Tamizh Selvan IAS starts as an assistant collector in Chennai. He is insulted by the corrupt collector because of his helpful and honest nature and skin colour, but he does not give a budge and within a span becomes the chief collector in the city. He marries a research scholar Fathima and is assisted by Manuneethi Chozhan. A rebellious group leader initially opposes Tamizh Selvan since he had helped the police arrest one of their members. The group protests against the unfair and undue treatment of them in politician Vedimuthu's illegal quarry but since he hears their problems and solves it he is heralded as a hero by masses. This irks Vedimuthu and other politicians who do not want Tamizh Selvan to prosper. How Tamizh Selvan resists the politicians' attempts to damage his reputation forms the crux of the story.
R. Selvaraj wrote a story titled Vaakkapatta Bhoomi (transl. The promised land), with the intention of making it a film produced by himself, and Bharathiraja was assigned to direct, but the project did not materialise. Later, M. Ramanathan of Raaj Films International heard that Selvaraj had the call-sheets of Bharathiraja and Vijayakanth ready, and offered to produce any film with both involved. Bharathiraja and Vijayakanth agreed, and the film was Tamizh Selvan.[3]
The first shot Bharathiraja directed was Vijayakanth smiling which he shot at Shivanasamudra Falls, Karnataka.[4] During a filming a schedule at Kollegal, politician Vatal Nagaraj objected to the clapperboard used being in Tamil, but left after being intimidated by Vijayakanth. To avoid further trouble, Bharathiraja offered to remove the name Tamizh Selvan from the clapperboard, but Vijayakanth threatened to quit the film if that happened.[5] Another scene was shot at the T. Nagar Social Club, Chennai.[6]
R. P. R. of Kalki praised Vijayakanth's performance, Bharathiraja's direction and Deva's background score.[9] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote "Bharathirajaa takes the story along smoothly and maintains our interest until the end. But a few scenes were disjointed and I have a feeling this had something to do with our censors".[10] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "The role of bureaucrats in correcting and exposing corrupt and wayward politicians in power is the theme veteran director Bharathiraaja has handled with his known flourish". He added, "Rathnakumar's story base has already found exposure in earlier movies of this genre. But his dialogue is interestingly amusing particularly in areas".[11]
