Thandavam is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language action film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by S. Suresh Babu, and produced by Johny Sagariga. It stars Mohanlal, Kiran Rathod, Nedumudi Venu, Captain Raju, Sai Kumar, Manoj K. Jayan, and Jagadish. Released in 86 centers, Thandavam was released to high expectations and had the highest opening-day collection at the box office in the history of Malayalam cinema at the time, although it failed to maintain it further and ended up an average grosser. The film was dubbed into Tamil and released as Erumugam. Plot The story centers on Kasinathan, a pragmatic but playful businessman keen on general welfare of his men, and also running a resort and massage parlour as a side business. Kasinathan is the younger brother of Swaminathan, the heir to Valiyamangalam Malika and the head of erstwhile feudal Midhilapuri. Midhilapuri is an idyllic village prospered through judicious use of agriculture as the path to good life. Kasinathan is powerful in his own right and is tipped to succeed influential politician Menon in Kerala politics. Kasinathan has a secret admirer in the form of a mysterious girl who drops messages and love hints every day. But Kasinathan has still better issues to worry about!. The burning issue of providing drinking water supply to Udayankara colony is time and again sabotaged by Cherpunkal Shankar Das, a wily and unscrupulous politician of crassest morals who is intent on teaching a lesson to the alleged loyalty of the people who continue to support righteous politicians. The reciprocal justice is carried out by Kasinathan who in a strategic move corners Shankar Das in a compromising position with a serial actress and blackmails him to release permission for water supply in the village. Shankar Das is forced to resign from the cabinet. Ensuing celebration is amply enjoyed in a rain dance song by Kasinathan with all and sundry of his devoted satellites including characters Murugan, Vellapulli Mathachan, Tomi, Basheer, Pushpakumaran etc. Kasinathan's secret lover turns out to be Meenakshi the only sister of his good friend Commissioner Rajeevan. The upcoming business man Dasappan Gounder and his henchmen smells an opportunity to market Cola drinks in Midhilapuri and approaches Swaminathan to start a mutually profitable business deal. Swaminathan in his idealist moral sense is staunchly against the endeavour. Disappointed Gounder joins force with Shankar Das and craftily plots death of Swaminathan in a planned operation. The disappearance