Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsHoliday Watch GuideGotham AwardsSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Thalaivaa

  • 2013
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 59m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
13K
YOUR RATING
Joseph Vijay in Thalaivaa (2013)
Watch Thalaiva
Play trailer2:42
5 Videos
28 Photos
TamilGangsterOne-Person Army ActionActionCrimeDramaThriller

A son steps into his father's shoes and has to win a bloody war before he becomes the leader.A son steps into his father's shoes and has to win a bloody war before he becomes the leader.A son steps into his father's shoes and has to win a bloody war before he becomes the leader.

  • Director
    • A.L. Vijay
  • Writer
    • A.L. Vijay
  • Stars
    • Joseph Vijay
    • Amala Paul
    • Santhanam
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    13K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • A.L. Vijay
    • Writer
      • A.L. Vijay
    • Stars
      • Joseph Vijay
      • Amala Paul
      • Santhanam
    • 54User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 win & 3 nominations total

    Videos5

    Thalaiva
    Trailer 2:42
    Thalaiva
    Thalaiva
    Clip 0:44
    Thalaiva
    Thalaiva
    Clip 0:44
    Thalaiva
    Thalaiva
    Clip 0:26
    Thalaiva
    Thalaiva
    Clip 0:26
    Thalaiva
    Thalaiva
    Clip 0:26
    Thalaiva

    Photos28

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 23
    View Poster

    Top Cast44

    Edit
    Joseph Vijay
    Joseph Vijay
    • Vishwa
    Amala Paul
    Amala Paul
    • Meera
    Santhanam
    Santhanam
    • Logu
    Sathyaraj
    Sathyaraj
    • Anna
    Ragini Nandwani
    Ragini Nandwani
    • Gowri
    Rajiv Pillai
    • Raju
    Nassar
    Nassar
    • Ratnam
    • (as Nasser)
    Abhimanyu Singh
    Abhimanyu Singh
    • Bhima
    Y.G. Mahendran
    Y.G. Mahendran
    • Lawyer
    Manobala
    Manobala
    Ponvannan
    Ponvannan
    • Ranga
    Suresh
    Suresh
    • Meera's Father
    Tanu Vidyarthi
    • Unknown
    Subbu Panchu
    Subbu Panchu
    • Ravi Kiran
    • (as Panchu Subbu)
    Rekha
    Rekha
    • Ganga Ramadurai
    • (as Rekha)
    Ravi Prakash
    Ravi Prakash
    • Kesav
    Sathish
    • Dance Crew Member
    Udhaya
    Udhaya
    • Video Kumar
    • Director
      • A.L. Vijay
    • Writer
      • A.L. Vijay
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews54

    6.312.5K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    6bharathsachin

    Could have been better

    The delay of release had affected the collection of this movie..A well written script , but the screenplay was not much good ..The performance of vijay was better..The second half had felt a bit boring ..Overall , the film fails to engage the audience even though it had a well written script..
    8dkemathas

    A different tale from The Darling of Mass

    This venture is different from Vijay's previous films like ''Nanban'', ''Thuppaki'' and ''Velayudham'', but still, it keeps what it has promised. Like Indiaglitz.com stated, Thalaivaa is something between a classy gangster flick or a racy action drama.

    People say Thalaivaa has brought Vijay back to the bottom again, but that's wrong. Some people really have a problem with looking at an actor's films (specially Vijay's) in different angles. Okay, as a fan I admit that Vijay slipped a time when films like ''Azhagiya Tamizh Magan'', ''Villu'' and ''Sura'' came out, but still he came out with four blockbusters in a raw, which are ''Kaavalan'', ''Velayudham'', ''Nanban'' and ''Thuppaki'' and what happened to these films? Aren't four blockbusters in a raw good enough for the actor to come back in track. The fact that people really can't accept this, kind of freaks me out at times. So, here's the fact: This is the truth: Thalaivaa is a different genre, and as everybody know Vijay does an excellent job in his usual genres which are action and comedy. Thalaivaa is a decent gangster drama which tells the story about the change of a common man's life. Simple as that. ''How?'' is the question. There's no doubt that the film was completed beautifully.

    The first official combination between Vijay and G.V. Prakash Kumar was awesome. The soundtrack is energetic and the choreography was mind-blowing. The costumes that are used in this film were also pretty good, specially those that are used in Sathyaraj sir's character and those that are used in Vijay's character in the second half of the film. Santhanam's sense of humor hasn't sunk a percent at all and Amala Paul has shown another side of her acting skills. Abhimanyu Singh was also faithful to his role as Bhima. The film also has another benefit: Unexpected, but needed twists.

    As a Vijay fan, I believe Thalaivaa will be a film all Vijay fans will remember. Perfect title for both the story and the actor and you see the character is born to win. It might not be as great as ''Nanban'' or ''Thuppakki'', but still it's satisfying!

    ''Once we pick up the knife, it will either protect or destroy. But one thing we know for sure is that it's impossible to drop it down.'' - Sathiyaraj
    6nagalajai

    Thalaivaa, from the books of Coppola God father...

    Another movie taken from the books of Coppola's God Father.A story on how happy-go-lucky guy turns into a leader and so on... as simple as it can be.

