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{{short description|1996 film by K. S. Ravikumar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Avvai Shanmugi.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[K. S. Ravikumar]]
| screenplay = K. S. Ravikumar
| story = [[Crazy Mohan]]
| producer = {{plainlist|
* R. Ravindran
* K. P. Hari
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[Kamal Haasan]]
* [[Meena (actress)|Meena]]
}}
| cinematography = S. Murthy
| editing = K. Thanikachalam
| music = [[Deva (composer)|Deva]]
| studio = Sree Mahalakshmi Combines
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1996|11|10}}
| runtime = 161 minutes{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=194}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| budget = 
| gross = 
}}

'''''Avvai Shanmugi''''' is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[screwball comedy]] film directed by [[K. S. Ravikumar]] and co-written by [[Crazy Mohan]].{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=194}} The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] and [[Meena (actress)|Meena]], with [[Gemini Ganesan]], [[Nagesh]], [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]], [[Manivannan]], [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]], [[Delhi Ganesh]] and Ann in supporting roles. Inspired by the American film ''[[Mrs. Doubtfire]]'' (1993), it revolves around a divorcé who disguises as an elderly female housekeeper to be close to his daughter, whose custody is only with his ex-wife.

''Avvai Shanmughi'' was released on 10 November 1996 and became a box office success, winning two [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]: [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Make-up Artist|Best Make-up Artist]] (K. M. Sarathkumar) and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Child Artist|Best Child Artist]] (Ann). A year later, the film was remade in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Chachi 420]]'', with Haasan directing and reprising his role.

== Plot ==
Janaki, married to Pandian against the wishes of her wealthy father Vishwanathan Iyer, applies for a divorce after five years of marriage, citing various reasons. Pandian is an assistant dance choreographer with a modest income and is unable to spend much time with the family, and their house is small without many amenities that Janaki was used to. All this accumulates and Janaki is granted a divorce. She has the sole custody of their daughter Bharathi, whom Pandian can meet only once a week, his only solace. However, Bharathi loves him a lot and dislikes the arrangement.

Basha, Pandian's friend, advises him to steal his daughter from Janaki. Pandian assents, but in doing so, he is discovered; now he cannot meet her at all. Pandian later learns that Vishwanathan has advertised for a woman to look after his granddaughter. In a conversation with Joseph, a makeup artist, Pandian gets the idea of playing an old woman, so that he can be with Bharathi and Janaki without them knowing. Joseph agrees to this plan and the transformation is done from Pandian to "Avvai Shanmugi", a dignified, elderly [[Iyer]] woman.

Shanmugi applies for the job, but is rejected as another woman had been chosen. But when Bharathi is hurt while shooting fireworks and catches fire, Shanmugi throws her into the swimming pool against the wishes of the household, who believe that wrapping in a woollen blanket is the proper way to put out a fire. When the family doctor comes to take a look at Bharathi's wound, he praises Shanmugi for administering the right treatment, which causes Vishwanathan to reject the earlier hired nanny and hire Shanmugi. Soon after, all the family members start to become closer to Shanmugi, including Janaki and Bharathi. When Bharathi gets to properly meet Shanmugi, she recognises her father almost immediately, but agrees to conceal his secret.

Rathna is a girl who is in love with Pandian, but is constantly rebuffed. Basha takes up the role of a mute Iyer cook and is admitted into Vishwanathan's house on the recommendation of Shanmugi, after the previous cook was caught stealing. However, Basha is caught while doing his [[Salah|namaz]] by Vishwanathan's secretary Sethuram Iyer, blowing his cover. Hilarious circumstances follow and slowly Shanmugi manages to convince the household of her sincerity, so much so that Vishwanathan begins to develop a liking for Shanmugi and in fact proposes to her too. Around the same time, Mudaliyar, the house-owner of the place where Pandian lives, happens to bump into Shanmugi and sympathises with her for being a widow. Eventually, Mudaliyar too begins to develop a liking for her.

