On a flight from Chennai to Delhi, five passengers retrieve weapons from the toilet and use them to hijack the aircraft. During a struggle with the pilots to divert the plane to Rawalpindi, an engine is damaged so they make an emergency landing at Tirupati Airport. Government authorities arrive. The hijackers demand ₹100 crore (c. US $22,000,000), the release of their imprisoned leader Yusuf Khan, and a fresh aircraft for their escape.
A team is put together, led by Home Secretary K Vishwanath (Prakash Raj), to tackle the situation. National Security Guard Major N. Raveendra "Ravi" (Nagarjuna), who captured Yusuf Khan, recalls the death of a colleague at the shootout and regrets not killing Khan at the time. He urges the Government of India to allow a Special Forces commando operation but officials fear risking passengers' lives and do not trust Raveendra's team. Ravi is frustrated when the government vacillates, and it seems Khan might be released.
Inside the aircraft, the passengers gather in groups to discuss their past lives and religion. One of the terrorists becomes sentimentally attached to Afshana, a young girl who is returning to Karachi after a heart operation. The terrorist's associates, however, warn him not to become too attached to the girl because his main duty is to carry out the operation, which includes killing the passengers. Another passenger, who is Jagadheesh (Thalaivasal Vijay), a retired army colonel, frequently irritates the terrorists with questions about their motives. Tensions rise until Praveen (Narayan), one of the passengers who is a drug addict, attempts an escape but is shot by a terrorist, who warns the authorities to act quickly.
Raveendra's colleague Nawaz Khan (Bharath Reddy) discovers Tamil Nadu Police have identified a missing cleaner who prepared the toilet of the flight before its departure. Ravi and Nawaz go to find the cleaner, hoping to get information about the nature of the weapons that were left for the hijackers. After a chase in Red Hills, they capture the cleaner, who admits his involvement in the plot and gives vague information about the size of the weapon he placed in the toilet. Ravi and Nawaz deduce the weapon is a plastic explosive.
On his return, Ravi is told the government has decided to release Khan but while being transported to the airport, Khan dies in an accident. Ravi asks officials to be very confident about this information so they can plan an assault without the terrorists' knowledge. A reporter disguises himself as an assistant to a senior police official; he closely approaches the aircraft, records video of the aircraft using a pen camera and overhears two officials in a restroom discussing Khan's accident. The terrorists become alarmed. Despite attempts to contain the news, the media leak it. One of the terrorists kills a passenger named Subash (Kumaravel), and threatens to kill one passenger every 30 minutes unless it is proved Khan is alive. Ravi arranges for actor Ranganathan (Sricharan), who portrayed Khan in a film Bharat Maata, to make the terrorists believe Khan is alive and being treated at a hospital.
Ravi plans an operation to rescue the victims and names it Operation Garuda. Through a female cleaner, he secretly sends a mobile phone hidden in a food packet onto the plane so he can exchange information with Colonel Jagadheesh. Ravi plans to shoot the hijackers while they transit to a new flight by asking the passengers to bend down when they get a signal. The plan succeeds, and four of the five hijackers are killed. The last terrorist is killed with the help of two passengers. The plastic explosive is found in Afshana's bag. Ravi throws it away and the bag explodes. The operation ends, the Prime Minister appreciates Ravi and the passengers continue to their destination.
The passengers happily leave the flight, farewell each other and agree to meet again. The terrorists' names are revealed to be Yasin (the leader), Munna, Omar, Anwar and Abdul.
