Siruthai

Siruthai (transl. Cheetah) is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Siva, who is also one of its co-writers. It is a remake of the 2006 Telugu film Vikramarkudu, directed by S. S. Rajamouli. It stars Karthi playing dual roles, alongside Tamannaah Bhatia and comedian Santhanam. The film was produced by K. E. Gnanavelraja and features music by Vidyasagar. The story revolves around "Rocket" Raja, a petty thief who comes across a little girl says that he's her father. When he learns the truth about his lookalike Rathnavel Pandian, who's an honest cop, he decides to turn a new leaf and help get rid of a crime gang.^[3]

Siruthai
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Siva
Written by	Siva T. Senthil Kumaran M. Chandran (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Siva
Story by	V. Vijayendra Prasad
Based on	Vikramarkudu by S. S. Rajamouli
Produced by	K. E. Gnanavel Raja S. R. Prakash Babu S. R. Prabhu
Starring	Karthi Tamannaah Bhatia Santhanam
Cinematography	R. Velraj
Edited by	V. T. Vijayan
Music by	Vidyasagar
Production company	Studio Green
Distributed by	Studio Green
Release date	14 January 2011 (2011-01-14)
Running time	160 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil
Budget	₹11–13 crore[1][2]
Box office	₹30 crore[citation needed]

It was released during Pongal on 14 January 2011. Generally the film got positive responses, and was a success at the box office.^[4][5] In 2024, the film made its official debut on Blu-ray in the United Kingdom.^[6] The success of the film led to the director Siva being known as "Siruthai Siva" from then on.^[7]

Plot

Rocket Raja, a small-time thief, indulges in pickpocketing and robberies with his partner Kaatu Poochi in Chennai. While attending a wedding, Raja encounters Swetha, a charming woman. He playfully flirts with her and even teases her, which she pretends to dislike. Raja openly admits his thieving lifestyle but promises to change, though he resolves to execute one final heist to secure a large sum of money.

At a railway station, Raja and Poochi deceive a woman into entrusting them with a trunk, which they flee with. However, when a police officer inspects the stolen trunk, he finds a young girl, Divya, inside. The child believes Raja to be her father, and when the officer discovers a photograph of her with Raja’s doppelgänger, he forces Raja to take responsibility for her while keeping a close watch. Raja, attempting to get rid of Divya, struggles to keep Swetha from discovering the child’s presence.

Over time, Raja grows fond of Divya and begins to care for her. However, Swetha and her family overhear Divya calling Raja her father, leading Swetha to believe that Raja has been lying about his past. Heartbroken, she leaves him. Meanwhile, a group of goons attacks Raja and Divya, mistaking Raja for Rathnavel Pandian IPS, Divya’s real father and Raja’s lookalike. Though the police attempt to intervene, they are overpowered. Eventually, Rathnavel Pandian himself arrives, saving Raja and Divya but sustaining severe injuries in the process. In the hospital, Rathnavel Pandian’s past is revealed.

In a flashback, Rathnavel Pandian is assigned to Devipur, where he arrives with his motherless daughter, Divya. He is introduced to his colleagues, including officer Rathnavel Pandian. The town suffers under the tyranny of a ruthless MLA, Bhavuji, who engages in corruption, extortion, and numerous illegal activities. Bhavuji’s son, Munna, kidnaps and molests a police officer’s wife, prompting Rathnavel to intervene. He arrests Munna, unaware of Bhavani’s vast political influence.

The corrupt Home Minister and the DGP, bowing to political pressure, force Rathnavel to release Munna, declaring him mentally unstable. At a celebratory party for Munna’s release, Rathnavel tricks him into accidentally hanging himself with a belt, leading to his death. Furious, Bhavuji seeks revenge. On Holi, Bhavuji’s brother Bhadra disguises himself as an idol and stabs Rathnavel before shooting him. Though presumed dead, he survives with a brain injury. The villagers secretly protect him and send him to Chennai for treatment. To keep Divya from knowing the truth, the police officials decide to leave her in the care of Raja, who resembles Rathnavel.

