| Director: | Sasi Mohan |
| Screenplay: | K. Bhagyaraj |
| Story: | Ilavarasan |
| Producer: | V. Viswanthan |
| Starring: | K. Bhagyaraj Gautami Lakshmi Mansoor Ali Khan |
| Cinematography: | V. Ramesh Babu |
| Editing: | M. V. Natarajan |
| Music: | Gangai Amaran |
| Studio: | Sree Rajeswari Creations |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Rudhra is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by Sasi Mohan. It stars K. Bhagyaraj, Gautami, Lakshmi and Mansoor Ali Khan.[1] The film was one among the Diwali releases of 1991. The bank robbery scenes of the film were inspired from that of the American film Quick Change (1990).[2] The core plot was inspired from the French film Nikita.
Mayaandi, a dreaded criminal, escapes from prison and guns down Rudhra's entire family. Rudhra learns the truth but the police can do nothing because Mayaandi returns to jail after the murder and has an alibi. She receives a letter her police officer father, sent before his death. He uncovered links between Mayaandi and several powerful prominent people—including police officers and politicians. Rudhra discovers a video cassette with the proof and gives it to the DSP only to discover he is part of the cabal. He attacks Rudhra and she kills him in self-defence. The police arrest her and the incorruptible DSP Lalitha investigates the case. The cabal again pursues Rudhra upon realising that the video cassette they took from her was not the incriminating one. She doesn't know the location of the original cassette but shares the entire story with Lalitha. The two women collaborate when they realise the police department can't be trusted. They also bring in thief Madurai to help them uncover the conspiracy.
The music was composed by Gangai Amaran. The lyrics were written by Vaali and Gangai Amaran.[3]
The Indian Express wrote the film "beguiles you [..] with its quickpaced narration".[4] Sundarji of Kalki wrote the film, despite having so many opportunities for providing thrills and twists, squandered them.[5] The film ran for over 100 days in theatres,[6] and Gautami won the Film Fans Association Award for Best Actress.[7]
Sasi Mohan later directed Sivantha Malar, also inspired from Nikita and again starring Gautami.[8]