“Ondimuni Nallapadanum”, written and directed by Sugavanam, is a village-based drama produced by K. Karuppasamy with Amaravathy as co-producer. The film revolves around faith, social pressure, and the emotional bond between a poor farmer and his goat. Backed by Natarajan Sankaran’s effective background music, the film maintains a simple and honest storytelling style.
At the heart of the movie is Nallapaadan, played by “Parotta” Murugesan, a lower-caste farmer who strongly believes in the village deity Ondimuni. When he feels that god saved his son’s life, he brings home a small goat to offer as a sacrifice later. As years pass, both the boy and the goat grow up, and this innocent promise becomes the center of conflict in the village and the family.
The film also highlights the caste-based dominance in the village. The upper-class men repeatedly suppress Nallapaadan and trouble him financially. His issues increase when his own son-in-law tries to sell the goat for money, and even his son secretly plans to sell it to buy a bike for his love interest. These emotional and financial pressures add tension to Nallapaadan’s already difficult life.
Among the performances, Parotta Murugesan delivers a convincing portrayal of an aged, helpless farmer holding on to faith. Karthikesan, as Periya Pannadi, and Murugan, as Chinna Pannadi, represent the village power dynamics well. Chithra Natarajan as Thangam brings quiet strength to her scenes. Actors Senapathy, Vijayan, and Vikadan support the narrative effectively, while director Sugavanam keeps the storytelling neat and clear. The BGM by Natarajan Sankaran subtly enhances the emotional beats.
The climax, especially the moment when Nallapaadan’s little grandson opens his eyes, is handled beautifully and connects well with the audience. The film stays true to its village roots, offering a simple narration, a neat explanation of events, and an emotional ending where the goat is finally sacrificed to the deity. Ondimuni stands out for its sincerity, grounded performances, and honest attempt to portray rural life without exaggeration.
