Thilagar is based on a true story

While Kollywood has dealt with several rural subjects, Thilagar strives to be a unique endeavour. The film is based on a real-life incident and revolves around the rivalry between two groups. Madan M, director of the production house, says, ���The main plot of the film is based on a real-life incident and we have woven a story around it. While the film has two different shades to it, the focus is on the message that crime is not the only solution to solve problems.���
The film, he says, was largely shot in a village near Tirunelveli and one of the highlights was shooting a Dussehra festival live in Thiruchendur.���This is one of the most important sequences in the film. So, we decided to shoot this festival live. We set up a small stage next to the event and shot our portions. It has come out really well,��� he adds. Neetu Chandra has also done a special number in the film that was shot at Binny Mills in Chennai.
Directed by debutant Perumal Pillai, the film has newbie Dhruvva and Mrudhula Basker in the lead roles. Kishore plays a significant role too. Talking about Dhruvva, Madan says, ���He is an architect who pursued his higher education in the US. But films were his calling. He came back to India and pursued an acting course. In Thilagar, he plays a college student who is keen on studying further and taking up a high-profile job. However, he undergoes a series of changes during the course of the film and that forms the crux of the story. In preparation for the role, he observed people in the village to get the local accent right and even travelled on a cycle for a month.���