Ponniyin Selvan (2005 film)

Ponniyin Selvan is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language drama film written and directed by Radha Mohan. Produced by A. M. Ratnam, it stars his son Ravi Krishna, along with Gopika and Revathi, while Vidyasagar had composed the music for the film. The film is unrelated to the same-titled novel by Kalki Krishnamurthy. It was released in Telugu as Muddula Koduku and additionally featured Uttej and Venu Madhav replacing the Tamil actors Elango Kumaravel and Mayilsamy, respectively.

Plot
Venu is a middle-class young man who lives in a middle-class area. His life revolves around his mother, sister, neighbor and friends. He has an inferiority complex because of the scar on his face. One fateful day, Venu decides to have plastic surgery to remove the scar. In order to raise money for his operation, he takes up part-time jobs. He becomes harsh and cold and starts to behave strangely with his family and friends. This new Venu shocks everyone around him. The rest of the story is about what he realizes in the process of getting his new face job.

Production
A colony set was erected by art director Vairabalan in Nanakram Guda Cine Village, Hyderabad in fifteen days. The song "Thachukko Thachukko" was choreographed by Pony Verma was also shot at that location.

Reception
Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote that "A fairly neatly packaged film if you want to go in for something different". A critic from Sify wrote that "On the whole Ponniyin Selvan is a sweet and sentimental family drama that moves at a leisurely pace". A critic from Indiaglitz wrote that "Amidst action-packed masala movies these days, Ponniyin Selvan is a refreshing change". A critic from The Hindu wrote that "Creator Radha Mohan has done it again. With almost the entire technical team of his debut film in tow, Radha returns to prove that his `Azhagiya Theeyae' was not a mere flash in the pan". Lajjavathi of Kalki praised the dialogues of Viji, Gopika's performance but panned the unnecessary commercial inclusions however praised the director for boldly narrating a tale of a youngster's struggles and brickbats in society for the screen.