Parasuram (2003 film)

Parasuram is a 2003 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Arjun. It stars himself, Abbas, Goundamani, Kiran Rathod, Gayathri Raguram, and Rahul Dev in lead roles. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman.

Plot
The case is entrusted to Assistant Police Commissioner Parasuram (Arjun), a patriotic officer tough as a nail. His love is Anjali (Kiran Rathod), who has nothing much to do in the narrative. The bad guy is Akash (Rahul Dev), who sends misguided youths to Pakistan for training and brings them back to subvert our peaceful state. Akash's identity is a secret, while Shiva (Abbas) pops in as Naghulan's (Shyam Ganesh) brother and gives a speech against terrorism. Meena (Gayathri Raguram) is a petty thief who has a soft corner on our macho officer. The rest of the story is all about how Parasuram nails the bad guys with excessive blood spewing.

Production
The film was initially launched under the title Ashoka with Shaji Kailas as director and Samyuktha Varma as the lead actress alongside Arjun. Later Shaji opted out from the film due to creative differences, with Arjun himself taking over direction. The film was dubbed in Telugu as Police Karthavyam in June 2003.

Soundtrack
The songs were composed by A. R. Rahman. The background score was composed by Pravin Mani.

Reception
Sify criticised the lack of coherence in the script and wrote, "It is better if Arjun can invest his time and talent in something that is not as bad as Parasuram". The Hindu wrote, "Writer-director Arjun's intentions are noble. It is the execution that falters, especially in the last leg — for about three quarters of an hour before it is curtains".