and motivates her to work, while his selfish parents force her to work in a loom. Govindarajan's niece Kalyani likes Rangan for his genuine nature. Shivalingam introduces the principles of communism and how they fight against society greed. However, Rangan doubts the principles.

One day at the mill, Divya, Kalyani's friend, severs her lower arm after the equipment suddenly drags her saree. Govindarajan and Rangan take her to the hospital. Govindarajan tells Rangan that she eventually will regain consciousness and instructs Rangan to stay with her. The next day, Divya's father laments after seeing Divya's state. Govindarajan informs him that they cannot fix her hand; he tells Rangan to look after Divya and pays Rangan and Divya's father. Govindarajan tells Rangan that the union people should not know about Divya's incident. Rangan pleads, but Govindarajan dismisses it. Rangan eventually informs Shivalingam at a Communist meeting about Divya's accident.

Shivalingam goes to the hospital the next day. They discuss with Govindarajan and his boss agreeing to a three lakh compensation. That night, Govindrajan takes Rangan and Divya's father to a hotel. Govindarajan gets Divya's father drunk, gets his thumbprint on documents, and pays him three lakhs. Shivalingam and his men visit Govindarajan at the hospital and force Govindarajan to write a cheque for three lakhs and give the documents. Kalyani confesses her love for Rangan.

A drunk Govindarajan's nephew inquires with Divya's father, who reveals that Rangan spoke with the union people and got Divya's compensation. Govindarajan argues with his nephew. His nephew informs that Rangan informed the union people to visit the hospital. Govindarajan doesn't trust Rangan anymore. Kalyani tells Rangan that Govindarajan found out what Rangan had done, and she tells Rangan to thank Shivalingam for his effort.

Govindarajan shouts at a young worker, Saravanan, so Saravanan burns the factory. Govindarajan files a complaint, and a police officer beats Rangan at the police station. Shivalingam goes to the station, and Saravanan lies and says that Rangan instigated him to burn the factory. After convincing a judge, the police officer releases Rangan. Shivalingam informs the DSP, and the DSP instructs the police officer to apologize to Shivalingam and Rangan. However, Rangan decides to tell the truth in court, sending Govindarajan to jail.

Rangan stays at Shivalingam's house with his pregnant wife. Divya and Kalyani visit Rangan and are upset. Rangan helps around the farm and joins the union, attending secret meetings and planning strikes. Kalyani meets with Rangan and tells him that her mother is finding a groom for her and that he should ask for a share from his family to start a business. Govindarajan gets released from jail. Govindarajan's nephew informs him that the workers have joined the union. Govindarajan gets angry at Kalyani and Rangan's relationship. Despite his family's opposition, Rangan organizes his sister's wedding. Shivalingam gets arrested by the police and motivates Rangan to lead the strike. Shivalingam's wife goes into labor and gives birth to a girl. Shivalingam's wife tells Rangan to keep leading the strike despite people's pleas. Rangan conducts the strike for the people and rips Govindarajan's shirt. Rangan hides after the police threaten to arrest him.

Shivalingam gets released and goes home. Rangan surrenders to the court and gets 15 days of judicial custody. The collector arranges a wage hike negotiation between the union and the owners. The bosses agree to the union's demands. Divya informs Rangan that Kalyani got married. Shivalingam praises Rangan's revolutionary spirit. Kalyani sees Rangan talking to supporters; that night, Govindarajan and Kalyani's brother discuss killing him to stop him from interfering, which Kalyani overhears. Rangan leaves early during a communist event.

A farmer finds Rangan murdered that night. Shivalingam gets upset at his death. Rangan's murder upsets the entire village, especially Divya, Kalyani, and Rangan's younger sister. Kalyani tells Shivalingam that she heard her brother say he killed Rangan and that Shivalingam should kill Govindarajan.

So, in anger, Shivalingam and his men go to Govindarajan's estate. As Govindarajan's associates escape, the gang surrounds and kills him, avenging Rangan's death.

Cast

Production

The film was announced in October 2017, with director Manimaran and producer Vetrimaaran announcing that they would make a film starring Samuthirakani. Based on the novel Thariyudan, the story was to be set in the areas of Salem, Erode and Tirupur, and was said to focus on the lives of handloom weavers and the struggles they face.[3][4] Ramya Subramanian was cast in the film after being recommended by Velraj and shot for the film in rural Tamil Nadu.[5][6][7]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack was composed by Robert Sargunam.[8]

Release and reception

The film was released theatrically across Tamil Nadu on 26 February 2021. A critic from The Hindu noted "this idealistic take on an ideology lacks verve" and that the film "fails to sell its politics convincingly".[9][10] A reviewer from The Times of India stated "despite having a few interestingly-written characters, Sangathalaivan is another half-baked attempt which relies more on conveying ideologies."[11]

Sify called the film "average", adding "the problem is that the director fails to pack the content of the novel within a two-hour film. The editing is shoddy and we get the feel that several scenes were chopped off to speed up the proceedings."[12] In contrast, News Today noted "Sangathalaivan provides a good watch. The characters shown with various emotions engrosses audience. Had it been less preachy, this sure to leave an impact."[13] Likewise, Cinema Express noted it was "a slow-burn drama that give us the pleasant feeling of reading a novel from the 90s."[14]

References

  1. ↑ "Between The Lines: Writer R Bharathinathan On The Book That Has Inspired The Tamil Film 'Sangathalaivan'". Silverscreen India. 28 January 2018. Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 28 November 2022.
  2. ↑ Subramanian, Anupama (22 February 2020). "'No questions asked it's Vetrimaaran calling'". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  3. ↑ K, Janani (21 October 2017). "Manimaran to direct Samuthirakani". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  4. ↑ "Manimaran's next film titled Sanga Thalaivan starring Samuthirakani". Behindwoods. 8 November 2017. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  5. ↑ "Location Diaries: From VJ to village belle". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  6. ↑ "VJ Ramya to make her debut as a female lead in 'Sanga Thalaivan'". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 17 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  7. ↑ "VJ Ramya wraps up Sangathalaivan with new pic from sets". India Today. 20 November 2018. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Sangathalaivan Songs Download: Sangathalaivan MP3 Tamil Songs Online Free on Gaana.com". Archived from the original on 28 November 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2021.
  9. ↑ Kumar, Pradeep (27 February 2021). "'Sangathalaivan' movie review: This idealistic take on an ideology lacks verve". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  10. ↑ "முதல் பார்வை: சங்கத்தலைவன்". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). 26 February 2021. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Sangathalaivan Movie Review: Despite having a few interestingly-written characters, Sangathalaivan is another half-baked attempt which relies more on conveying ideologies". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  12. ↑ "Sanga Thalaivan review: An average film". Sify. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021.
  13. ↑ Kumar, M. Bharat (25 February 2021). "Review: Sangathalaivan". Archived from the original on 23 April 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
  14. ↑ "Sangathalaivan Movie Review: A fairly engaging political drama despite some blemishes". Cinema Express. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2021.
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