    Casting: Vijay: Very good acting, real treat for fans to watch him on screen.Throughout the movie Vijay has played a calm and clever sort of persona.First half pays a happy go guy with all good things surrounded by him and on the latter half you can see a wonderful performance from vijay (experience speaks).On the whole vijay has given his 100% for the movie and done his part full heartedly.

    Santhanam: As always laughter guaranteed. Sathyaraj,Ponvannan,Manobala & Suresh: Done what was asked to do, clean and crisp. Amala paul: Need to understand that "Mynaa" was successful also because of the story and the director (tat's it). G.V.Prakash:'Vaanganna' enjoying, Good BG score.Job well done. Nirav: Well crafted visuals gels with the movie be it Australia or Mumbai.

    A.L.Vijay: Movie is good , Very nice characterization for Vijay including the body language.Has taken efforts towards the making of the film.Still failed on making a story that can make people sit right till the end credits keeps rolling.Nowadays the moviegoers have started to study movies and its technical qualities. Though they do not expect new story every time,the story telling trend has to be new. Being only director to direct Ajith,Vikram and Vijay so far, expectations are higher.

    Conclusion: Very fresh and clean performance from Vijay Familiar scenes with repetitive dialogues &Predictive climax. High time for AL Vijay to work on scripts with something new on it.

    Reaction: If India loses a match even after Sachin's century. A definite one time watch for fans and family audience.
    8yadavaram

    I loved this movie's depth, heart, humor, gravitas, action, performances, emotion and payoff.Hats off to both vijay

    Just now watched film!!!Simply awesome!!!Mind blowing performance.Story may god father based but execution was simply superb.I just entered into theater the movie gonna typical political drama & punch dialogues from vijay.It just kicked me off,not at all a single scene related to political,its complete clean entertainer.Vijay performance is awesome.Sathyaraj chanceless performance.Those who say negative about the film just get away,learn to appreciate don't down a person its really awkward.No over hyped scenes for an introduction,really its very normal and awesome.Second half may lengthy but not at all boredom.Overall its a complete family entertainer.Don't miss it!!!!
    5fredberglyle

    Thalaivaa - Time to 'Mis'lead

    Was disappointed seeing this movie after getting a lot of positive responses. Nirav's work was a visual treat, I must say. The comedy is good too. Every film lover is aware of Mario Puzo's Godfather and every Indian must be aware of Mani Ratnam's Nayagan and Thevar Magan. Not another inspiration of these movies. Still I don't find the logic of super-heroism in almost every Indian movie's protagonist. Vijay's character in this movie is no exception to this (like how a dancer can suddenly fight and tear down a whole rival gang and become a leader with no fight history). Was laughing when Vijay's character was called "Neenga", "Vaanga", "poonga" by people much older to him. The movie may be good or even better, if you're a Vijay's fan or not a regular viewer of classy movies.

    More like this

    Jilla
    6.2
    Jilla
    Kaavalan
    7.1
    Kaavalan
    Sarkar
    6.7
    Sarkar
    Pokkiri
    7.6
    Pokkiri
    Nanban
    7.8
    Nanban
    Theri
    7.4
    Theri
    Kaththi
    8.1
    Kaththi
    Thirupaachi
    6.6
    Thirupaachi
    Thuppakki
    8.1
    Thuppakki
    Vettaikaaran
    5.2
    Vettaikaaran
    Ghilli
    8.2
    Ghilli
    Bigil
    6.7
    Bigil

    Related interests

    Kamal Haasan in Nayakan (1987)
    Tamil
    Marlon Brando and Salvatore Corsitto in The Godfather (1972)
    Gangster
    Keanu Reeves in John Wick: Chapter 2 (2017)
    One-Person Army Action
    Bruce Willis and Taniel in Die Hard (1988)
    Action
    James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Sharon Angela, Max Casella, Dan Grimaldi, Joe Perrino, Donna Pescow, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, and Michael Drayer in The Sopranos (1999)
    Crime
    Naomie Harris, Mahershala Ali, Janelle Monáe, André Holland, Herman Caheej McGloun, Edson Jean, Alex R. Hibbert, and Tanisha Cidel in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Cho Yeo-jeong in Parasite (2019)
    Thriller

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The Director of this movie A.L.Vijay and the lead actress Amala Paul got married after this movie.
    • Goofs
      In Tamil Pasanga dance, Viswa's jacket changes from time to time - one with tamil letters and other without it.
    • Alternate versions
      The UK release was cut, the distributor chose to make cuts in order to obtain a 12A classification. Cuts made to remove a focus on violence and bloody injuries, including throat slittings and bloody stab wounds, as well as sight of blood on swords and machete blades. An uncut 15 classification was available.
    • Connections
      Featured in Drishyam (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Tamil Pasanga
      Produced by G.V. Prakash Kumar

      Written by Na. Muthukumar

      Performed by Benny Dayal and Sheezay Psycho Unit

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ17

    • How long is Thalaivaa?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 8, 2013 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Official site
      • Stream Thalaivaa in Bengali officially on Hotstar Singapore
    • Language
      • Tamil
    • Also known as
      • Leader
    • Filming locations
      • Worli fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
    • Production companies
      • Mishri Productions
      • Goldmines Telefilms
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ₹450,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,679,020
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 59m(179 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
      • Dolby Atmos

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.