A man accepts a challenge to act as the Chief Minister for one day only, and makes such a success of it that soon he is embroiled in political intrigue.
Direction
Shankar's signature scale — every frame screams 'event cinema'.
Score
A.R. Rahman's 'Shakalaka Baby' and 'Mudhalvan' bangers still slap.
Acting
Arjun's transformation from common man to political juggernaut.
Director
Shankar
Arjun Sarja
Pughazhendhi Narayanan
Raghuvaran
Chief Minister Aranganathan
Manisha Koirala
Thenmozhi
Manivannan
Mayakrishnan
Vadivelu
Palavesham
Laila
Shuba
Kalairani
Pugazhendhi's Mother
Vijayakumar
Thenmozhi's Father
Cochin Haneefa
Chinnasami
Fathima Babu
Maragadham
Besant Ravi
Scissor Manogar
Surya Bhagawan Das
Manohar
Sampath Ram
Sub-Inspector
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film was remade in Hindi as 'Nayak' with Anil Kapoor, but Arjun's intensity remains unmatched.
The 'one day CM' premise became so iconic that real Indian politicians still reference it when promising rapid change.
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