# Neethikku Thandanai > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Neethikku_Thandanai > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Neethikku_Thandanai.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neethikku_Thandanai > Source revision: 1344099444 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1987 film by S. A. Chandrasekhar This article's plot summary needs to be improved. Please help do so. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (February 2026) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Neethikku Thandanai Poster Directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar Written by M. Karunanidhi Produced by S. S. Neelakantan Shoba Chandrasekharan Starring Radhika Nizhalgal Ravi Charan Raj Cinematography Indu Chakravarthi Edited by D. Shyam Mukherjee Music by M. S. Viswanathan Production company Lalithanjali Fine Arts Release date 1 May 1987 (1987-05-01) Running time 143 minutes Country India Language Tamil ***Neethikku Thandanai*** (transl. Punishment for Justice) is a 1987 Indian [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language)-language [legal drama](/source/Legal_drama) film, directed by [S. A. Chandrasekhar](/source/S._A._Chandrasekhar) and written by [M. Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi). The film stars [Radhika](/source/Radhika_Sarathkumar), [Nizhalgal Ravi](/source/Nizhalgal_Ravi) and [Charan Raj](/source/Charan_Raj), with [Srividya](/source/Srividya) in a prominent role. It was released on 1 May 1987. The film was remade in [Hindi](/source/Hindi) as *[Kudrat Ka Kanoon](/source/Kudrat_Ka_Kanoon)* (1987) and in [Telugu](/source/Telugu_language) as *Nyayaniki Siksha* (1988).[1][2] ## Plot A doctor is wrongfully convicted of murder after helping an opponent of the tyrannical [panchayat](/source/Panchayati_raj) leader. The doctor's child is murdered when an inspector attempts to rape the former's wife. The victims are then represented in court by a female lawyer. ## Cast - [Radhika](/source/Radhika_Sarathkumar) as Chithra and Sindhuja - [Nizhalgal Ravi](/source/Nizhalgal_Ravi) as the doctor - [Charan Raj](/source/Charan_Raj) as the minister - [Senthil](/source/Senthil) - [S. S. Chandran](/source/S._S._Chandran) - [Senthamarai](/source/Senthamarai_(actor)) as the [panchayat](/source/Panchayati_raj) leader - [S. N. Vasanth](/source/S._N._Vasanth) - Karnan - [Charuhasan](/source/Charuhasan) - [V. Gopalakrishnan](/source/V._Gopalakrishnan_(actor)) - Senapathi - Amjath Kumar - Suruli Vel - Nagaraja Chozhan - Vairam Krishnamurthy - [LIC Narasimhan](/source/LIC_Narasimhan) - [Omakuchi Narasimhan](/source/Omakuchi_Narasimhan) - [Kutty Padmini](/source/Kutty_Padmini) - [Kovai Sarala](/source/Kovai_Sarala) - [Sulochana](/source/Sulakshana_(actress)) - Sri Asha - [Ravichandran](/source/Ravichandran_(Tamil_actor)) - [Srividya](/source/Srividya) as the lawyer - [S. A. Chandrasekhar](/source/S._A._Chandrasekhar) ## Production In the late 1980s, politician and writer [M. Karunanidhi](/source/M._Karunanidhi) was arrested and director [S. A. Chandrasekhar](/source/S._A._Chandrasekhar) thought the law was wrong to do so; this inspired the title for their next film *Neethikku Thandanai*.[3] Karunanidhi wrote the script while in prison.[4][5] The original title was *Idhu Nyayama* (transl. Is this fair?), but Chandrasekhar changed it to *Neethikku Thandanai*.[6]: 17:40–17:50 ## Soundtrack The music was composed by [M. S. Viswanathan](/source/M._S._Viswanathan).[7] [Swarnalatha](/source/Swarnalatha), who made her playback singing debut with the song "Chinnanchiru Kiliye", based on the poem by [Subramania Bharati](/source/Subramania_Bharati), was chosen to sing the song by Viswanathan after he was impressed with her rendition of his composition "Paal Polave" from *[Uyarndha Manithan](/source/Uyarndha_Manithan)* (1968), which he had asked her to sing during the song's audition.[8] The film's "Chinnanchiru Kiliye" is set in [Harikambhoji](/source/Harikambhoji), a [Carnatic raga](/source/Carnatic_raga).[9] Track listing No. Title Lyrics Singer(s) Length 1. "Chinnachiru Kiliye" Subramania Bharati K. J. Yesudas, Swarnalatha 4:50 2. "Paavai Meethu Parijatham" S. Janaki 4:18 3. "Neethane Maharani" Shoba Chandrasekhar, P. Susheela 6:14 4. "Chinna Chiru Kiliye" (Slow) Shoba Chandrasekhar 1:54 5. "Manithargale O Manithargale" Bharathiyar Surendran 4:09 ## Release and reception *Neethikku Thandanai* was released on 1 May 1987.[10][11] N. Krishnaswamy of *[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)* wrote that the "story and narration are so thoroughly mired in preposterous situations". He went on to say, "M. S. Viswanathan has tuned a Bharathi song to good effect, but how come Bharathi agreed to write a song for this film?".[12] [Jayamanmadhan](/source/Subha_(writers)) of *[Kalki](/source/Kalki_(magazine))* praised the performances of Radhika, Srividya and Charanraj, and the dialogues by Karunanidhi, but criticised the film for suggesting that violence will solve problems.