Thiru Manickam

Storyline

Thiru.Manickam is an emotional Tamil drama about integrity and moral courage. Manickam, a humble lottery ticket seller in Kumily, lives a modest life with his wife and two daughters. When an elderly man unknowingly leaves behind a lottery ticket that later wins ₹1.5 crore, Manickam faces a life-changing moral dilemma. Torn between using the money to secure his family’s future or returning it to its rightful owner, the film captures his emotional struggle and societal pressures. Directed by Nandha Periyasamy, with Samuthirakani in the lead, Thiru.Manickam offers a touching portrayal of honesty and human values in an increasingly materialistic world.

Tags

Tagline

“When honesty is tested, will conscience prevail”

Motion Picture Rating (MPA)

U

Trivia

• Samuthirakani’s role as a lottery ticket seller was inspired by real-life stories from small-town India.
• The film was shot extensively in Kumily, a town near the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, adding authenticity to the setting.
• Director Nandha Periyasamy aimed to highlight everyday ethical dilemmas often overlooked in mainstream cinema.
• The lottery ticket winning ₹1.5 crore in the film is a nod to popular lottery stories that circulate in South Indian rural areas.
• The film marks a rare collaboration between Samuthirakani and music director Vishal Chandrasekhar.

Goofs

• In one scene, Manickam’s daughter’s school uniform changes color between shots due to a continuity error.
• The lottery ticket number shown on-screen differs slightly in two separate scenes (noticed by fans).
• Some background extras in the market scenes appear in multiple shots as different characters.

Quotes

• “When honesty becomes costly, that’s when it becomes priceless.” – Manickam
• “A man’s wealth is not in his bank, but in his conscience.” – Elderly man
• “You can win a crore in the lottery, but only integrity can win your soul.” – Sumathi

Crazy_credits

• Opening credits show handwritten lottery tickets being stamped and counted, instead of the usual scrolling names.
• The end credits include real-life photos of small-time lottery ticket sellers from Tamil Nadu and Kerala as a tribute.

Connections

• This film thematically connects to Samuthirakani’s earlier socially relevant roles (Appa, Saattai).
• It shares a “moral choice” theme seen in many ethical dramas of the 80s Tamil cinema era.

Soundtracks

• Music composed by Vishal Chandrasekhar, featuring soulful tracks reflecting the protagonist’s inner struggle.
• Notable songs: “Vazhkkaiyin Thedal” (about life’s search for meaning) and “Manathil Unmai” (a motivational theme).
• Background score uses soft folk instruments to represent Kumily’s local culture.