Annaamalai (also spelt Annamalai; pronounced [aɳɳaːmalaɪ]) is a 1992 Indian Tamil-

language masala film[1] directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by Kavithalayaa

Productions. A remake of the 1987 Hindi film Khudgarz, itself based on Jeffrey
Archer's 1979 novel Kane and Abel, it stars Rajinikanth, Khushbu and Sarath Babu
with Radha Ravi, Nizhalgal Ravi and Manorama in supporting roles. The film revolves
around Annaamalai, a poor milkman, and Ashok, a wealthy hotelier, who have been
friends since childhood, a friendship opposed by Ashok's father who attempts to
create a rift between the two.

Annaamalai was announced in March 1992 with the director Vasanth, who later opted
out due to personal reasons. Suresh Krissna replaced him as director, and also
contributed to the screenplay while Shanmugasundaram wrote the dialogues. Principal
photography began in the same month and the entire filming process lasted 45
working days. The score and soundtrack were composed by Deva and lyrics for the
songs were written by Vairamuthu. The cinematography was handled by P. S. Prakash
and editing by the duo Ganesh Kumar.

Annaamalai was released on 27 June 1992. Although its opening was threatened due to
a newly established Tamil Nadu government rule where posters of films were
prohibited in Madras, the lack of promos only increased the hype and worked to the
film's advantage; it ran for 175 days in theatres and was the highest-grossing film
in Tamil cinema until 1995 when the record was broken by Baashha. It was remade in
Telugu in 1993 as Kondapalli Raja and in Kannada in 2003 as Gokarna.
Contents

1 Plot
2 Cast
3 Production
3.1 Development
3.2 Filming
3.3 Post-production
4 Themes
5 Music
6 Release
7 Reception
8 Legacy
9 Notes
10 References
11 Bibliography
12 External links

Plot

Annaamalai is a milkman, while Ashok is the owner of a five-star hotel in Madras.

They have been very close friends since their childhood. Ashok's father
Gangadharan, however, never liked his son's friendship with a poor milkman.
Annaamalai is kind-hearted and innocent, and falls in love with Subbulakshmi, a
college girl he eventually marries. Ashok too falls in love with a poor girl,
Shanthi, who works as his secretary. Annaamalai arranges Ashok and Shanthi's
wedding which angers Gangadharan as he thinks Shanthi lacks the status to become
his daughter-in-law.

Annaamalai clashes with Ekambaram, a MLA, following which Ekambaram understands

Annaamalai's good nature. Annaamalai's small house along with a few cents of empty
land is located in a prime location, to which Annaamalai held sentimental values
to; Gangadharan pressures Ashok to buy it so that they can construct a star hotel.
Ashok is initially hesitant as he does not want to mix business and friendship, but
later agrees. Annaamalai happily accepts and also agrees to give the land for free,
emulating pure friendship. Ashok feels proud of Annaamalai and informs his father
that Annaamalai has to be made a shareholder in the new hotel. Gangadharan agrees,
but decides to cheat Annaamalai and gets his signature in empty papers.

The star hotel is constructed and Gangadharan plans to demolish Annaamalai's house
which is located next to the hotel. Gangadharan and Ashok's cousin Sargunam forge
documents and take control of Annaamalai's empty land. Annaamalai learns of this
plan and argues with Gangadharan. Ashok, oblivious to his father's plan, gets angry
with Annaamalai for fighting with him, and demolishes Annaamalai's house which is
in the remembrance of Annaamalai's father. In response, Annaamalai lays a challenge
that he will become wealthy and take revenge on Ashok.

Ekambaram helps Annaamalai to secure funds. Annaamalai starts a small sweets

business and, over the course of fifteen years, becomes one of the wealthiest
hoteliers of Madras; he builds a star hotel in which becomes more popular than
Ashok's hotel. Sargunam steals money from Ashok and knowing this, Ashok asks him to
leave. Sargunam joins Annaamalai's hotel and also marries Annaamalai's sister,
Kamala. Annaamalai triumphs Ashok and becomes the president of the hotels
association and Ashok faces financial troubles. When Annaamalai learns that his
daughter Priya and Ashok's son Deepak love each other, he opposes this because of
his hatred for Ashok.

