A cutting-edge, critically acclaimed film that has achieved a cult status over time turned 30 on Thursday (October 23, 2025). Kuruthipunal, released during Deepavali in 1995, was quite the rage among college goers and the larger band of fans and the public.
The Kamal Haasan-Arjun starrer, directed by ace cinematographer P.C. Sreeram, was a remake of Govind Nihalani’s much-acclaimed Droh Kaal. The story about cops, the Naxal movement, friendship, trust, betrayal and bloodshed, was handled deftly through a taut screenplay.
Back in the Madras of the 1990s, the ultimate tribute for a Tamil film was the following remark: “English padam mathiri irunthathu” (It was like an English film). Kuruthipunal earned that comment from those who thronged the theatres, and even Ananda Vikatan, finicky in giving marks, gave it 45 out of 100, a good score by the magazine’s standards.
The emotional action flick also offered many dialogues that have become part of Tamil pop culture. The lines about veeram (bravery), breaking-point and Kamal’s dialogues in the gut-wrenching climax, are all uttered even now, and some have found space in contemporary films. The movie has acquired a larger-than-life meta-feel over the years with nostalgia adding a distinct sheen.
Shot like a noir film, and without songs, a commercial risk that Kamal, as the producer, bravely took, Kuruthipunal hit the sweet spot in urban centres. Devi on Mount Road was all agog, and a Pallavan bus that went past institutions like Loyola, Women’s Christian College and Ethiraj, brought in the young brigade by the droves for the noon show. Afternoon classes were skipped, and the next day, sheepish excuses were offered to irate professors, but it was all par for the course.
Kamal, with a penchant for making his favourite directors act in his films, made K. Viswanath play a crucial role. Years later, he made his mentor K. Balachander act in Uttama Villain. Nassar as the antagonist, was menacing, and his interrogation scene by Kamal, is one for the ages. Arjun played his part well; known as the ‘Action King’, he was the perfect foil to Kamal. Gouthami and others held their space too even if the movie was largely about men and their motives and conflicts.
Kuruthipunal won many awards and remains to this day, a slick film with the right doses of action, suspense and an emotional heartbeat. It broke through the usual commercial clutter of five songs and three fights, and carved a unique path. It is a movie that has aged well, and one that will hold a distinct edge in Kamal’s varied filmography.
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