Etharkkum Thunindhavan

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Etharkkum Thunindhavan (ET) is a 2022 Tamil action thriller directed by Pandiraj and produced by Sun Pictures. It stars Suriya, Vinay Rai, and Priyanka Mohan, with music by D. Imman, cinematography by R. Rathnavelu, and editing by Ruben. The film follows a lawyer who fights a pornography racket run by a powerful minister’s son.

Plot in brief
Kannabiran, a Madras High Court lawyer, lives with his family in Thennaadu. The nearby village Vadanaadu and their shared god festival spark a long-standing rivalry. Kannabiran marries Aadhini from Vadanaadu. When a woman from Thennaadu dies after marrying a man from Vadanaadu, the villages’ tensions rise. Kannabiran helps Yazhnila, a woman harmed by Inba (the minister’s son), and investigates a brutal pornography network run by Inba and his men.

Kannabiran’s pursuit of justice clashes with corrupt practices and false evidence. After his father Aadhirayar encourages him to take stronger action, Kannabiran kidnaps Inba’s henchmen and destroys their illegal operation. He exposes the abuse of around 500 women and confronts the people who betrayed trust and dignity. In a climactic confrontation, Kannabiran’s past trauma is revealed, and he ultimately surrenders to the police, claiming he did what was necessary to protect society. The film ends with Kannabiran vowing to return.

Production and release
The project was announced in October 2020 as Suriya 40 and marked Pandiraj’s first collaboration with Sun Pictures. The story, inspired by the 2019 Pollachi sexual assault case, was developed into a mass action film with commercial elements. The title Etharkkum Thunindhavan was revealed in July 2021.

Casting included Priyanka Mohan as Aadhini, Soori as Aadhini’s uncle, Vinay Rai as the antagonist, and a supporting ensemble. Filming began in February 2021, with schedules in Chennai, Madurai, Karaikudi, and Courtallam, and a song shot in Goa. COVID-19 caused a brief delay, but shooting wrapped by November 2021. Post-production continued into early 2022, with the film certified U/A by the CBFC after editing out some violent scenes.

Music and marketing
D. Imman composed the score and songs, marking his first collaboration with Suriya. The soundtrack involved a large team of musicians, with additional vocals from notable artists. The film’s teaser, trailer, and promotional events released in early 2022 generated strong audience interest across Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada markets.

Release and reception
Etharkkum Thunindhavan released worldwide on 10 March 2022 in Tamil along with dubbed versions in Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada. U.S. and India distribution rights were handled by Red Giant Movies (Tamil Nadu) and other regional partners, with Sun NXT and Netflix handling digital rights. The film grossed about ₹175–200 crore worldwide and had a strong opening in Tamil Nadu, with initial reports around ₹9–10 crore on the first day. It received mixed reviews: some praised Suriya’s performance and the film’s social message, while others criticized its pacing, writing, and portrayal of violence. It remains one of the year’s highest-grossing Tamil films.

Home media
Etharkkum Thunindhavan began streaming on Sun NXT and Netflix on 7 April 2022.