Pudhupettai, the gritty 2006 gangster drama directed by Selvaraghavan and starring Dhanush, is all set to return to the big screen with a theatrical re-release on July 26. The film, which has gained a cult following over the years, was Selvaraghavan’s second directorial venture and marked his third collaboration with Dhanush.Set in the underbelly of North Chennai, Pudhupettai follows the dark and intense journey of Kokki Kumar, a young man who flees home after witnessing his father’s brutal murder of his mother. What follows is his rise through the ranks of Chennai’s criminal underworld, culminating in a complex entanglement with politics and power. Dhanush’s raw performance as Kokki Kumar was widely praised and remains one of his most iconic roles.
Apart from Dhanush, the film also starred Sonia Agarwal, Sneha, Azhagam Perumal, Prudhvi Raj, Nithish Kumar, and Munnar Ramesh. Notably, the film also featured a brief appearance by Vijay Sethupathi, long before his breakout performance in Naduvula Konjam Pakkatha Kaanom (2012).
Pudhupettai is remembered not just for its storytelling and intense violence, but also for its powerful soundtrack composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja. Songs like “Enga Yeriya”, “Variya”, and “Oru Naalil” have become cult favourites among Tamil cinema fans. Lyricist Na Muthukumar penned all the songs, and the soulful track “Oru Naalil”, sung by Yuvan himself, was even reused in the 2024 film Star starring Kavin. The legendary Kamal Haasan also lent his voice for the fiery number “Neruppu Vaayinil.”
This re-release gives fans of Tamil cinema a chance to revisit one of its boldest and most influential films on the big screen. The Dhanush–Selvaraghavan collaboration, which began with Thulluvadho Ilamai, has since produced notable works like Kadhal Kondein, Mayakkam Enna, and Naane Varuvean.