Kuselan  is a 2008 Tamil film simultaneously made in Telugu as Kathanayakudu. Inspired by the Malayalam film Kadha Parayumbol, the film is directed by P. Vasu and produced by K. Balachandar, Aswani Dutt and G. P. Vijayakumar in two languages. The Tamil version stars Pasupathy in the lead role, while Jagapati Babu takes the role in the Telugu version, with both actors being paired opposite Meena for their respective versions. Superstar Rajinikanth and Nayantara appear in extended cameo roles.

The film revolves around a villager, who had shared a strong friendship with a popular cinema actor in their youth. However due to their different pursuit in careers they eventually are forced to part ways, one becoming a national figure, the other, a village barber. Decades later, the actor returns to the village to participate in his film's shooting. Whilst the entire village become excited about the prospect of seeing the actor, the barber fears that his old friend would have forgotten him and would neglect him. The story explores the pressures of friendship.

The film opened to Indian audiences on August 1, 2008, taking the third largest opening for a Tamil film up til the date of release. Despite the film's hype prior to release, the film ended up evoking negative reviews, mainly because the film was termed as a Rajinikanth-starrer, although it was he who had made it clear that it was a guest appearance. Despite the big opening, the film went on to become one of the biggest box-office disasters in Tamil cinema history.