The story concerns Muthu, a charismatic, well-respected and loyal servant and charioteer of Raja Malayasimman, a wealthy zamindar. While Muthu and Raja's exploits lead them to fall in love with the same woman, an actress and dancer named Ranganayaki, Raja's materal uncle Ambalathar is keen on assuming control of the family's property.
Acting
Rajinikanth's dual-role swagger—nobody does humble-brag like him.
Direction
K.S. Ravikumar's twist deployment is clinically precise emotional manipulation.
Score
A.R. Rahman's 'Oruvan Oruvan'—anthem status achieved.
Director
K. S. Ravikumar
Rajinikanth
Muthu / Muthu's father
Meena
Ranganayaki
Sarath Babu
Raja Malayasimman
Radha Ravi
Ambalathar
Senthil
Thennappan
Vadivelu
Valayapathy
Jayabharathi
Sivakamiyammal
Subhashri
Padmini
Ponnambalam
Kaali
Vichitra
Rathidevi
Raghuvaran
Rajasekharan
Prabhakar
S. P. Prathap Rayudu
Ganthimathi
Poongavanam
Pandu
Pallavarayan
Kumarimuthu
Kamalakannan
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Muthu's Japan release made Rajinikanth an unlikely icon there—Tokyo theaters still screen it for cult crowds.
The chariot race wasn't in the original script; Ravikumar added it after seeing a local festival.
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