During the public auction of a plot, Annaamalai tricks Ashok into bidding for ₹120
million (equivalent to ₹780 million or US$9.8 million in 2020), even though it is
not worth more than ₹30 million. Ashok is forced to sell his bungalow to pay for
the plot and Annaamalai purchases Ashok's bungalow, but soon after he gives the
registration document to his mother Sivagami and asks her to hand it over to Ashok
itself thinking about the old friendship. Ashok and Gangadharan realise their
mistake and apologise to Sivagami knowing Annaamalai's kind heart. Annaamalai
learns about Gangadharan and Sargunam's document forgery, and that Ashok was
unaware of their plans. Sargunam later hires Don, an assassin, to kill Ashok to
usurp his wealth. But Annaamalai saves Ashok, kills Don and Sargunam seeks
forgiveness. Annaamalai and Ashok reconcile, and fix their children's marriage.
Cast

Rajinikanth as Annaamalai[2]
Khushbu as Subbulakshmi[3]
Sarath Babu as Ashok[2]
Rekha as Shanthi[4]
Radha Ravi as Gangadharan[5]
Janagaraj as Panchu[6]
Nizhalgal Ravi as Sargunam[7]
Prabhakar as Don[8]
Vinu Chakravarthy as Ekambaram[9]
Manorama as Sivagami[5]
Vaishnavi as Kamala[10]
Karan as Deepak (uncredited)[4]
Dakshayini as Priya (uncredited)[4]
L. Muthappa as the parrot astrologer (uncredited)[11]

Production
Development

In the first week of March 1992, the newspaper Dina Thanthi announced K.
Balachander's production house Kavithalayaa Productions' next film Annaamalai, with
Vasanth as director and Rajinikanth as the lead actor.[12] When the title was
announced, some people had misgivings because of the saying "Annamalaikku Arohara"
(Hail Hara, Lord of Annamalai) which has negative connotations; however Balachander
refused to change it.[13] After completing work on Jaagruti on 8 March, Suresh
Krissna left for Madras the next morning; he had not yet signed any film. Upon
arrival the same day, he was informed that Balachander, his mentor, was waiting for
him. Krissna visited Balachander, who told him that Vasanth had left Annaamalai,
which was scheduled to begin filming in two days and its release fixed for June.
When asked if he would direct, Krissna received an advance of ₹109 (equivalent to
₹710 or US$8.90 in 2020) and accepted.[14] Vasanth has never elaborated on why he
left, saying it was only due to "personal reasons".[15] Visu claimed he was hired
as the director before Vasanth, but due to some contradiction with Rajinikanth, he
opted out.[16]

At the time of Krissna's arrival, the script was not complete; he met the
screenwriter Shanmugasundaram, who narrated the main story: the "friendship between
a poor milkman and a rich man, with the former's house being a point of conflict".
Krissna realised there was still a lot of work to be done because reasons like "why
does his house mean so much to him, why does the rich man's father hate this
milkman, what angers the hero so much that he goes against his rich friend" had yet
to be established. The story was based on the Hindi film Khudgarz (1987),[17] which
itself was based on Jeffrey Archer's novel Kane and Abel.[18] Unlike Khudgarz,
where the rich man was the main character, Rajinikanth's character, the poor man,
was made the main character. When Krissna asked Shanmugasundaram about the
"incomplete pockets" in the story, Shanmugasundaram replied that it could all be
developed over the course of production.[17] Shanmugasundaram had been hired at
Rajinikanth's suggestion,[19] but Balachander wrote the dialogues for a scene
involving the title character and the MLA Ekambaram (Vinu Chakravarthy) at
Rajinikanth's insistence.[20]

