Thirupathi (2006 Tamil film)

Thirupathi is a 2006 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Perarasu and produced by AVM Productions. The film stars Ajith Kumar, Deepu and Sadha in the lead roles, while Arun Pandian, Riyaz Khan, Sampath Raj in supporting roles.

Thirupathi was released on 14 April 2006. The film received mixed reviews from critics and had a 100 day run at the box office.

Plot
Thirupathi's pregnant sister dies due to negligence by a corrupt doctor, who turns out to be Thirupathi's best friend Soori's brother. Soori decides to protect his brother from Thirupathi, who sets out to nab Soori's brother in order to avenge his sister's death.

Production
During the making of Sivakasi, AVM Productions approached Perarasu to make a film with Ajith Kumar in the lead role. The director immediately accepted the offer and told the film's story to the producer during the meeting. The film was announced publicly two days later. In August 2005, it became clear that the film would begin in November and that Riyaz Khan would play the lead antagonist role in the project. Sadha was signed on to play the lead female role. The film was launched officially on 15 September 2005 with Vijay attending the opening ceremony. This was AVM's 167th film as producer.

For the film, Ajith lost 18kgs in 55 days by being on a liquid diet and lost the weight he had sported on screen in his previous films. The art director erected the set of a village in Prasad Studios in December 2005 including a shopping place, a big temple and an 80 ft statue of Shiva. In early 2006, Asin was approached to appear in a song, but she refused and Laila eventually took the role.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Bharadwaj.

Release and reception
The satellite rights of the film were sold to Kalaignar TV. Sify wrote, "Perarasu and his Tirupati brings nothing new to the table, as even the dialogues, song picturisation and presentation is a continuation of his earlier two films. Sadly, we expected more from his combination with Ajit but the director seems to be obsessed with his do-gooder, larger-than-life hero with a heart of gold who tries to reform the society in his own unique way!". Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "It's yet again about the sister, the mother and a few more sentiments added to it. The audience may get fed up of this repeated scenario being flogged to death. But the director's fascination for his dream subject seems not to allow him to look elsewhere for different material!". Lajjavathi of Kalki wrote the film has influence of Sivakasi may have been avoided. In any case, one thing is true Thirupathi will be a turn for Ajith.