Last updated: 5 May 2026


Tamil · Action, Drama, Thriller
2h 10m · 4 Mar 2016
Music: Vijay Antony | DOP: Prasanna S. Kumar | Writer: Bhashyasree, Sasi
Ratings
Our Rating
3.25
Arul, a billionaire businessman, takes up a secret religious vow to live as a beggar for 48 days without revealing his identity. He does this as a penance to save his mother, who is in a coma following an accident. The story follows his struggles on the streets and how he balances his vow while dealing with local goons and a blossoming romance.
Bichagadu is a rare emotional drama that successfully blends a unique high-concept premise with commercial elements. Director Sasi crafts a narrative that relies heavily on the 'Mother Sentiment,' which resonates deeply with the Indian audience. The first half is engaging as it establishes the protagonist's transition from a wealthy tycoon to a street dweller, handled with a mix of humor and grit.
In the second half, the film takes a more commercial turn with action sequences and subplots involving corporate rivalry, which occasionally slows down the emotional momentum. However, the screenplay remains tight enough to keep the viewers invested in Arul's 48-day challenge. The dialogues, particularly those discussing the philosophy of poverty and money, are thought-provoking and became quite popular upon release.
Vijay Antony's music and background score are the backbone of the film. The BGM elevates the emotional scenes, while the songs like 'Vandha Devadhai' (Amma song) add significant value to the theme. The cinematography by Prasanna Kumar captures the stark contrast between the corporate world and the life on the streets effectively, providing a realistic texture to the movie.
Vijay Antony: Delivers a subtle and controlled performance. His understated acting suits the character of a man on a silent mission.
Dheepa Ramanujam: Excellent as the mother; her presence is felt throughout the film even when she is in a coma.
Satna Titus: Provides a charming performance as the female lead, sharing good chemistry with Vijay Antony.
Bagavathi Perumal: Offers decent support as the loyal friend/assistant.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Sasi's direction is commendable for taking a potentially melodramatic plot and treating it with enough sincerity to make it believable. His writing shines in the scenes depicting the lives of beggars, showing a side of society rarely explored with such empathy.
| Source | Rating |
|---|---|
| 3.25 / 5 | |
| 3.50 / 5 | |
| 3.75 / 5 |
Our Rating
No collection data available yet.
| Run | Centers |
|---|---|
| 50 Days Centers | 200 |
| 100 Days Centers | 50 |
| Award | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA) | Best Music Director (Tamil) | Nominated |
| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 85% |
| Neutral | 10% |
| Negative | 5% |
The film received highly positive reviews from critics, particularly for its emotional depth and Vijay Antony's performance. Telugu critics praised the dubbing quality and the relatability of the sentiment. 123telugu rated it 3.25/5, Idlebrain gave it 3/5, and Times of India gave it 3/5.
Final Box-Office Result
Bichagadu released on 4 March 2016 (2016).
Bichagadu is declared a BLOCKBUSTER at the box office.
Budget of Bichagadu is approximately ₹7 Crore.
Bichagadu is available on Sun NXT, Sun NXT, ZEE5, Jio Cinema. OTT date will be updated soon.
Bichagadu directed by Sasi. Produced by Fathima Vijay Antony.
Bichagadu stars Vijay Antony, Satna Titus, Bagavathi Perumal, Dheepa Ramanujam.
Tollybo rates Bichagadu 3.25/5. Verdict: BLOCKBUSTER.
Music for Bichagadu composed by Vijay Antony.
Bichagadu — Genre: Action, Drama, Thriller, Runtime: 130 minutes, Language: Tamil.