| Polladhavan | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Polladhavan_1980.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Muktha Srinivasan |
| Screenplay by | Muktha Srinivasan |
| Based on | Premada Kanike |
| Produced by | S. Ravi |
| Starring | Rajinikanth Lakshmi Sripriya |
| Cinematography | M. Karnan |
| Edited by | V. P. Krishnan |
| Music by | M. S. Viswanathan |
Production company | Vidhya Movies |
Release date |
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Running time | 135 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Tamil |
Polladhavan (/poʊllɑːðəvən/ transl. The Ruthless Man) is a 1980 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film produced by S. Ravi, written and directed by his father Muktha Srinivasan. A remake of the 1976 Kannada film Premada Kanike, it stars Rajinikanth, Lakshmi and Sripriya. The film revolves around a wealthy merchant who keeps his daughter's nanny, an eyewitness to a murder committed by him, captive in his house.
Rajinikanth initially wanted to star in a Tamil remake of the Hindi film Vishwanath (1978), but as Ravi did not like the film, they decided to collaborate on a different project, eventually choosing to remake Premada Kanike. The film was shot mainly in Bangalore, with additional shooting taking place in Madras, Shimla and Kashmir. It was photographed by M. Karnan and edited V. P. Krishnan, with music by M. S. Viswanathan.
Polladhavan was released on 6 November 1980, Diwali. The film became a commercial success, and was one of many films which helped Rajinikanth to carve out a niche for himself in vendetta roles.