| Director: | R. Parthiban |
| Producer: | Abhi Keerthi Rakki |
| Starring: | R. Parthiban Namitha |
| Music: | Sabesh–Murali |
| Studio: | Bioscope Film Framers |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Pachchak Kuthira is a 2006 Tamil-language film written and directed by R. Parthiban. The film stars himself and Namitha. The title of the film refers to the Tamil name for the children's game known as Leapfrog.[1] It was released on 14 April 2006.[2]
Pachchamuthu, by his own confession, is a ruffian, and due to the fear he is able to whip up, he rules over a slum area in Chennai. He is a sadist, a pervert, and he treats his own mother like a slave worker and swears at her. He is always on the lookout to make a fast buck and has no qualms about doing dirty jobs for others – provided he is paid.
One day, Pachcha walks into a marriage pandal and peeps into the female dressing room through a hole. He sees the rich and fair looking bride-to-be Poovu removing her clothes. After seeing her completely nude, intensely aroused by her voluptuous body, Pachcha plans to have sex with her one way or the other. He beats up the groom, convinces the people there, and eventually marries the poor girl. After returning to his slum with her, he continually subjects her to his sexual whims and fancies.
Poovu, however, turns out to be a kind woman who sympathises with the slumdwellers who are terrified of Pachcha. One day, Pachcha decides to test the loyalty of the colony people by pretending to be dead. But he is shocked to see the entire people in the place celebrating his death – except his mother. This changes him completely. Pachcha renounces his ways and breaks up the gang of ruthless moneylenders. The villagers celebrate.
Soundtrack was composed by Sabesh–Murali.[3]
Rajaraman R of Nowrunning wrote "Parthiban has played to the gallery. He has struck to the recent trend of Tamil cinema, by choosing themes of the slums interspersed with mass support and politicking".[4] Malini Mannath of Chennai Online wrote "A fare that is nauseating, gross and sleazy, an unforgivable assault on the senses. And more than the perversion of the character, what jolts you is the scripting and presentation that is totally devoid of sensitivity and sensibility".[5] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu criticised the film for its verbosity, but added, "Parthiban plays his part(s) in typical fashion. He is more effective when he silently goes about serving the needy. Namita does what is expected of her".[6] Lajjavathi of Kalki felt the first half was nauseating but called the second half as bright.[7]
Post-release, Namitha was reportedly angered that the film showed her as glamorous and sexualised; she had grown tired of doing such roles and accepted the film after Parthiban promised her she would have a strong role, and condemned him for his false promise.[8]