The character of the antagonist Veerabhadran, played by Mansoor Ali Khan, is loosely based on the forest brigand Veerappan.[3] The title of the film was inspired from Velupillai Prabhakaran, the leader of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.[4][5] Upon its release, the film became a blockbuster at the box office.[6]
Plot
Captain Prabhakaran is an IFS officer (Indian Forest Service) sent to Sathyamangalam to nab Veerabhadran, who tortures the people of that place. Prabhakaran is not only going to nab Veerabhadran, but also avenge the death of his friend Rajaraman IFS, who was a forest officer killed by Veerabhadran. The police commissioner and the district collector are corrupt and also support Veerabhadran. In the climax, Veerabhadran kidnaps Prabhakaran's wife and son. Prabhakaran arrives at the right time and saves his wife and son. He then nabs Veerabhadran. Poongkodi was Rajaraman's lover. She dies while giving birth to his child. Veerabhadran is shot dead by the corrupt inspector and collector. Prabhakaran kills both of them. He is then dragged to court for killing the police inspector and the collector. Prabhakaran tells the truth that they were corrupt, and the film ends with Prabhakaran being released from the court.
Cast
Vijayakanth as Captain Prabhakaran IFS, District Forest Officer
After the success of Pulan Visaranai, Rowther decided to make another project with Vijayakanth and R. K. Selvamani titled Captain Prabhakaran, the plotline of the film was based on the forest brigand Veerappan. The film also was the 100th project of Vijayakanth. The filming was held at Chalakudy for 60 days.[7][8] Many scenes were also filmed at Athirappilly Falls.[9] The film had Mansoor Ali Khan in his first major role,[10] for which Karikalan was the initial choice.[11] During the shoot, a rope to which Vijayakanth was bound snapped and his shoulder got dislocated. With both his hands tied he screamed in pain, but this was mistaken for acting, and as a result, there was a delay in getting medical assistance.[12]Saranya Ponvannan was originally cast as Poongudi, but left the film as the role was glamorous;[13] the role went to Ramya Krishnan.[9]
On 19 April 1991, The Indian Express wrote, "The strength of the film is its visual vibrancy and the narrative line too has a great measure of cohesion, despite it being an action film all the way".[17] On 26 April, The Hindu wrote, "Vijayakanth doing his rough stuff with his known felicity, particularly the fights on top of the moving train, the horse riding horde of Veerabadran’s men in Sholay fashion trying to stop him".[18] Unlike other Tamil actors who did not face success with their 100th film, Vijayakanth was considered by N. Kesavan of The Hindu to have broken that jinx.[6] Rajarajan won the Cinema Express Award for Best Cameraman.[19]
^Sundararaman (2007) [2005]. Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music (2nd ed.). Chennai: Pichhamal Chintamani. p. 125. OCLC295034757.
