The ‘Saami Padam’ is back: Tamil cinema rediscovers its oldest heroes

The 'Saami Padam,' Tamil cinema's oldest devotional film genre, is experiencing a resurgence. In the movie Karuppu, actor Suriya plays the role of Karuppasamy, a deity who undergoes a dramatic transformation. This marks the beginning of a potential revival, with several other films in various stages of development, such as Seyon, starring Sivakarthikeyan, and Mookuthi Amman 2, starring Nayanthara.

Other films include Thamizh Murugan, starring Dhanush, and Vettaisaamy, starring Arulnithi. The trend has also seeped into other forms of Tamil media, with songs like Sivakarthikeyan's 'Velum Mayilum' and Vaaheesan's 'Kaakum Vadivel' featuring religious elements.

This revival is influenced by the significant decrease in the cost of special effects and computer graphics, making it more feasible for filmmakers to produce such films. Additionally, traditional producers believe that the divine will protect them from financial losses, while experienced producers like PL Thenappan argue that cinema cannot guarantee success.

The trend is also gaining traction nationally, with Kannada films like Kantara proving that religious themes can attract large audiences. In response, several high-budget Indian films on religion and mythology, such as Brahmāstra and Mahavatar Narasimha, have gained immense popularity.

The popularity of these films can be attributed to their ability to provide a sense of grandeur, which is essential for big-screen films to stand out from streaming content. Directors like H Vinoth believe that this trend reflects a change in India's political landscape and is likely to continue growing. Film historians like Mohan Raman suggest that modern filmmakers tend to humanise deities, making them more relatable to audiences.

Lastly, big Tamil stars like Suriya and Dhanush are eager to play deities, which helps them reach a broader audience across the nation.