Watch Annamalai

Annamalai, a 1992 Tamil language film, starring Rajinikanth, Sarath Babu, and Kushboo, is an iconic and timeless classic of Tamil cinema. Directed by Suresh Krissna and produced by Rajam Balachander and Pushpa Kandaswamy, the movie tells the story of a man who rises from rags to riches through hard work and determination, despite facing numerous obstacles.

The movie revolves around Annamalai (played by Rajinikanth) who is an uneducated milkman, living in a small village with his mother. He aspires to become a rich and successful businessman, but his lack of education and financial resources hold him back. He falls in love with Subbulakshmi (played by Kushboo), who belongs to a wealthy family. However, her family is against their relationship due to their differences in social status.

Annamalai's luck changes when he saves the life of a wealthy businessman, Ramaswamy (played by Sarath Babu). Grateful for his help, Ramaswamy offers him a job in his company, where he works hard and rises up the ranks. Annamalai's success brings him respect and admiration from his peers, but it also attracts jealousy and hatred from his colleagues who try to bring him down.

As Annamalai gets closer to his dream of becoming a successful businessman, he faces various challenges from his rival, Bhupathi (played by Radha Ravi), who schemes to ruin him. The two engage in a fierce battle of wits, and the movie takes a dramatic turn when Annamalai is forced to make a difficult choice between success and his principles.

The film's cast, consisting of some of the biggest names in Tamil cinema, deliver awe-inspiring performances. At the helm, Rajinikanth shines as the protagonist, bringing his trademark style and charisma to the fore. His portrayal of Annamalai's transformation from a humble milkman to a successful businessman is captivating and inspiring. Sarath Babu as Ramaswamy delivers a nuanced and subtle performance and Kushboo as Subbulakshmi is charming and endearing.

The supporting actors also leave a lasting impact, with Janagaraj as Annamalai's loyal friend, Manickam, and Radha Ravi as the cunning and ruthless Bhupathi, being among the highlights of the film. Their performances add depth and texture to the movie and keep the viewers engaged throughout.

The movie's music and background score, composed by Deva, are iconic and remain popular to this day. The songs, "Vantha Rajavathaan Varuven" and "Rekkai Katti Parakudhu," continue to be popular among fans of Tamil cinema.

The movie is also known for its memorable dialogues, which have become part of Tamil pop culture. Lines like "En vazhi thani vazhi" (My way is a unique one), and "Deyvam inge ellam irunthaalum annan inge iruppaan" (Even if God is present here, Anna (brother) will be here) have become catchphrases and continue to be quoted to this day.

The film's production values are high, with the cinematography by P. S. Prakash adding to the movie's visuals. The setting of the movie is a mix of rural and urban landscapes, and the contrast is well-captured throughout.

Annamalai is a timeless classic and a must-watch for fans of Tamil cinema. The movie's themes of perseverance, hard work, and determination are inspiring and relatable, making it a movie that transcends generations. The blend of Rajinikanth's style and charisma with an engaging storyline and memorable characters make it a movie that continues to hold a special place in the hearts of Tamil cinema fans.

Annamalai is a 1992 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 43 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.