Theri (2016)

Joseph runs a bakery in a sleepy Kerala town and dotes on his young daughter Nivi. A local teacher, Annie, grows curious about the gentle widower, and a run-in with goons hints that he is much more than he seems. The truth comes out in a long flashback: he was once Vijay Kumar, an incorruptible DCP in Chennai, whose stand against a powerful politician's son cost him dearly. Theri was Atlee's second film and his first with Vijay, and was a huge hit, its father-daughter bond and the scenes with child actor Nainika (daughter of actress Meena) as popular as the action. Veteran director Mahendran made a striking acting turn as the villain. It was G. V. Prakash Kumar's 50th film as composer and was remade in Hindi as Baby John (2024).