“Thamizhan” (2002) is a Kollywood action-romantic film directed by Majith. Other cast members included Vijay and Priyanka Chopra in the lead roles. The story is the fictionalized legal journey of Surya as he fights several landmark corruption cases, challenges a federal government-supported crime syndicate, and eventually liberates the people of his state by demystifying the fundamentals of Indian law through a public release of these principles in the form of a book.
Surya is an easy-going young man whose day-to-day life consists of ending up on the bad side of the law with his petty brawling. As he pursues his passion for law, he falls in love with Priya and, at the direction of his brother-in-law Sakthivel, starts working under senior lawyer Lakshminarayanan. Under his guidance, Surya becomes a righteous attorney in the pursuit of justice. When Sakthivel is killed by crooked capitalist GK, Surya decides to fight to teach the masses what their legal rights are, what they can expect from the law, and how Indian law works, impressing the Indian populace along the way.
Surya shuts GK’s dairy plant Green Kerala Express for violating food safety norms. Surya’s actions expose the reality behind the glitter of startups like GK. Hardly a breath later, his sister Jaya’s throat is brutally cut by GK’s men, but Surya refuses to buckle. GK’s men cause a riot in a village, setting Surya up. He’s subsequently arrested and beaten by corrupt officers, though he refuses to go down without a fight. On the courtroom floor, he represents himself, lobbying for change to the laws. Following his release, GK attempts to shoot him but is thwarted by the people. Surya goes on to win the honor from the President, and in doing so achieves his dream.
“Thamizhan” is an entertaining, above-average action-romantic musical extravaganza starring Thalapathy Vijay and Priyanka Chopra. Through powerful drama, provocative social commentary and moving emotion, Thamizhan provides an electrifying tribute to bravery and self-determination.