In the present, Rathnavel Pandian succumbs to his injuries. To avenge his death, Raja impersonates him and returns to Devipur, setting his sights on Bhavuji. As Raja battles Bhavuji’s forces, Poochi and the others reveal the truth to Swetha, who reconciles with Raja and agrees to raise Divya with him. Raja burns down Bhavuji’s liquor factory and encourages the villagers to seize his food supplies. After defeating Bhavuji’s men, Raja personally thrashes Bhavuji. Meanwhile, Bhadra kidnaps Swetha and Divya, but Raja overpowers and kills him.

With revenge fulfilled, Raja starts a new life with Swetha, Divya, and Poochi, leaving his past behind.

Cast

• Karthi in a dual role as
  • Rocket Raja, a skilled pickpocket
  • DSP Rathnavel Pandian, an honest and courageous police officer
• Tamannaah Bhatia (voice: Savitha) as Swetha, Raja's love interest
• Santhanam as Kaatu Poochi, Raja's friend
• Baby Rakshana as Divya Rathinavel Pandian, Ratnavel's daughter
• Avinash as Bavuji, a don of Devipattinam
• Rajeev Kanakala as Inspector Bharath
• Amit Tiwari as Munna, Bavuji's son
• Supreeth as Bhadra, Bavuji's brother
• Manobala as Bhoom Bhoom, Bavuji's accountant
• Meera Krishnan as Swetha's mother
• Santhana Bharathi as Home Minister
• Mayilsamy as Toilet Patron (IT Office)
• Meghna Nair as Inspector Jhansi
• Bhanu Chander as DGP
• Vinayakan as Bavuji's henchman
• Nellai Siva as Doctor
• Master Bharath as Wedding guest
• Kadhal Saravanan as Wedding guest
• Fish Venkat as Bavuji's henchman
• Sreenu as Bavuji's henchman
• Raghu as Acid Raja, Bavuji's henchman

Cameo appearance

• Meghna Naidu in the song "Azhaga Poranthuputta"
• Bhumika Chawla as Rathnavel Pandian's wife (uncredited photo appearance)

Production

In 2008, reports emerged that Vikramarkudu would be remade in Tamil with Karthi. Anushka, who acted in original, was considered for the female lead. Suraj of Thalai Nagaram was said to be the director.^{[citation needed]} V. V. Kathir who directed Jiiva starrer Thenavattu was also announced as director but Sivakumar advised Karthi to do strong characters before making a mark as action hero thus the project was dropped.^{[citation needed]} The project was revived in 2010 and Siva, who directed films like Souryam and Sankham, was selected as director making his debut in Tamil.^{[citation needed]} Tamannaah Bhatia was chosen as heroine after Paiyaa.^{[citation needed]}

Music

Siruthai
Soundtrack album by Vidyasagar
Released	20 December 2010 (2010-12-20)
Recorded	Varsha Vallaki Studios
Genre	Film soundtrack
Language	Tamil
Label	Venus Records & Tapes
Producer	Vidyasagar
Vidyasagar chronology
Kaavalan (2010) Siruthai (2010) Ilaignan (2010)

The soundtrack album to the film was composed by Vidyasagar and features five songs. It was described as "bland" by Rediff.com,^[8] while Sify called it "catchy and youthful".^[9]

No.	Title	Lyrics	Performer(s)	Length
1.	"Naan Romba Romba"	Na. Muthukumar	Ranjith
2.	"Chellam Vada Chellam"	Na. Muthukumar	Udit Narayan, Roshan & Surmukhi Raman
3.	"Azhagha Poranthuputa"	Viveka	Malathy Lakshman & Priyadharshini
4.	"Thalattu"	Arivumathi	Srivadhini Thaman
5.	"Adi Rakkamma Rakku"	Pa. Vijay	Ranjith, Suchitra & Roshan

Reception

Critical response

Sify claimed that Siruthai had "come out as a festival bonanza for Tamil film goers. It is an unpretentious commercial pot boiler with ample doses of romance, comedy, action and emotion".^[9] N. Venkateswaran from The Times of India deemed a score of 2.5/5, citing that it "does not do anything for Karthi as an actor; what it does is to cement his position in the Tamil film industry as an actor who is a big draw at the box office".^[10] Malathi Rangarajan from The Hindu noted: "Generally, well-told cop stories don't bite the dust. Nor do dual role bonanzas. Going by the norm, this Siruthai should charge ahead!"^[11]