
Avvai Shanmugi
1996 · Movie · 160 min · ★ 7.0 · 74% critics
A divorced father longs to stay close to his young daughter, but family tensions keep him at a distance. To spend time with her, he takes an unusual job inside her grandfather’s home while hiding behind an elaborate new identity.
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Details
- Original title
- அவ்வை சண்முகி
- Years
- 1996
- Release date
- 1996-11-10
- Language
- TA
- Runtime
- 160 min
- Critic score
- 74/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (29 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you like broad family comedies with emotional stakes, disguises, and chaotic mix-ups, especially if Panchatanthiram or Friends worked for you; Not for you if you dislike exaggerated setups or older-fashioned humor.
Pros: heartfelt family bond; playful mistaken-identity humor; emotional core | Cons: dated comedy beats; far-fetched setup; uneven tone at times
Cast & crew

Kamal Haasan
as Avvai Shanmugi / Pandiyan

Meena
as Janaki

Gemini Ganesan
as Vishwanathan Iyer

Nagesh
as Joseph

Manivannan
as Mudaliyar

Nassar
as Basha

Delhi Ganesh
as Sethuram Iyer

Heera Rajgopal
as Rathna

Rani
as Kousi
- BA
Baby Anne
as Bharathi
Directed by K. S. Ravikumar