{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox film | image = Perazhagan poster.jpg | caption = Theatrical release poster | director = [[Sasi Shanker]] | writer = [[Singampuli|D. P. Singappuli]] (dialogues) | screenplay = Sasi Shanker | story = [[Benny P. Nayarambalam]] | producer = [[M. Saravanan (producer)|M. Saravanan]]<br />M. Balasubramanian<br />M. S. Guhan<br />B. Gurunath | starring = [[Suriya]]<br />[[Jyothika]] | cinematography = [[R. Rathnavelu]] | editing = [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]] | music = [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] | studio = [[AVM Productions]] | released = {{Film date|df=yes|2004|05|07}} | runtime = 148 minutes | country = India | language = Tamil }}

'''''Perazhagan'''''{{efn|Spelt as ''Peralagan'' on the [[Central Board of Film Certification|CBFC]] certificate.}} ({{IPA|ta|peːɾaɻaɡan|pron}} {{Translation|Handsome man}}) is a 2004 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[comedy drama]] film directed by [[Sasi Shanker]] and produced by [[AVM Productions]]. It is a remake of the director's 2002 [[Malayalam]] film ''[[Kunjikoonan]]'' which itself was adapted from the play ''Vikalanga Varsham'' by [[Benny P. Nayarambalam]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 October 2008 |title=വിജയത്തിന്റെ ഫസ്റ്റ് ബെല���‍ |trans-title=The first bell of victory |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/23323/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226164117/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/23323/ |archive-date=26 February 2015 |access-date=11 February 2025 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]] |language=ml}}</ref> The film stars [[Suriya]] and [[Jyothika]], each in dual roles, while [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]], [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]], Bobby, [[Thalaivasal Vijay]], and [[Devan (actor)|Devan]] play supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]] with cinematography by [[R. Rathnavelu]] and editing by [[Anthony (film editor)|Anthony]]. The film released on 7 May 2004. For his performance, Suriya won the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil]] and [[Jyothika]] won the [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress]].

== Plot == Karthik is a violent college student who madly loves his classmate Priya. In contrast to him is his lookalike Chinna alias Prem Kumar, who is a kindhearted village youth with a [[hunchback]] and is lauded for selfless service to others. He covers up his disability with humor and optimism. Unmindful of his looks, Chinna goes around looking for a suitable bride with the help of his friend Kuzhandhaisamy, a [[Dating agency|marriage assembler]]. Brushing aside many insults hurled at him, he carries on with his life. One day, Priya meets Chinna, who assures her that he will get her married to Karthik for sure.

Priya and Karthik plan to elope with Chinna's help, as her father rejects Karthik. However, she is killed in a fracas by Varadhan, a gangster, as revenge against Priya's father, DCP Nair, who arrested and assaulted him. She dies in Karthik's arms with Nair watching, and Nair arrests Karthik upon thinking that Karthik is responsible for Priya's murder. Chinna saw Varadhan killing Priya, but Varadhan says that he will be killed if he tells anyone what he saw. After Karthik is jailed as Priya's killer, Chinna pleads with Nair and tells the truth behind Priya's murder. Meanwhile, Chinna comes across an orphaned, poor, blind girl named Shenbagam, who is a lookalike of the dead Priya. He won over her heart by helping her out when her brother died.

After Chinna's efforts, Shenbagam gains her vision back. It is revealed that Priya's eyes were actually transplanted into her after her death. This results in a tussle between Chinna and Karthik as to whom Shenbagam now belongs. However, fearing his looks, Chinna decides to give way to Karthik and ends up staying in a temple, where Kuzhandhaisamy finds him and brings him to Shenbagam. Shenbagam does not care about Chinna's looks and accepts him wholeheartedly. Before their marriage, Varadhan returns to seek revenge from Chinna. Karthik arrives at the nick of time, remembering Priya's death; he seeks revenge by brutally beating and killing Varadhan. Karthik gives consent for Chinna and Shenbagam's wedding before being arrested. The film ends with the couple spending their honeymoon in Ooty.

