Ondimuniyum Nallapaadanum, directed by Sugavanam, is gearing up for its theatrical release on November 28, the makers announced on Sunday. Backed by K Karuppusamy of Thirumalai Production, the film arrives with the promise of offering a grounded and culturally rich representation of the Kongu region.
Bringing together a debut director, a new producing team, and a fresh cast, the film has been positioned as a sincere attempt to illuminate the lived experiences, traditions, and societal realities of the Kongu landscape.
At the centre of the narrative is ‘Parotta’ Murugesan, who plays Nallapaadan, supported by Karthikeyan, Murugan, Vijayan, Senapathi, Chithra, Koushika, and Tamiliniyan Vikatan. The film delves into themes such as land rights conflicts, labour exploitation, and the socio-political tensions that shape daily life in rural Kongu. It also foregrounds the region’s customs, the worship of minor deities, and the distinct cultural identity of its people.
Speaking about the film’s vision, director Sugavanam explained that the title and central character draw from the Kongu dialect. “In this region, ‘Nallapaadan’ refers to a hard-working labourer—someone deeply rooted in the soil,” he said. He added that the story follows landless workers who revere the folk deity Ondimuni as their family god. “The film explores their spiritual world, the oppression they face, their daily realities, and the life of Nallapaadan. Our aim is to transport audiences into the core of a rural village. This is art for the people—I believe it will resonate with them.”
According to the makers, early viewers of Ondimuniyum Nallapaadanum, including writers and film personalities, have commended the project for its immersive portrayal of village life and its unwavering commitment to realism. The technical crew includes cinematographer Vimal, composer Natarajan Sankaran (NTR) of Moodar Koodam fame, art director JK Antony, stunt choreographer Mass Mohan, and editor Sathish Kurosawa. Amaravathy serves as co-producer.
