Pugazhendi aka Pugazh (Arjun) is a news reporter working for QTV in Chennai. One day, violence erupts in the city following a communal clash which disrupts normal life. The Chief Minister (CM) of the state, Aranganathan (Raghuvaran), informs the police over wireless not to arrest the protestors as they belong to his community and political party. Pugazh hears the CM’s message to police while covering the riots and records it. Pugazh meets a village girl, Thenmozhi (Manisha Koirala), and falls in love with her. But her father (Vijayakumar) does not accept the marriage proposal as he wants to get Thenmozhi married only to a government employee.
One day, QTV arranges for a live interview with the CM and the anchor does not turn up at the last moment. Pugazh is thrilled and excited as he gets the opportunity to interview the CM. During the course of the interview, Pugazh unmasks many events done by the CM and his party against the welfare of the state and for political reasons with necessary evidences. The CM gets angry and challenges Pugazh to accept his post for a day so that he will realize the pressures faced on a daily basis. Pugazh after brief trepidation accepts the challenge provided the constitution permits. Law makers confirm that such a provision is possible and Pugazh is sworn in as the CM for 24 hours.
To everyone’s surprise, Pugazh does not prefer speaking to the waiting media crew but gets into action immediately by collecting a list of irresponsible civil servants and issues suspension letters immediately. He helps poor people rightfully reclaim houses allotted by the government. He requests every Indian citizen to pay all required taxes even if it is for a day highlighting the effects of avoiding the same. Mayakrishnan (Manivannan), a honest official, is the government secretary and helps Pugazh through his one day mission. Finally, Pugazh digs a case of corruption against the ruling party leading to the arrest of Aranganathan.
The next day, Aranganathan becomes the CM and cancels all orders issued from the previous day. He is furious and sends goons to kill Pugazh who escapes with heavy injuries. Aranganathan’s image is tarnished before the public and coalition parties withdraw their support resulting in disolving the government and leading to another election.
A huge crowd gathers in front of Pugazh’s house requesting him to contest in the upcoming election. Other political parties also come forward to offer their support for their own reasons. Thenmozhi's father requests Pugazh to stay away from politics so that his daughter will have a peaceful life. Moved by the support pouring in from all corners Pugazh decides to contest the election. Pugazh’s party sweeps the elections and he resumes his mission again.
Aranganathan and other politicians unite as they are worried by the change of events. A bomb planted in Pugazh's house to kill him unfortunately claims the lives of his parents. Aranganathan has his men plant bombs across Chennai and informs Pugazh. Though the bomb squad diffuse most of the bombs, Aranganathan blames Pugazh to be the man behind the entire episode and claims it as a ploy to win public support.
Pugazh realizes he will be prevented from performing his duties and invites Aranganathan to his office. As their conversation progresses,Pugazh pulls out a gun and shoots himself without causing any major injuries. He throws the gun to Aranganathan who catches it out of reflex. At the same time security guards rush in hearing gunfire and see Aranganathan pointing the gun at Pugazh. The guards shoot Aranganathan to save Pugazh.
Pugazh feels glad he can continue his mission without being interrupted but also feels guilty for having staged a false incident to kill Aranganathan. He confesses to Mayakrishnan that even he has been forced to play the game of politics. Mayakrishnan supports him saying that it has only been done for a good cause. Thenmozhi's father consents to the marriage.
The movie ends showing Tamil Nadu as a developed state under the rule of Pugazh with world class infrastructures and free of violence.
Cast
Production
Following the success of
Jeans (1998), Shankar chose to make a political action film.
[5] The lead role was initially written with
Rajinikanth in mind, but he was unwilling to star in the film.
[7][8] Vijay was also considered by Shankar for the role, though the actor turned the offer down.
[9][10][11] Shankar revealed that he even approached
Kamal Haasan for the film but he was doing
Hey Ram at that time.
[12] Arjun, who had previously collaborated with Shankar in
Gentleman (1993), was willing to offer bulk schedule dates for the film and was subsequently signed on.
[13] Shankar noted that he was interested in casting
Meena in the leading role, but opted against doing so as the actress was working with Arjun in another film in the same period,
Rhythm (2000).
[14] Subsequently
Manisha Koirala, who worked with Shankar in
Indian, was selected to play Arjun's heroine.
Raghuvaran was signed to play the chief antagonist in the film, while
Vadivelu and
Manivannan were also chosen to play other characters. Despite reports that
Shilpa Shetty was added to the cast in February 1999, it was later clarified to be untrue.
[15]Laila, who had made her acting debut earlier in the year with
Kallazhagar, was signed on to portray the role planned with Shetty instead.
[16] Originally her role was supposed to feature throughout the film, but Shankar shortened her character owing to her callsheet problems. Renowned
muralist Natanam and Kalairani were casted as Arjun's parents.
[17][18][19] S. Sashikanth who went on to produce films like
Thamizh Padam (2010) and
Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014) and K. R. Mathivaanan who directed
Aridhu Aridhu (2010) worked as assistant directors.
[20][21]
The film was launched in October 1998 at an event well attended by actors and technicians from the Tamil film industry, with noted actors
Rajinikanth and
Kamal Haasan being the special invitees.
[22] Production continued for several months, with reports suggesting that the film was delayed due to Manisha Koirala's unavailability though Shankar later stressed the production work demanded such delay. Parts of the film were also shot in
Bikaner,
Rajasthan while the team also shot extensively in rural
Tamil Nadu.
[23] The film's cinematographer later noted that the scenes involving crowds shot on
Anna Salai,
Chennai were among the hardest and most satisfying scenes he had worked on.
[24] The song "
Shakalaka Baby" was the last song to be shot, with
Sushmita Sen selected to feature in a special appearance for the song.
[25][26] Stunt master Peter Hein revealed that he worked as a body double for Arjun in the scene where he had to run nude on the streets.
[27]