== Cast == {{cast listing| * [[Suriya]] in a dual role as Prem Kumar (Chinna) and Karthik * [[Jyothika]] in a dual role as Shenbagam and Priya Nair * [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] as Marriage assembler Kuzhandhaisamy "Kuzhandha", Chinna's best friend * [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Pattamma, Chinna's grandmother * Bobby as Varadhan * [[Thalaivasal Vijay]] as Shenbagam's brother * [[Devan (actor)|Devan]] as DSP Nair, Priya's father * [[Manicka Vinayagam]] as Karthik's father * [[Kalairani]] as Karthik's mother * [[Sukumari]] as Priya's grandmother * [[Manobala]] as Tea Shop Owner * [[T. P. Gajendran]] as Gajendra, Sneha's father * [[Periya Karuppu Thevar]] as Tea Shop Customer * [[Chelladurai]] as Tea Shop Customer * [[Cell Murugan]] as Murugan * [[Muthukaalai]] as Beggar ;Uncredited * [[Malavika (actress)|Malavika]] in a [[cameo role]] as Chinna's dream wife in the song "Ambuli Mama" * [[Chaams]] as Groom * [[Pandu (actor)| Pandu]] in a cameo role in the song "Ambuli Mama" * Kili Ramachandran as Kili * Boys Rajan as Eye Doctor }}

== Production == {{Quote box | width = 30% | align = Right | quote = I knew if a film was remade one would not get a national award. But I wanted to do the remake of the Malayalam hit [''Kunjikoonan''] in Tamil. That was ''Perazhagan''. But this was for my satisfaction. The hero of the film was much admired by people | source = Suriya on ''Perazhagan''<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S.R. |date=17 October 2005 |title=I am careful in choosing my roles: Surya |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/i-am-careful-in-choosing-my-roles-surya/article27493566.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221118153457/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/i-am-careful-in-choosing-my-roles-surya/article27493566.ece |archive-date=18 November 2022 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> }}

AVM decided to remake the Malayalam film ''Kunjikoonan'' and bought the remake rights after being impressed with it. Sasi Shankar, who made the Malayalam original, was chosen to direct the remake too. Unlike the Malayalam original, where two female characters were played by two different actresses, Jyothika enacted both the roles for the Tamil remake.<ref name="hi" /><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சரவணன் |first=ஏவி.எம். |author-link=M. Saravanan (producer) |date=28 August 2005 |title=ஏவி.எம்&nbsp;– 167! |trans-title=AVM&nbsp;– 167! |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki2005-08-28/kalki2005-08-28.pdf |access-date=2 March 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=44–47 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> The film was launched on 26 January 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2004 |title=AVM's Perazhagan launched |url=http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13370840 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040310084804/http://sify.com/movies/tamil/fullstory.php?id=13370840 |archive-date=10 March 2004 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> This was the 166th film produced by AVM.<ref name="co" /> The film was shot at locations in Kerala, including Ernakulam, Thodupuzha, Kolappra and Kudaiyathur for 25 days.<ref name="co">{{Cite web |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=19 March 2004 |title=Perazhagan |url=http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/perazhagan.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016074522/http://www.chennaionline.com/film/Onlocation/perazhagan.asp |archive-date=16 October 2006 |access-date=13 July 2024 |website=Chennai Online |language=en}}</ref> A village set with modest houses and a temple resembling Madurai was designed by Thotta Tharani at Kudayathur.<ref name="hi">{{Cite web |last=George |first=Vijay |date=1 April 2004 |title=Return of the popular hunchback |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/01/stories/2004040101400300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040526230622/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/04/01/stories/2004040101400300.htm |archive-date=26 May 2004 |access-date=13 January 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> <!-- https://upperstall.com/features/one-on-one-with-suriya/ -->

== Soundtrack == The soundtrack was composed by [[Yuvan Shankar Raja]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Perazhagan (2004) |url=https://mio.to//album/Perazhagan+%282004%29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920035144/http://mio.to/album/Perazhagan+(2004) |archive-date=20 September 2018 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=Mio |language=en}}</ref>

{{Track listing | extra_column = Singer(s) | headline = Track listing | total_length = 22:52 | title1 = Ambuli Mama | extra1 = [[Karthik (singer)|Karthik]] | lyrics1 = [[Palani Bharathi]] | length1 = 4:12 | title2 = Orae Oru Piravi | extra2 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]] | lyrics2 = [[Snehan]] | length2 = 3:58 | title3 = Kadhalukku | extra3 = [[Pushpavanam Kuppusamy]], Sri Vardhini | lyrics3 = [[Kabilan (lyricist)|Kabilan]] | length3 = 5:18 | title4 = Oru Azhagana | extra4 = [[Surya]], [[Savitha Reddy]], [[Ganga Sitharasu]], [[Mathangi Jagdish|Mathangi]] | lyrics4 = [[Thamarai]] | length4 = 4:51 | title5 = Kaatru Enbatha | extra5 = [[Shankar Mahadevan]], Mathangi | lyrics5 = [[Pa. Vijay]] | length5 = 4:33 }}

