Padai Thalaivan is a 2025 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by U. Anbu, starring Shanmuga Pandian and Yamini Chander in the lead roles. The film has dialogues and screenplay written by Parthiban Desingu and produced by Jaganathan Paramasivam under his VJ Combines banner. The film also includes an ensemble cast of Kasthuri Raja, Munishkanth, M.S. Bhaskar, Karudan Ram, Rishi Rithvik, A. Venkatesh, Yugi Sethu, Sreejith Ravi, Aruldoss and others in supporting roles.
"Padai Thalaivan" released in theatres on 13 June 2025.
Production.
Development.
In mid-July 2023, it was reported that "Walter" (2020) and "Rekhla" (2022) fame director U. Anbu will be helming Vijayakanth's younger son Shanmuga Pandian's next project tentatively titled Production #1, who was last seen in "Madura Veeran" (2018). The real-life incident based movie has dialogues and screenplay written by "Natpe Thunai" (2019) fame Parthiban Desingu. The film is produced by Jaganathan Paramasivam under his VJ Combines banner in association with Rajukalidass's Dass Pictures. The technical team consists of cinematographer SR Sathish Kumar, editor S.P. Ahamed, and stunt choreographer Mahesh Mathew.
Casting.
Yamini Chander, grand-daughter of A. C. Tirulokchandar who is known for her roles in "Nenjuku Needhi" (2022) and "Dinosaurs" (2023) was cast as the female lead. The film also features, director Kasthuri Raja in an important role alongside, Munishkanth, M.S. Bhaskar, Karudan Ram, Rishi Rithvik, A. Venkatesh, Yugi Sethu, Sreejith Ravi, Aruldoss and others in supporting roles. It was reported that Raghava Lawrence was approached to essay a cameo appearance in the film, after his interest to work with Shanmuga Pandian. 
Filming.
Principal photography began after a pooja ceremony on 14 July 2023 in Chennai. In an interview with "Cinema Express", Anbu revealed that the first schedule of 20 days got wrapped in Kerala, while the second schedule was then planned to commence by 8 September 2023 in locations like Bangkok and Odisha.
Music.
The soundtrack and background is composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The first single "Un Mugathai Paarkkalaiyae" was released on 30 November 2024. 
Marketing.
On the occasion of Vijayakanth's birthday, on 25 August 2023, the title-reveal first-look poster was released, revealing the title of the film as "Padai Thalaivan". On 13 December 2024, a two-minute long trailer was released, with the song late-Vijayakanth's song "Nee Pottu Vacha" from his film 1989 film "Ponmana Selvan" and his AI appearance. Furthur a dialogue, "If my father was here now, he would ask me to protect the people who trusted me." by Shanmuga Pandian was added as a tribute to his father. The pre-release audio launch event was held in Chennai on 15 May 2025 in the presence of AR Murugadoss, M. Sasikumar, Ponram and other important personalities.
Release.
Theatrical.
"Padai Thalaivan" released in theatres on 13 June 2025. Earlier it was scheduled for 23 May 2025, but got postponed citing screen allocation issues, without informing a specific date. Earlier it was scheduled for Pongal 2025.
Reception.
Akshay Kumar of "Cinema Express" gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote ""Padai Thalaivan", with the potential of pulling off something impressive, ends up being a confused film. The writers' dilemma is whether to pen a film exploring the bond between a human and an animal or an outsider coming to a village to break the shackles of slavery and vanquish the tyrant." Abhinav Subramanian of "The Times of India" gave 2/5 stars and wrote "The film splits itself into two distinct halves that barely speak to each other.[...] Padai Thalaivan has the bones of an engaging adventure but forgets that even simple stories need characters who think before they act." Ka. Dharmarajaguru of "Dinamani" gave 1.5/5 stars, emphasizing on the importance to be given on the story, screenplay and the selection of actors. A critic of "Daily Thanthi" reviewed the film by praising its screenplay but criticized the logical violations.