When Krissna met Rajinikanth, he told him that there was a substantial amount of
work to be done in the script, but liked the plot.[21][22] Shortly before the
beginning of principal photography, which was scheduled to begin on 11 March and
continue its first schedule for ten days,[23] only the main cast – Rajinikanth as
Annaamalai, Khushbu as his love interest and Sarath Babu as his friend Ashok – had
been finalised.[17] Khushbu's character initially had the same name as her, but
this was later changed to Subbulakshmi alias "Subbu".[24] Since the script was not
complete, there was no proper shooting schedule, and Manorama was initially
unavailable. But after another film she had signed got cancelled, she was cast in
this film as Annaamalai's mother Sivagami.[17] Radha Ravi was not interested in
playing Ashok's father Gangadharan as he had grown weary of playing elderly
characters, but agreed to appear in Annaamalai at Rajinikanth's insistence.[25]
Pre-production works such as casting and location hunting took place on the day
before shooting began.[22][26] Balachander's wife Rajam and their daughter Pushpa
Kandhaswamy received the producer credit.[27]
Filming

Annaamalai was launched with a puja at the Lord Ganapathi temple within AVM
Studios.[13] Principal photography began on 11 March 1992.[17] The muhurat shot
involved Annaamalai breaking a coconut and praying in a temple.[13] After the
muhurat shot, the first scene to be filmed was a comedy scene where Annaamalai
would save Ashok, who has been brought to court for a minor offence. Krissna
removed the scene from the final cut as he felt it had no bearing on the script.
[28] The introductory song "Vanthenda Paalkaaran" was shot at Ooty. Krissna wanted
the picturisation of the song to be vibrant and colourful like the songs of
Bollywood films starring Amitabh Bachchan. The scene in the song where Annaamalai
shows his face to the camera was extended in slow motion by Krissna as fans would
feel as if he was looking towards the audience. The song was choreographed by
Prabhu Deva.[29] While filming the scene where Annaamalai challenges Ashok and
Gangadharan after they demolish his house, the makers decided to include wind, rain
and lightning in the background to show how Mother Nature was angry at the wrongs
meted out to Annaamalai.[30]

The scene where Annaamalai enters a ladies' hostel and gets terrified by a snake
was shot at Chakra House, Alwarpet.[31] A snake was brought specifically for the
scene. The owner of the snake earlier worked in previous films of Rajinikanth.
Krissna told cinematographer P. S. Prakash to use a zoom lens so that he could
adjust the camera according to the situation. After the scene was finished, the
members of the crew enjoyed the shot. Krissna congratulated Rajinikanth and asked
him how he performed it so well and if it was planned, and Rajinikanth replied it
was not planned; expressions in the scene were a result of his fear. In the same
scene, Shanmugasundaram came with initial dialogues to convey Annaamalai's fear.
Krissna felt that dialogues were redundant in such a situation. Rajinikanth
insisted to keep Kadavule Kadavule (Oh God! Oh God!) as the dialogue. Krissna
agreed as it went well into the situation of the scene.[32] According to Krissna,
nobody on set realised that the snake's mouth was not stitched; it was only after
filming ended for that day that the director came to realise that Rajinikanth's
life was at risk the entire time.[33]

The title song "Annaamalai Annaamalai" where the title character and Subbu appear
in periodic costumes was shot at the Fernhills Palace, Ooty while the matching
shots were shot at Sivaji Gardens. Krissna shot the song sequence in a technique
where the lip sync is perfect while the dance movements being fast, taking
inspiration from the song "Mamavukku Koduma" from Punnagai Mannan (1986).[34] The
song "Vetri Nichayam", which is a montage showing Annaamalai's rise to power over
the course of several years, was shot in many prestigious places such as Sea Rock
Hotel, Bombay.[35] The song "Rekkai Katti Parakudhu" was shot at Boat Club Road in
Adyar and Horticultural Society in Radhakrishnan Road.[36] The scene where
Annaamalai and Ashok face each other on opposite escalators was shot at the Centaur
Hotel in Bombay as no hotel in Madras had escalators.[37] The scene where
Annaamalai beats up Sargunam in a one-sided fight was filmed at Hotel Ambassador
Pallava.[38] Filming was completed in 45 working days.[22]
Post-production
The "Super Star" graphic title card

Annaamalai was edited by the duo Ganesh Kumar.[39] It was the first film to feature
the introductory "Super Star" graphic title card, where the words 'SUPER' and
'STAR' form in blue dots on the screen followed by R-A-J-N-I in gold, set to the
sound of laser beams while the word "Hey!" plays in loop in the background.[40][41]
This idea was conceived by Krissna, who was inspired by the opening gun barrel
sequence in the James Bond films, and felt that Rajinikanth, who was becoming a
phenomenon, "warranted a unique logo to go with his name".[42]

