25 years of Avvai Shanmugi: Interesting facts about the Kamal Haasan-starrer

Avvai Shanmugi, is considered one of the landmark films of Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan. The comedy drama was directed by KS Ravikumar, and had an ensemble cast of Kamal Haasan, Gemini Ganesan, Meena, Nagesh, Heera, Manivannan and Nassar. The film was written by Crazy Mohan. Kamal dedicated this film to his mentor stage actor 'Avvai' TK Shanmugam, who was known for playing female roles in stage plays.

Avvai Shanmugi was inspired by the American comedy drama Mrs Doubtfire, which was directed by Chris Columbus, which in turn was based on the 1987-novel Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. The film had Robin Williams in the lead, who also served as the film’s producer.

Michael George Westmore, the popular makeup artist, who is best known for his work in the Star Trek series, provided the advice for makeup in the film, along with KM Sarathkumar. It is said that it took five hours to put on the makeup for Kamal Haasan’s Avvai Shanmugi character and that makeup would last only five hours. Kamal’s performance as Shanmugi was well appreciated.

The Hindi remake Chachi 420 marked Kamal Haasan’s directorial debut in Bollywood. The film went through a title change from Stree 420 before being finalised as Chachi 420. Chachi 420 had an ensemble cast of Tabu, Amrish Puri, Om Puri, Johnny Walker, Paresh Rawal, Rajendranath Zutshi, Ayesha Jhulka, Nassar. Fatima Sana Shaikh played Kamal Haasan’s daughter in the film.

Music for the film was by Deva and the album was a hit. The album comprised Rukku Rukku (sung by Kamal Haasan and Sujatha), Kadhala Kadhala (Hariharan and Sujatha), Kalyanam Katcheri (SP Balasubrahmanyam), Velai Velai (SP Balasubrahmanyam) and Kadhali Kadhali (Hariharan). Lyrics for the songs were by Vaali. The song Kadhala Kadhala was reused as Gham Hai Kyon in Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000).