The ‘Saami Padam’ is back: Tamil cinema rediscovers its oldest heroes
Tamil cinema is experiencing a resurgence of the 'saami padam' (devotional film) genre, with several high-profile projects featuring deities and religious themes currently in development. Industry experts suggest this trend reflects a cyclical return to traditional storytelling motifs that were popular in the mid-20th century.
Why it matters
The revival of devotional cinema indicates a shift in cultural consumption patterns and audience preferences within the Indian regional film industry.
“ Hey karuppan vaaraandaa ,” signals the entrance of actor Suriya in the climax of Karuppu , where, in a near-unrecognisable transformation, he appears as lord Karuppasamy. When the RJ Balaji-directorial released in theatres in May, Tamil cinema embraced a long-lost identity — the devotional film, known in the industry as the saami padam .
Karuppu could be the first sign of a larger revival. Seyon , starring Sivakarthikeyan; Mookuthi Amman 2 , starring Nayanthara; Thamizh Murugan , starring Dhanush; Vettaisaamy , starring Arulnithi; and Jiiva’s untitled project on lord Murugan are some of the devotional films in development. Sources say several such projects will be announced in the upcoming months.
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