This is beyond doubt the most raw and realistic portrayal of the life of a local thug in Chennai. The movie broke the myth that a thug has to have a huge body, an intimidating frame and a rugged face. It proved that even a thin, baby faced boy can be a thug; it is the attitude that matters. The camera has seldom explored the dark lanes of Chennai better. Also, the way thugs were represented was completely different from what Tamil cinema had done till then. Dhanush’s character in Pudhupettai was not one who slaughtered at will like a cinematic stereotype; he was a thug who killed to live, constantly worrying about who was coming to get him.