Radha Mohan, after directing the family-oriented romance and drama films Azhagiya Theeye, Mozhi and Abhiyum Naanum, decided to produce an action thriller about an aircraft hijacking. He approached his close friend actor-producer Prakash Raj, who produced all his earlier films. Raj agreed to fund this film, marking the pair's fourth collaboration. Prakash Raj renamed his Duet Movies banner Silent Movies, the logo and name of which Radha Mohan had designed.[5] Mohan also decided to make the film simultaneously in both Tamil and Telugu languages, and was able to persuade Telugu film producer Dil Raju to produce the Telugu version, titled Gaganam,[5][6] whilst engaging actor Nagarjuna, who is well-known in both film industries, to play the lead role of a National Security Guards commando. Nagarjuna said Payanam was "one of the easiest" he had worked on because he did not have to prepare much for the role since Mohan and Raj had done "so much research", spoken to army officers and had "everything about the role on paper – how commandos behave and dress".[7]
Nagarjuna, starring in his first direct Tamil film in 13 years, was part of an ensemble cast that includes around 45 actors from both Tamil and Telugu industries, the cast being retained for both versions.[5] This was Nagarjuna's first film without a love interest for his character.[8] Nagarjuna's Tamil voice was dubbed by Sekar.[9] Prakash Raj, who had starred in all of Mohan's earlier films, was cast in a main role.[10] He considered Babloo Prithiveeraj's character Chandrakanth, a superstar, to represent "all falsehood in our cinema".[11]
Despite widespread reports Payanam iss based on the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines Flight 814,[12][13][14] Raj has denied these reports, making clear it is about a hijack that takes place at Tirupati Airport.[15] Art director Kathir erected a grand set resembling Tirupati airport at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.[5][16] The airport set was constructed within one month and cost ₹3 crore,[5] which was almost 20% of the film's entire budget; the set included a runway, traffic, an air traffic control (ATC) room and two aeroplanes with "perfect interiors".[17] The film was shot using the RED camera and was handled by cinematographer K. V. Guhan.[6]
Pravin Mani was assigned as the film composer and worked on the film's background score. The film would include only one solo song, which was composed by Pravin and was written by Vairamuthu's son Madhan Karky.[5] According to the director: "We did not have songs in the film because there are no situations in the film which warranted songs. Hence we decided to do away with songs in the film."[18] The film's trailer was released on 14 January 2011.[19]
Reception
Tamil version
Rediff.com rated Payanam 3.5 out of 5 and stated; "The sequences are logical, even while allowing for dashes of humour, soul-searching, and feel-good factors; the whole setting has a realistic feel that draws you in".[20] Nowrunning.com also gave 3.5 out of 5 and wrote: "Payanam has come out as something new for Tamil cinema. It's worth watching."[21] Southdreamz said Payanam "can be watched for a different experience".[22] Indiaglitz praised the film, giving "Kudos to Payanam for a great successful journey".[23] Another review website gave Payanam 3.5 out of 5 and stated the film " has the necessary elements which can be called the director's touch".[24]
According to Indian film critic Baradwaj Rangan: "You could call Payanam a cross between a disaster movie (say, Airport) and a Mouli stage play. There's such an air of bonhomous familiarity to those who grew up in the seventies and the eighties, reading Vikatan jokes about actresses named Kalasri."[25]Sify.com stated: "The film's supporting cast is what makes it work. On the whole, Radha Mohan's Payanam is an enjoyable ride."[26] Chennai Online praised the attempt to insert comedy in the action sequences, saying; "A big plus is a comedy in the script with the various characters from all backgrounds from a star to an astrologer, all thrown together in the aircraft".[27]The Hindu noted; "The film grabs audience attention from the word go – you're worried about the plight of the passengers one minute, chuckling the very next at the wry humour, and before long, gripped by the suspense". The reviewer also praised the art director, stating: "The aircraft and airport are apparently a set. Really? Art director Kathir, take a bow!" and also said; "As the end credits roll, you only wish there had been a Major Raveendran who had his way in December 1999 at Amritsar".[28]
Payanam also received mixed and negative reviews. A critic from The Times of India gave a score of 2.5 out of 5 and said; "Radhamohan's Payanam would have been a more engaging watch only if the journey was a littler shorter".[29] Behindwoods gave it 2 out of 5 and said; "Although humour shares equal space with action and suspense, a slight swaying on the lighter side dilutes the serious effect a wee bit which could have been taken care of".[30]Oneindia commented; "The film appears a little nagging and boring because the audiences continue to expect a big action scenes but the film continues to roll without any such incident".[31]
Telugu version
A critic from Rediff.com wrote: "Director Radhamohan has crafted a brilliant hijack drama in Gaganam. The film is filled with suspense and thrills and laced occasionally with humour."[32] Jeevi of Idlebrain.com called Gaganam "a decent film which should be watched with an open mind".[33] A critic from 123telugu awarded "two big thumbs up for the film ... go watch it", and said: "Even if you are an ardent follower of commercial cinema, you never know when you might become a convert and embrace newer genres. And Gaganam is your best bet this month!"[34] A critic from The New Indian Express called Gaganam "a must watch".[35] A critic from Full Hyderabad said the film is "Uncluttered, brief (with a runtime of about 2 hours) and edgy", and said; "if that's all you'd like out of your Telugu movie this weekend, head for Gaganam".[36]
Box office
Payanam collected ₹99 lakh (US$120,000) in Chennai in the first week and had an average opening.[37]
