Thunivu written and directed by H. Vinoth starring actor Ajith Kumar in the lead released in theaters on January 11, 2023, for the Pongal box-office. Like most H. Vinoth movies, Thunivu too deals with an awareness-raising subject, in its case it being banks. While this 'message' only forms the core of Thunivu, it has already become a talking point among the Tamil cine audience.

H. Vinoth himself has opened about this in an interview where he explains, what made him choose this 'bank awareness' subject.  Without naming the bank the filmmaker shared a personal experience, where he opened a 'current account' with the aim of starting a production company. However his production plans didn't take off and he left the Rs. 10, 000 he had in that account untouched. 

Am working in govt bank..one thing I want to say.the way how film shows of selling credit card strategies ,customer details who are maintaining huge amounts in their SB accounts list has been taken for selling para banking activities is 100% true.

— Siva Ganesh (@SivaGan99949) January 13, 2023

H. Vinoth's friend was working in that bank, and he informed the director after a year and a half that this account was down to Rs. 0. H. Vinoth said that just like shown in his movie Thunivu, this was a case of money being swallowed due to minimum balance and service charges and other fines. "People like us have some basic understanding of banks and if we have to face situtations like these, what will be the situation of common people who have a lot of trust in banks? ..If there are hidden service charges, inform that to people beforehand while starting the account only ..", said the director.

மக்களுக்கு இலகுவா புரியுது படம் 💥💥#Thunivu pic.twitter.com/cBDpGyh0Rl

— தல அரவிந்த் (@aravinth43AK) January 13, 2023

Those working in banking sector agree that from private to government, state to central, untouched money is always a bothersome point for customers. The bank industry is filled with the need to passively push for customers with untouched money to invest in insurance or stock; this fetches huge commissions for the bank and forms one of their primary sources of income. Customers with untouched money in savings bank (SB) account are aware of where their money goes, since they are endorsed into investing it.

However the ones with current accounts and median income, end up loosing out in this 'untouched money' scenario because of reasons H. Vinoth cited. Even in a salary account, which a bank usually is least interested in, a customer looses money with factors like minimum balance and GST.