Annaatthe () is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Siva and produced by Kalanithi Maran under Sun Pictures. The film stars Rajinikanth in the titular role, alongside Khushbu, Meena, Nayanthara, Keerthy Suresh, Jagapathi Babu, Soori, Prakash Raj, and Abhimanyu Singh. D. Imman composed the film's music, Vetri handled the cinematography, Dhilip Subbarayan arranged stunts and Ruben edited the film. The movie's plot revolves around Kaalaiyan alias Annaatthe, a sarpanch (decision maker) in Thanjavur, who strives to protect his sister from an evil corporate and his crime boss elder brother in Kolkata.
The film was officially announced in October 2019, marking Rajinikanth's first collaboration with Siva. Principal photography began on 11 December 2019 and was completed in September 2021. The COVID-19 lockdown in India and Rajinikanth's health issues in late-December 2020 delayed the film's production. Filming was primarily done in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, and a few sequences were shot in Chennai.
Annaatthe was released on 4 November 2021, coinciding with the Deepavali festival. Upon release the film was critically panned. During its theatrical run, Annaatthe grossed an estimated revenue of ₹240 crores worldwide against a budget of 180 crores, making it a commercial success. The Embassy of India announced the release of the film in Argentina to promote culture and tourism.
Plot Kaalaiyan is a sarpanch (decision maker) in the village of Soorakkottai, Thanjavur District, who respects the principles of fairness. His ideals lead him to clash with a rival village leader Nattadurai, who controls people by scaring them. When Nattadurai tries to extort land from an old man, he hires lawyer Pattammal to defend his case. Kaalaiyan exposes the truth, and Pattammal betrays her client and withdraws the case. Pattammal and Kaalaiyan fall in love. Kaalaiyan's world revolves around his sister Thanga Meenatchi, whom he raised after the deaths of their parents. Meenatchi returns home, having completed her education. Kaalaiyan has difficulty finding a husband for his sister because everyone is afraid of him. Kaalaiyan's annoying cousins, sisters Angayarkanni and Mangaiyarkarasi, both of whom wanted to marry Kaalaiyan but he had not agreed, propose their brothers marry Thanga Meenatchi. Without her consent, Thanga Meenatchi's marriage is arranged with Nattadurai's younger brother. Meenatchi goes missing on the day of the wedding; Kaalaiyan dispatches a search party who finds Meenatchi trying to elope on a train with her boyfriend from college.
Torn by his love for his sister, Kaalaiyan allows Meenatchi to leave and deflects demands from relatives for an honour killing. Meenatchi and her husband move to Kolkata, and she loses contact with Kaalaiyan. Kaalaiyan and Pattammal travel to Kolkata. Kaalaiyan discovers his sister has serious financial troubles; he secretly follows her and discovers that she has borrowed money from a gangster. When the gangster tries to assault Meenatchi, Kaalaiyan secretly assaults him and moves Meenatchi to Pattammal's apartment, where he can safely watch her. Thugs threaten Meenatchi, and she falls ill. When Pattammal leaves the house to get her medicine, the thugs attack her. Kaalaiyan rescues Meenatchi and interrogates her attackers.
When Meenatchi and her husband started a business in Kolkata, a wealthy businessman and underworld don Manoj Parekar approached them. Manoj wanted to purchase half of their shares, but Meenatchi's husband refused. Over the following weeks, Meenatchi's factory caught fire, they were forced to close it, and her husband was arrested on invented charges and tortured in police custody. Meenatchi had begged Manoj to get her husband released and signed over her company. Manoj had refused to get him released and had everyone who agreed to help her murdered.
In the present, Meenatchi is still trying to get her husband released with Pattammal's help and realises that she is pregnant. Kaalaiyan is very happy to hear this; he and Pattammal organise a baby shower for her. After learning about Meenatchi's misfortune, Kaalaiyan wants to kill the gangsters using his sister as bait and swears to destroy Manoj Parekar. Using the pseudonym Annaatthe, Kaalaiyan and his village friends storm Manoj's office and issue an ultimatum. After more drama, Annaatthe corners Manoj and forces him to sign papers saying he will return the companies he stole to their former owners. Kaalaiyan decides to spare Manoj's life. Enraged and humiliated, Manoj visits his estranged brother Udhav Parekar, where he demands the death of Annaatthe and then kills himself. Udhav finds Meenatchi and takes men to attack her. Pattammal, instructed by Kaalaiyan, hides Meenatchi. Udhav's men chase Pattammal and Meenatchi, who become separated by a crashing auto-rickshaw. Kaalaiyan arrives, assaults all of Udhav's men, and kills Udhav. Kaalaiyan reveals himself to Meenatchi, who tearfully apologizes for the trouble she put him through.
Cast
Production Development
In mid-October 2019, media reports stated that Rajinikanth would be working with director Siva after the release of Darbar (2020). On 11 October, Kalanithi Maran, whose production house Sun Pictures was bankrolling the venture, confirmed the project, which had the working title Thalaivar 168. The project was Rajinikanth's 168th film. It was also Rajinikanth's third collaboration with Sun Pictures after Endhiran and Petta. Composer D. Imman, who had worked with the director on Viswasam (2019), was reported to be scoring for the film. His inclusion was confirmed by the producer in mid-November. It was reported that the film will be titled as Viyugam and Mannavan, however the team denied the rumours. The film's title Annaatthe was revealed on 24 February 2020.
