Thalaivaasal

Thalaivaasal is a 1992 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Selva. The film has an ensemble cast consisting of S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Anand, Sivaranjani, Bhanu Prakash, Nassar, Napoleon and newcomer Vijay. It was released on 3 September 1992.

Plot
Nachiappan College is considered to be one of the worst colleges of Chennai; everyday violence erupts between two final-year groups. The students are influenced by the local bigwig Beeda Settu (Nassar), who sells ganja to the students and basically rules the college from outside. The first group is led by Sudhakar (Anand) whereas the other one is led by Kalaiarasan (Bhanu Prakash). The college management and the police get tired of that situation. They decide that they need to change the principal. The vice-principal, Chandran, dies to sit in that post but the college management asks the successful Shanmugasundaram (S. P. Balasubrahmanyam) to take the post. His daughter Shobana will study in the same college. The rest of the story is how Shanmugasundaram succeeds in his mission.

Production
The success of the television serial Neela Maala facilitated Chozha Creations' re-entry into the film industry and they gave the serial director Selva the opportunity to direct Thalaivasal. Except S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Nassar, most of the cast was new like Bhanu Prakash and Vijay.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Bala Bharathi, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Reception
The film completed a 100-day run at the box-office. The Indian Express wrote "Debutant writer-director Chelva has taken up a subject with which he does not seem to be familiar".

Legacy
After the film's success, Vijay added Thalaivaasal as his prefix.