[13] Radhika won the [Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Tamil](/source/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Actress_%E2%80%93_Tamil).[14][15] ## Controversy The film became controversial as it was seen as critical of the rule of the incumbent [Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu](/source/Chief_Minister_of_Tamil_Nadu), [M. G. Ramachandran](/source/M._G._Ramachandran).[16] The then ruling party [AIADMK](/source/All_India_Anna_Dravida_Munnetra_Kazhagam), led by Ramachandran, tried to halt the film's release by filing a case that it may disrupt law-and-order in Tamil Nadu, but Chandrasekhar overcame the case.[6]: 22:00–23:25 ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Sri (10 February 2006). Nachaki (ed.). ["Interview : Director Tatineni Rama Rao"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060515121820/http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/tatineniramaraointerview.php). *[Telugucinema.com](/source/Telugucinema.com)*. Archived from [the original](http://www.telugucinema.com/tc/stars/tatineniramaraointerview.php) on 15 May 2006. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Tripathi, Salil; Venkatramani, S. H. (15 June 1988). ["Censorship: Wide disparities exist between censor boards"](https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19880615-censorship-wide-disparities-exist-between-censor-boards-797335-1988-06-15). *[India Today](/source/India_Today)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190820061700/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19880615-censorship-wide-disparities-exist-between-censor-boards-797335-1988-06-15) from the original on 20 August 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Up close and personal with late DMK chief Kalaignar Karunanidhi"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/aug/12/up-close-and-personal-with-late-dmk-chief-kalaignar-karunanidhi-1856623.html). *[The New Indian Express](/source/The_New_Indian_Express)*. 12 August 2018. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200201070219/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2018/aug/12/up-close-and-personal-with-late-dmk-chief-kalaignar-karunanidhi-1856623.html) from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Karunanidhi's tryst with tinsel town"](https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhis-tryst-with-tinsel-town/article24547292.ece/photo/2/). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. 29 July 2018. slide 2. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210219105359/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/karunanidhis-tryst-with-tinsel-town/article24547292.ece/photo/2/) from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Naig, Udhav (30 November 2014). ["'Politicians do not want actors to enter the fray'"](https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/politicians-do-not-want-actors-to-enter-the-fray/article6646860.ece). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210219111421/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/politicians-do-not-want-actors-to-enter-the-fray/article6646860.ece) from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Touring_Talkies_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Touring_Talkies_6-1) [*எம்.ஜி.ஆர் அழைத்தார் - கலைஞர் ஜாக்கிரதையாக போய் வா என்றார் | Chai With Chithra | S.A.C | Part 2*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_yaCN9zcg) [*MGR called and said Kalaignar should go and be careful*] (in Tamil). [Touring Talkies](/source/Chitra_Lakshmanan). 7 July 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20191214072051/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_yaCN9zcg) from the original on 14 December 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2021 – via [YouTube](/source/YouTube). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Neethikku Thandanai"](https://gaana.com/album/neethikku-thandanai-tamil). *[Gaana](/source/Gaana_(music_streaming_service))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210219112036/https://gaana.com/album/neethikku-thandanai-tamil) from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Ashok Kumar, S.R. (8 May 2009). ["My first break – Swarnalatha"](https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/my-first-break-swarnalatha/article3021458.ece). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20150517060208/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/my-first-break-swarnalatha/article3021458.ece) from the original on 17 May 2015. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["ஏழிசை எம்எஸ்வி | பயோகிராபி"](https://cinema.dinamalar.com/msv/) [Seven notes MSV | Biography]. *[Dinamalar](/source/Dinamalar)* (in Tamil). