Thalapathi - The Commander

Thalapathi (1991) (The Commander) (a.k.a Dhalapathi and Dalapathi) is a Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam. This commercial feature film has Rajnikanth and Mammooty in the lead roles, and the theme of the film is that of friendship triumphing over familial ties. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by Ilayaraaja. Cinematography of the film is handled by Santosh Sivan. The movie is loosely based on the Duryodhana-Karna-Arjuna relationship in the Indian epic The Mahabharata.

Plot

Bhanupriya and Rajnikanth from the film Thalapathi. When an orphan, Surya (Rajnikanth) is abandoned by his mother, and left to grow up in a slum, he eventually grows up to be a kind-hearted young man, with a reputation for helping those in trouble and distressed. One day, Surya comes across a woman being molested by another man, and to protect her, he fends off the abuser. However his actions gravely wound the attacker, and the man eventually dies in hospital. Upon arrest and being beaten, Surya is rescued by a local don Devraj (Mammooty), who takes him out of custody. It emerges that the man Surya killed to protect the woman was initially working for Devraj, and Devraj sets a condition that as he rescued Surya from prison, he is indebted to the don. The two eventually become very close friends. Their friendship is tested when a new arrival to the village, Arjun (Arvind Swamy) is determined to arrest Devraj for crimes. Surya sets off on his task to find Arjun, not knowing that he is a figure closely related to his past.

Cast: Rajnikanth , Mammooty , Sobhana , Arvind Swamy , Amrish Puri , Sri Vidya , Bhanupriya

Soundtrack
The soundtrack features 7 songs composed by Ilayaraaja.

Yamunai Aatrile - Mithaali
Raakamma Kaiyathattu - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha,
Sundari Kannal - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Janaki
Kaatukuyilu - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Yesudas
Putham Puthu Poo - Yesudas, Janaki
Chinna Thayaval - Janaki
Margazhithan - Chorus
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