Keerthy Suresh, speaking in 2021, said: "I shot for a few days with Rajini sir before lockdown and I was starstruck throughout the shoot. I am sure it is going to be the same until I complete the film. Annaatthe is going to be special."
Pre-production Siva's usual technical crew consisting of Vetri, Ruben, and Milan, as well as first-time collaborator Dhilip Subbarayan, were reported to be the film's cinematographer, editor, art director and stunt choreographer, respectively. Rajinikanth had penned some punch lines in his film. Initially, the actor was reported to be paid as his salary for the film but Kalanithi Maran asked to decrease the salary following the failure of Darbar and was prepared to shelve the project if Rajinikanth had refused to do so. After much deliberation, Rajinikanth agreed to decrease his salary.
Casting On 23 October 2019, Keerthy Suresh was signed in to act in a pivotal role. Later, comedian Soori was reported to be playing another prominent role. Sun Pictures confirmed the casting of Soori and Keerthy Suresh in December 2019. Keerthy Suresh was reported to have been cast as Rajinikanth's stepsister in the film. In December 2019, the producers also confirmed Meena and Khushbu would be the female leads in Thalaivar 168. Prakash Raj and Sathish joined the film's cast before the start of filming; and Kabali Vishwanth, who worked with Rajinikanth in Kabali (2016), also joined the cast.
On 31 January 2020, Sun Pictures announced Nayanthara had been cast as a lawyer in the film. Vela Ramamoorthy also joined the cast in a crucial role. Telugu actor Gopichand was reported to have been cast as the film's antagonist, but the actor refuted such claims. Jackie Shroff was hired for the role but was replaced by Jagapathi Babu in March 2021. Abhimanyu Singh was cast in a pivotal role in August 2021. Thavasi, who earlier appeared in Varuthapadatha Valibar Sangam (2013) and Rajinimurugan (2015), died in November 2020, making this his final film.
Filming
Principal photography commenced on 11 December 2019. The film's cast and crew were present at the pooja ceremony held at the office of Sun TV Network in Chennai. Filming began on 18 December 2019 at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad with a song shoot, while Khushbu filmed her scenes a few days after filming began. Rajinikanth went to film for an episode of Man vs. Wild at Bandipur National Park in Karnataka, which delayed filming. After the announcement of Nayanthara's casting, she joined the sets in February 2020. The producers planned to film some sequences in Kolkata and Pune after the completion of two schedules in Hyderabad but abandoned the idea due to the COVID-19 pandemic and decided to continue filming in Hyderabad. Filming was further delayed due to the pandemic.
It was reported the team would film some sequences in Chennai after lockdown because they would find difficulty travelling to Hyderabad for the shoot. After the government gave permission to resume film and television production following the pandemic, Rajinikanth was reported to have joined the sets in October 2020. The producers postponed filming until November, citing the team's safety. In mid-November 2020, the producers stated filming would resume on 15 December with Rajinikanth joining the schedule, and was expected to be completed within a single session to quickly complete filming. Rajinikanth travelled to Hyderabad on 14 December and started filming before the scheduled date, and Nayanthara was present on the film's sets. Sources said Rajinikanth worked for more than 14 hours to complete the film before his entry into politics. Filming was halted on 23 December 2020 after eight crew members were diagnosed with COVID-19 although Rajinikanth tested negative and underwent self-quarantine in Hyderabad. Rajinikanth was hospitalised on 25 December due to fluctuating blood pressure and was discharged on 27 December.
Following Rajinikanth's health issues, the filmmakers planned to resume filming in Chennai on 15 March 2021 with a single schedule within 30 days. In April, after the Tamil Nadu state legislative assembly election, Rajinikanth went to Hyderabad for the next scheduled shoot. Filming happened quickly despite a night-time curfew and other restrictions. The team filmed a few stunt sequences with Rajinikanth; the team sought permission from the government and Hyderabad police to film the night scenes. The team ensured safety at the sets while filming at a brisk pace. Nayanthara joined the film's team in late April 2021, and scenes featuring Rajinikanth and Nayanthara were filmed within three days.
Post-production On 10 May 2021, it was announced Rajinikanth had completed his portions of the film, except for a few patchwork sequences. The final filming schedule took place at a private studio in Chennai in July 2021. In August, except for minor portions, the stunt sequences of the film had been completed, and Rajinikanth and Khushbu began dubbing their portions. The final copy of the film was ready by September 2021 and the film was sent to Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for public viewing; the Board gave the film a U/A certificate. The film's final runtime is 163 minutes; the first half runs for 83 minutes and the second half is about 80 minutes.
Music
D. Imman composed the soundtrack to Annaatthe, collaborating with actor Rajinikanth for the first time and director Siva for the second time after Viswasam (2019). Thamarai, Viveka, Yugabharathi, Arun Bharathi, Mani Amuthavan, and Arivu wrote the lyrics. In an interview with Sudhir Srinivasan of The New Indian Express, Imman said: "Fans expect certain factors from Rajinikanth's songs. On the other hand, I want the album to carry my identity as well. I have to cater to both. In addition to that, Rajini sir is acting in a full-fledged rural entertainer after a while. So, the album should justify all these aspects." Songs were composed between January and March 2020, and after being interrupted due to COVID-19 lockdown in that month, composing resumed in November and the film score was completed by February 2021.