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200626130400/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/msv/) from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2024. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTERathinagiri200767_10-0)** [Rathinagiri 2007](#CITEREFRathinagiri2007), p. 67. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["திரையுலகில் கலைஞர்"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190106010637/https://www.dinamalar.com/karunanidhi/newsdetail.asp?id=8) [Kalaignar in the world of film]. *[Dinamalar](/source/Dinamalar)* (in Tamil). 27 July 2018. Archived from [the original](https://www.dinamalar.com/karunanidhi/newsdetail.asp?id=8) on 6 January 2019. Retrieved 19 February 2021. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** Krishnaswamy, N. (8 May 1987). ["Law in the dock"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19870508&printsec=frontpage&hl=en). *[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)*. p. 12. Retrieved 17 December 2018 – via [Google News Archive](/source/Google_News_Archive). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** [ஜெயமன்மதன்](/source/Subha_(writers)) (7 June 1987). ["நீதிக்கு தண்டனை"](http://archive.org/details/kalki1987-06-07). *[Kalki](/source/Kalki_(magazine))* (in Tamil). p. 13. Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via [Internet Archive](/source/Internet_Archive). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Filmfare Awards 1988 Tamil Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20260227085913/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/tamil/1988/103). *[The Times of India](/source/The_Times_of_India)*. Archived from [the original](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/movie-awards/filmfare-awards-winners/tamil/1988/103) on 27 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Kamal bags Filmfare Award"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19880716&printsec=frontpage&hl=en). *[The Indian Express](/source/The_Indian_Express)*. 16 July 1986. p. 3. Retrieved 27 February 2026 – via [Google News Archive](/source/Google_News_Archive). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Maderya, Kumuthan (2010). ["Rage against the state: historicizing the "angry young man" in Tamil cinema"](https://ejumpcut.org/archive/jc52.2010/Tamil/text.html). *[Jump Cut](/source/Jump_Cut_(journal))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160809043053/http://ejumpcut.org/archive/jc52.2010/Tamil/text.html) from the original on 9 August 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2021. ## Bibliography - Rathinagiri, R. (2007). *Time Capsule of Kalaignar*. [Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam](/source/Dravida_Munnetra_Kazhagam). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [233030854](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/233030854). ## External links - [*Neethikku Thandanai*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1385945/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) - [*Neethikku Thandanai*](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/neethikku_thandanai) at [Rotten Tomatoes](/source/Rotten_Tomatoes) v t e Films directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar 1970s Aval Oru Pachai Kuzhandhai (1978) 1980s Sattam Oru Iruttarai (1981) Chattaniki Kallu Levu (1981) Needhi Pizhaithathu (1981) Nenjile Thunivirunthal (1981) Balidanam (1982) Idhayam Pesugirathu (1982) Om Sakthi (1982) Pattanathu Rajakkal (1982) Palletoori Monagadu (1983) Gedda Maga (1983) Geluvu Nannade (1983) Hasida Hebbuli (1983) Saatchi (1983) Samsaram Enbathu Veenai (1983) Simha Gharjane (1983) Kudumbam (1984) Devanthakudu (1984) Veetuku Oru Kannagi (1984) Vetri (1984) Balidaan (1985) Intiko Rudramma (1985) Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985) Neethiyin Marupakkam (1985) Pudhu Yugam (1985) Enakku Nane Needipathi (1986) En Sabatham (1986) Vasantha Raagam (1986) Sigappu Malargal (1986) Neethikku Thandanai (1987) Kudrat Ka Kanoon (1987) Sattam Oru Vilaiyattu (1987) Ithu Engal Neethi (1988) Poovum Puyalum (1988) Sudhanthira Naattin Adimaigal (1988) Rajanadai (1989) 1990s Azaad Desh Ke Gulam (1990) Seetha (1990) Naalaiya Theerpu (1992) Mera Dil Tere Liye (1992) Insaaf Ki Devi (1992) Jeevan Ki Shatranj (1993) Rajadurai (1993) Senthoorapandi (1993) Rasigan (1994) Deva (1994) Vishnu (1995) Maanbumigu Maanavan (1996) Once More (1997) Perianna (1999) Nenjinile (1999) 2000s Dost (2001) Mutham (2003) Sukran (2005) Nenjirukkum Varai (2007) Pandhayam (2008) 2010s Sattapadi Kutram (2011) Touring Talkies (2015) Capmaari (2019) 2020s Naan Kadavul Illai (2023) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Neethikku Thandanai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neethikku_Thandanai) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neethikku_Thandanai?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.