Rajinikanth initially objected to the inclusion of the Super Star title card as he
felt it was "brazen self-aggrandisement" and "embarrassing",[43] but Krissna
convinced him, saying it would generate large applause.[44] Balachander supported
Krissna, and convinced Rajinikanth, after which Rajinikanth relented.[45] The Super
Star title card was created at Prasad Labs and took a month to complete because
"every frame had to be animated by hand".[46] The final cut of Annaamalai was
initially 14,950 feet (4,560 m), at a time when the length of Tamil films was
restricted to 14,500 feet (4,400 m), equal to two hours and forty-five minutes.
With the removal of the courtroom scene, the final cut was reduced by 450 feet (140
m).[28]
Themes

Annaamalai revolves around themes such as friendship, betrayal and revenge.[47]

According to Krissna, none of the dialogues or scenes in the film were meant to be
allegorical to Rajinikanth's enmity with politician J. Jayalalithaa, but they were
interpreted by viewers that way. Krissna said an astrologer's dialogue to
Annaamalai "Unakku amma naala dhaan problem varum" (Very soon, you are going to
have problems because of a woman) was meant to be a "fun introduction" to the
character Subbu, and Ekambaram reforming after hearing Annaamalai's words was
intended to show "why an MLA turns a new leaf after hearing the words of a
milkman", but viewers interpreted both scenes as reflecting "Rajini hitting out at
Jayalalithaa".[17] He also said the scene of Annaamalai going up an escalator and
Ashok's going down one is symbolic of Annaamalai's rise and Ashok's fall.[48]
Music
Main article: Annaamalai (soundtrack)

The soundtrack was composed by Deva, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.[49] It was released
under the Lahari label.[50] Annaamalai marked Deva's first collaboration with
Rajinikanth. Balachander chose him as composer due to a misunderstanding with his
usual composer Ilaiyaraaja. Rajinikanth and Krissna were initially worried with the
choice of Deva.[51] When Krissna met Deva, he had already composed the title song
"Annaamalai Annaamalai" when Vasanth was the director.[52] The song is set in the
Carnatic raga known as Mohanam.[53]

"Vanthenda Paalkaaran" was inspired by "Neenaarigadayo Ele Manava", a Kannada poem

by G. V. Iyer which Rajinikanth had suggested; the poem talked about cows as
deities, useful to humans in many ways. Vairamuthu grasped the core of the poem and
embellished it further, adding an element of contrast between the ever-giving cow
and selfish humans who only take from other beings. He also inserted a few
ingenious words to boost Rajinikanth's image as a "mass hero" of the Tamils, such
as "Ennai Vaazha Vaithadhu Tamizh Paalu" (It is the milk of love from you Tamils
that has given me life).[54] The song's tune is based on the Marathi folk song "Mee
Dolkar Daryacha Raja" (1969).[55]

"Kondayil Thazham Poo" was written as a "peppy piece" to differentiate from the
"soft and more melodic" title song. Krissna was irked by the lines "Koodaiyil Ennna
Poo? Khushbu" (What is the name of the flower in your basket? Khushbu) and
"Veerathil Mannan Nee, Vetriyil Kannan Nee, Endrumae Raja Nee, Rajini" (You are
always a brave and victorious king, oh, Rajini) because of the obvious references
to the actors who were not playing themselves, but the rest of the crew liked them,
so they were retained.[56]

The film did not originally call for a duet number picturised on Annaamalai and
Subbu in their old age. Balachander felt the film was becoming too grim and that a
duet number would bring levity to the situation. Though Krissna initially objected,
Balachander convinced him that audiences would not see it as an intrusion; this
resulted in the song "Rekkai Katti Parakudhu" being composed.[57] The theme song,
which does not appear on the soundtrack and plays during the Super Star graphic
title card,[58] was inspired by the James Bond Theme.[17]
Release

