Paattukku Oru Thalaivan

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan is a 1989 Indian Tamil language romantic drama film, directed by Liaquat Ali Khan. The film stars Vijayakanth and Shobana. It was released on 17 March 1989.

Plot
The movie starts with Arivu fighting against some goons, where he meets Shanthi. He gets drunk and is confronted by his mother Shenbagam. When his best friend Vicky asks about his past, his mother tells his story.

In the flashback, Arivu is an innocent son of Veluchami, who is an atheist. Their family has troubles with local M.L.A Marudhanayagam. Arivu falls in love with his daughter Shanthi, who comes to the village for vacation. When Veluchami goes to Marudhanayagam's house with the alliance he is embarrassed by them, Shanthi also denies that she never loved his son. He dies in shock and Arivu is moved to Chennai. He became a drunkard to forget Shanthi.

Shanthi tries to convince Arivu that she is not guilty, but he never gives her a chance. Shenbagam meets with an accident and Shanthi saves her life by donating blood and even paying her hospital bills. Shanthi tells the truth to Shenbagam that she lied that day to save the life of Veluchami, who was surrounded by her fathers gunmen unknown to them. She tried to tell the truth and run away, but was caught and locked up in a room by her father.

Arivu, still not convinced, hates Shanthi. He learns the truth from his mother and also come to know that Shanthi's marriage has been fixed. Shanthi tries to commit suicide and is saved by Arivu.

Cast

 * Vijayakanth as Arivu
 * Shobana as Shanthi
 * M. N. Nambiar as Veluchami, Arivu's father
 * K. R. Vijaya as Shenbagam, Arivu's mother
 * Vijayakumar as M.L.A Marudhanayagam
 * Livingston
 * S. S. Chandran as Singaram
 * Janagaraj as Vicky
 * Senthil as Azhagu
 * Kovai Sarala as Selvi

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Ninaithathu Yaaro" is set in Pahadi raga, it was later used as the title for a 2014 film.

Release and reception
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan was released on 17 March 1989. P. S. S. of Kalki wrote Vijayakanth would have done better if he had paid even one tenth of the attention to the story and the character development instead of the fight scenes and the outfits.