== Critical reception == A critic from ''[[Sify]]'' wrote, "The film makes you laugh and cry at the same time. However the highlight of the film is Surya as Chinna and he is extraordinary. Here is one of his most lovable performances as the handicap, though as the morose Karthik, he just passes muster. Jyothika is a revelation (also in her first dual role) as the bubbly Priya and the blind Shenbagham. In her first de-glamorised role as Shenbagham she has proved her histrionics. Vivek for a change has a full length role and he brings the house down with his one-liners. Music by Yuvan is average but the background score is good. Director Sasi Sankar has to be applauded for making a feel-good film without any violence, vulgarity or even bad words".<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 May 2004 |title=Peralagan |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/peralagan-review--pclv2Oaidfgdf.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201224326/http://www.sify.com/movies/peralagan-review--pclv2Oaidfgdf.html |archive-date=1 December 2018 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[Sify]] |language=en}}</ref> Visual Dasan of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised Suriya for showing difference in dual roles and the story had unexpected twists. He concluded the review by appreciating AVM for making a film without including an [[item number]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தாசன் |first=விஷுவல் |date=16 May 2004 |title=பேரழகன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2004-05-16/page/72/mode/2up |access-date=19 May 2022 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=72–73 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> Malathi Rangarajan of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "At no point are you allowed to feel that it is the same actor who is playing the physically challenged Chinna and the rough, ardently-in-love Karthik&nbsp;— therein lies [''Perazhagan''<nowiki/>'s] strength".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=14 May 2004 |title=Paerazhagan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/paerazhagan/article28576272.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260309055959/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/paerazhagan/article28576272.ece |archive-date=9 March 2026 |access-date=9 March 2026 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> G. Ulagananathan of ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' praised the acting of Surya and Jyothika, Vivek's humour and Sasishankar's direction.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ulaganathan |first=G. |date=16 May 2004 |title=Peralagan |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may162004/mr3.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041226195440/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/may162004/mr3.asp |archive-date=26 December 2004 |access-date=21 March 2025 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |language=en}}</ref>

== Accolades == {| class="wikitable" ! Ceremony ! Category ! Recipient ! Result ! {{abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[52nd Filmfare Awards South]] | [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil]] | [[Suriya]] | {{Won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 November 2008 |title=Perazhagan (2003) |url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/11sli5.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090418153913/http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/11sli5.htm |archive-date=18 April 2009 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 July 2005 |title=Filmfare Awards 2005 |url=http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/filmfareawards2005.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309172912/http://www.idlebrain.com/news/functions/filmfareawards2005.html |archive-date=9 March 2021 |access-date=5 August 2009 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]] |language=en}}</ref> |- | [[Filmfare Award for Best Comedian&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Comedian&nbsp;– Tamil]] | [[Vivek (actor)|Vivek]] | {{Won}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] | [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] | [[Jyothika]] | {{Won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 2006 |title=Tamilnadu State Film Awards&nbsp;– awards for Vikram, Jyotika |url=http://www.cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/13022006-1.shtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131072633/http://cinesouth.com/masala/hotnews/new/13022006-1.shtml |archive-date=31 January 2010 |access-date=20 October 2009 |website=Cinesouth |language=en}}</ref> |- | [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Lyricist|Best Lyricist]] | [[Snehan]] |{{Won}} |}

== Telugu version == Upon release, NP Films bought the Telugu remake rights of the film. However, the remake was not made and the Tamil film was instead dubbed in Telugu as ''Sundarangadu'', and released on 26 November 2004.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=G. Manjula |date=27 September 2004 |title='Peralagan' in Telugu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/peralagan-in-telugu/article28347467.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230207063743/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/peralagan-in-telugu/article28347467.ece |archive-date=7 February 2023 |access-date=2 December 2019 |website=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jeevi |title=Movie review&nbsp;– Sundarangudu |url=https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-sundarangudu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117033726/https://www.idlebrain.com/movie/archive/mr-sundarangudu.html |archive-date=17 November 2022 |access-date=8 February 2023 |website=[[Idlebrain.com]] |language=en}}</ref>

== In popular culture == Suriya briefly appears wearing Chinna's costume in the song "Palla Palla" in ''[[Ayan (film)|Ayan]]'' (2009).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Ayan |type=motion picture |language=ta |publisher=[[AVM Productions]] |year=2009 |time=17:51 to 17:52 |time-caption=From}}</ref>

== Notes == {{notelist}}

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{AVM Productions}}

[[Category:2004 comedy-drama films]] [[Category:2004 films]] [[Category:2004 Indian films]] [[Category:2004 Tamil-language films]] [[Category:AVM Productions films]] [[Category:Films about blind people in India]] [[Category:Films about disability in India]] [[Category:Films about lookalikes]] [[Category:Films directed by Sasi Shanker]] [[Category:Films scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja]] [[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian films based on plays]] [[Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films]] [[Category:Tamil-language comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]