Annaamalai was released theatrically on 27 June 1992.[59] Its opening was

threatened since the government of Jayalalithaa implemented a new rule where
posters of films were prohibited in Madras. Nevertheless, according to Krissna, the
lack of promos only increased the hype and worked to the film's advantage.[60] The
film completed a 175-day run at the box office.[61] It was the highest-grossing
film in Tamil cinema until 1995 when the record was broken by Baashha,[62] and
started Rajinikanth's "meteoric rise at the box office".[63] For his performance,
Rajinikanth won the Ambika Award for Best Actor.[64]
Reception

Lalitha Dileep of The Indian Express said the film "combines good screenplay,
proficient direction and first rate acting. The end result is both entertaining and
engrossing". She said the metamorphosis of Annaamalai from a simpleton to a wealthy
man was "done in a plausible manner and with great cinematic finesse", praised the
editing, the cinematography, the music and lyrics, concluding, "[Annaamalai] is
enjoyable and touching."[5] K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times praised the
performances of Rajinikanth and Manorama, but felt that for a film depicting the
close bonds of friendship, "the reason given for the split between Ashok and
[Annaamalai] is rather weak." Vijiyin criticised the revenge plot as stale, the
"good friends getting separated" trope for being derivative, and felt some of the
songs were unnecessary since they were only slowing the film's pace. He praised the
fight sequences, Deva's music and Janagaraj's comedy, but felt Khushbu and Rekha
were merely "decorative items", concluding, "[Annaamalai] will be a hit with
[Rajinikanth's] admirers but a disappointment for Balachander's discerning fans who
are looking for a story with a difference."[47]

A special screening was held for the actor Sivaji Ganesan who told Krissna, "In my
heyday, the camera remained steady while I would move up and down to make an impact
as a hero, but you've limited [Rajinikanth's] movements and made the camera whirl
around. The dynamism of the shots have helped project heroism better [...] You've
showcased another dimension of [Rajinikanth]. The film's plus is its making."[65]
Sundarji of Kalki noted that Rekha was underutilised, criticised Deva's music for
being derivative, but praised Janagaraj's comedy (especially his broken English
dialogues) and many of Rajinikanth's dialogues which he felt had political
undertones.[66]
Legacy

Annaamalai set multiple trends in Tamil cinema, including a "mass introduction song
for a hero",[a] a "special background music for the hero", and a poor man's rise to
riches depicted during the course of a song.[45] The Super Star graphic title card
featured in many of Rajinikanth's later films like Veera (1994), Baashha and Muthu
(1995).[40] It also inspired many other South Indian films to use similar title
cards to promote their lead actors.[1] Many dialogues from the film attained
popularity such as "Naan solradaiyum seiven, soladadeiyum seiven" (I'll do what I
say, I'll also do what I don't say),[69] "Malai da, Annamalai" (Malai, man.
Annamalai),[70][71] "Kashtapadaama edhuvum kidaikaadhu. Kashtapadaama kedachu
ennikum nilaikaadhu" (You'll gain nothing without hard work. And even if you do, it
won't last for long),[72] "Ashok, indha Annamalai un nanban ah than pathiruka,
inimey indha Annamalai un virodhiya pakkapora. Indha naal un calendar la kurichi
vechikko. Innayilarunthe un azhivu kaalam aarambamaayiduchi" (Ashok, you have seen
this Annamalai only as your friend. From now on you will see this Annamalai as your
enemy. Mark this date on your calendar. Your downfall begins today),[73] and "I'm a
bad man".[74]

In 1996, the newly-formed Tamil Maanila Congress chose the character Annaamalai's
cycle as its official symbol, "Rekkai Katti Parakudhu" as its theme song, and won
the 1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly election by a huge margin.[75][76][77]
Annaamalai was remade into Telugu as Kondapalli Raja (1993),[78] and into Kannada
as Gokarna (2003).[79] It has influenced other films with regards to plot and
characterisations such as Aarumugam (2009) (also directed by Krissna)[80] and
Engaeyum Eppothum (2011),[81] while its plot details were parodied or re-enacted in
films such as Pandian (1992),[82] Paarthale Paravasam (2001),[83] Boss Engira
Bhaskaran (2010),[84] and Thamizh Padam (2010).[73][85] The film has, however,
gained criticism for glorifying smoking, a trait Rajinikanth eschewed in his films
after Baba (2002).[1]