Thevar Magan

Thevar Magan

Year: 1992

Runtime: 160 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: Bharathan

Drama

London-educated Saktivelu returns to India and wants to open a chain of restaurants in Chennai. His father, however, wishes that he would stay back and help the villagers.

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Timeline & Setting – Thevar Magan (1992)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Thevar Magan (1992). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1990s

Set in the early 1990s, the film situates a traditional Tamil village on the cusp of change. Local power dynamics, feudal loyalties, and modern influences collide as characters pursue education, economic opportunities, and social reform. The era mirrors a transition from old hierarchies to newer notions of leadership and justice.

Location

Theni district, Tamil Nadu, India

The story unfolds in a close-knit rural village in the Theni district, where agricultural life and age-old feuds shape daily existence. The village is defined by its temple, panchayat, and sprawling farms, which together form the social fabric. Feuding families and loyalties drive tensions, while moments of tradition and ceremony punctuate everyday life.

🏞️ Village 🏛️ Rural Tamil Nadu 🕌 Temple town

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:26

Main Characters – Thevar Magan (1992)

Meet the key characters of Thevar Magan (1992), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Sakthivel (Sakthi) – Kamal Haasan

The educated son returning from London who seeks to modernize the village and unite warring factions. He weighs tradition against reform, and his decisions drive the plot toward reconciliation and reform. His leadership evolves from protective to authoritative as he inherits his father’s duties.

🎭 Protagonist 👑 Leader

Panchavarnam – Revathi

The daughter of a prominent family who becomes Sakthi’s partner and symbol of a bridging force between generations. She carries the weight of social expectations while supporting Sakthi’s efforts to reform the village. Her relationship with Sakthi adds emotional depth to the conflict.

❤️ Partner 🏛️ Social figure

Maya Thevar – Nassar

A patriarch with a strong grip on tribal and village power. His feud with Periya Thevar shapes much of the conflict, and his aggressive strategies push Sakthi toward decisive action. His influence extends through family networks, complicating loyalties.

🗡️ Antagonist 🧠 Power broker

Periya Thevar – Sivaji Ganesan

The respected village chief and elder patriarch whose authority is challenged by Mayan’s schemes. His death marks a turning point, compelling Sakthi to assume leadership. He embodies the weight of tradition and the responsibilities of rulership.

🏛️ Patriarch 🕊️ Authority

Mayan Thevar – (no slug)

The scheming rival whose manipulations threaten village harmony. His attempts to consolidate power through coercion and manipulation provoke Sakthi’s resolve to protect the community. His downfall becomes a catalyst for the village’s reckoning with its own past.

🗡️ Villain 💥 Instigator

Esakki – Vadivelu

Sakthi’s loyal friend and servant who helps access the closed temple. He embodies the village’s vernacular humor and loyalty, providing support during crises. His injury during a crackdown becomes a turning point in Sakthi’s approach to conflict.

🤝 Ally 🗺️ Local helper

Paramasivam – Kaaka Radhakrishnan

A cautious elder and Mayan’s maternal uncle who reluctantly opens up land for the villagers. His fear of Mayan’s retaliation drives him to seek compromise, reflecting the pressures of feudal politics on ordinary people.

🧭 Mediator 🤝 Landowner

Chinna Thevar – Kaaka Radhakrishnan

A member of the same faction as Periya and Mayan, representing the extended family network that sustains the feud. His actions illustrate the reach of loyalties in rural power structures.

👥 Family figure 🗡️ Feud participant

Muthuvel – Thalaivasal Vijay

Sakthi’s elder brother, a complex figure whose drinking problem parallels the village’s own self-destruction. His conduct influences the family’s reputation and Sakthi’s path toward leadership.

🧍 Brother 🧭 Influence

Bhanu (Bhanumathi) – Gautami Tadimalla

Sakthi’s westernized girlfriend who challenges local norms and offers a different perspective on life and love. Her presence highlights the clash between modern aspirations and traditional constraints.

💞 Lover 🧭 Modern thought

Maya Thevar’s mother – S. N. Lakshmi

A matriarch whose role demonstrates the social fabric of the village. She embodies the generational continuum of tradition and care within the community.

👵 Matriarch 🧬 Tradition

Maya Thevar’s daughter – Neelima Rani

A young member of Maya Thevar’s family who represents the newer generation affected by the feuds. Her life and potential marriage considerations underscore the gendered impacts of village politics.

👧 Heir 🧭 Change

Kanakku – Sangili Murugan

A figure from the village’s power structure whose actions reflect the cunning and calculation that keep the feud alive. His role adds complexity to the political landscape.

🧠 Strategist 🗳️ Power broker

Renuka – Renuka

A supporting village resident who contributes to the social texture and helps to illustrate the community’s daily concerns. Her presence adds authenticity to the setting.

🧑‍💼 Support 🏘️ Community

Kallapart Natarajan – Paramasivam

Note: Already listed as Paramasivam in cast; included here to reflect alternate naming in the cast list. Represents landowner influence and cautious diplomacy in village politics.

🧭 Mediator 🏞️ Landholder

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:26

Major Themes – Thevar Magan (1992)

Explore the central themes of Thevar Magan (1992), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👑 Leadership

Sakthi steps into the role of village leader, balancing respect for tradition with practical reforms. He tries to break the cycle of vengeance by championing education, open temple access, and fair treatment for all villagers. The theme explores what it means to lead a community with deep-rooted rivalries, yet a desire for peaceful progress.

🕊️ Peace vs. Feud

The film centers on how long-standing feuds erode trust and cause collateral damage across families. Sakthi seeks to quell violence through dialogue and legal channels, but not without personal risk. The narrative questions whether peace can be achieved without acknowledging past grievances.

🌱 Tradition vs. Modernity

The arrival of Sakthi’s westernized partner and the emphasis on education clash with feudal mindsets. The film juxtaposes temple rituals and local customs with aspirations for modernization and inclusive practices. It highlights the tension between preserving heritage and embracing progress.

🛡️ Justice and Sacrifice

The protagonist faces moral choices about law, loyalty, and personal risk. Sacrifices are made for the greater good, including attempts to protect the vulnerable and ultimately facing consequences for one’s actions. The story frames justice as a communal responsibility rather than mere retaliation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 17:26

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