The music launch for the upcoming Tamil film “Padaiyaanda Maaveera,” directed by and starring V. Gowthaman in the lead role, was held in Chennai. Gowthaman declared at the event that the film is a biographical account of the late J. Guru, also known as ‘Kaaduvetti’ Guru, a prominent political figure. The film is presented by V.K. Productions and produced by Nirmal Saravanaraj and S. Krishnamoorthy, with V. Gowthaman, E. Kuralamuthan, U.M. Umadevan, K. Bhaskar, and K. Parameswari also credited as co-producers.
V. Gowthaman, speaking at the launch, detailed the impetus behind the film. He stated that the project was initiated in response to a challenge posed after he raised objections to the portrayal of ‘Kaaduvetti’ Guru and a specific community in another film. “When I raised fair questions against the misrepresentation of Kaaduvetti Guru and a community in a film, they painted me with a caste color,” Gowthaman said. He recounted that the director of the other film had suggested he make a film about Guru’s life, similar to his earlier work “Santhanakaadu.” “Accepting that challenge is how this film began,” Gowthaman asserted, adding, “This will not be a film about a single caste, but a film about the Tamil caste. Anyone who is human, beyond caste and religion, will not only be moved in the theatre but their soul will also tremble; they will witness a righteous warrior.”
Gowthaman also outlined his broader cinematic ambitions, stating, “My lifelong ambition is to make films about three forests. One is Santhanakaadu, where Veerappan lived, which I have accomplished. The second is Mundhirikaadu, where Kaaduvetti Guru and comrade Tamilarasan lived; I have now made a film about one of them. The third is Vannikkaadu, where my Tamil national leader Prabhakaran, who is equal to my mother and mother tongue, lived. Just as I have completed two films on the path to my goal, I will definitely make the remaining two films.”
The film features songs composed by G.V. Prakash Kumar with lyrics by Vairamuthu, and background score by Sam C.S. Seeman, leader of Naam Tamilar Katchi, who was a guest at the event, praised Gowthaman’s creative abilities and described “Padaiyaanda Maaveera” as a “creation laden with valor and righteousness.” He remarked, “It was brother Kaaduvetti Guru who said that the unparalleled sole leader of global Tamils is the great warrior Prabhakaran. The fact that Guru himself, whom a vast community reveres as a great warrior, called brother Prabhakaran a great warrior shows that we are of the same blood, the same gene.”
The cast of “Padaiyaanda Maaveera” includes Samuthirakani, Poojitha, ‘Baahubali’ Prabhakar, Saranya Ponvannan, Sai Dheena, ‘Aadukalam’ Naren, Mansoor Ali Khan, A.L. Alagappan, Madhusudhan Rao, Nizhalgal Ravi, Thalaivasal Vijay, and Tamil Gowthaman. Cinematography is by Gopi Jagadeeswaran, editing by Raja Mohamed, dance choreography by Dinesh Master, and stunt direction by Stunt Silva.
Several industry personalities, including directors Vasanthabalan and Perarasu, actor Ilavarasu, and stunt director Stunt Silva, spoke at the event, offering their support and commendations for the film and Gowthaman’s efforts.