Thangar Bachan, alternatively Thankar Bachan, is an Indian film director and actor, cinematographer and novelist. He has served as a jury member in the National Film Awards.
Thangar Bachan was born 5 May 1961 in Pathirakottai, a village near Panruti, Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu.
Bachan started his career as a cinematographer in his debut film Malai Charal. He was known for his work in Mogamul and Bharathi. He made his directorial debut in Azhagi.
Apart from his work in films, he occasionally wrote literary works. His novels include Onbathu Roobai Nottu and Ammavin Kai Pesi, both of which he later adapted into films that he directed himself.
Thangar Bachan was known for his contribution in portraying North Tamil Nadu villages, which were not depicted in Tamil cinema properly. His story plots were set mostly in Panruti and surrounding villages. After Bharathiraja, villages were best portrayed in Thangar Bachan movies. Bharathiraja himself declared that after him Bachan directs the best village films.
He was the Pattali Makkal Katchi candidate for the Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituency in the 2024 Indian general election, in which he came in third place and lost.