Meanwhile, Pandian slowly begins to realise that Janaki has not totally forgotten him. Shanmugi rebuffs Vishwanathan's proposals by saying that her husband is alive. Adding to the chaos, she tells Vishwanathan that Joseph is her husband, while Pandian tells Sethuram Iyer that Mudaliyar is Shanmugi's husband. There is much confusion after this, but it is resolved at last. Shanmugi convinces Vishwanathan that Janaki's right place is by her husband. While Vishwanathan goes off to talk to his estranged son-in-law, Shanmugi reveals her true self as Pandian to Basha by removing her blouse. This is seen by Janaki, who misunderstands the scene and believes Shanmugi to be a seductress. In anguish, Janaki,in her blue exposing saree hurriedly starts her car and drives to Pandian's house.

Janaki reaches Pandian's house to reclaim him, but upon seeing Rathna waiting there, and Shanmugi's clothes lying around, thinks that her husband, too, is promiscuous. She again starts her car and drives to a bridge crying and attempts suicide by jumping into a river, but Shanmugi saves her and reveals her identity as Pandian. Janaki and Pandian reconcile, while Pandian "kills off" Shanmugi by attributing her "death" to drowning while saving Janaki.

== Cast ==
{{cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] as Avvai Shanmugi / Pandiyan
* [[Meena (actress)|Meena]] as Janaki Pandiyan
* [[Gemini Ganesan]] as Vishwanathan Iyer
* [[Nagesh]] as Joseph
* [[Manivannan]] as Sambantham Mudaliyar
* [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] as Basha
* [[Delhi Ganesh]] as Sethuram Iyer
* [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]] as Rathna (dubbed by [[Savitha Radhakrishnan]])
* [[Rani (Tamil actress)|Rani]] as Kousi
* Baby Anne as Bharathi

* [[Kavithalayaa Krishnan]] as a lawyer
* [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] as Dr. Subbu (special appearance)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/spb-the-underutilised-actor/|title=SP Balasubrahmanyam, the underutilised actor|date=4 June 2024|work=The South First|first=Srivathsan|last=Nadadhur|access-date=29 January 2026}}</ref>
* [[Raghuram]] as himself (special appearance)
* [[Crazy Mohan]] as interviewer (special appearance)
* [[Ramesh Aravind]] as himself (special appearance)
* [[Neelu]] as the judge
* [[Kanal Kannan]] as a rogue

}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
[[Jijo Punnoose]] wanted to make a film starring [[Kamal Haasan]] as a man dressed as a woman, but Haasan refused as the role was an adolescent woman whereas he wanted to play an elderly woman. Haasan later desired to do a film inspired by the American films ''[[Kramer vs. Kramer]]'' (1979) and ''[[Tootsie]]'' (1982) which became ''Avvai Shanmughi''. He acknowledged the film's resemblance to another American film ''[[Mrs. Doubtfire]]'' (1993), but "I guess we were both inspired from the same source" since he had the idea for ''Avvai Shanmughi'' six years before the release of ''Mrs. Doubtfire''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jha |first=Subhash K |date=13 August 2014 |title=Kamal Haasan: Robin Williams brought dignity to male tears |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/kamal-haasan-robin-williams-brought-dignity-to-male-tears/20140813.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629143108/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/kamal-haasan-robin-williams-brought-dignity-to-male-tears/20140813.htm |archive-date=29 June 2020 |access-date=29 June 2020 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Haasan dedicated the film to his mentor stage actor 'Avvai' [[T. K. Shanmugam]], who was known for playing female roles in stage plays.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kolappan, B. |date=29 April 2012 |title=Avvai Shanmugam's centenary passes off without fanfare |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/avvai-shanmugams-centenary-passes-off-without-fanfare/article3366107.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203055149/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/avvai-shanmugams-centenary-passes-off-without-fanfare/article3366107.ece |archive-date=3 December 2014 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hosanagar |first=Kartik |date=31 March 2016 |title=Acting Legend Kamal Haasan Looks to the Future of Indian Movies |url=https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/acting-legend-kamal-haasan-looks-to-the-future-of-indian-movies/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220606065419/https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/acting-legend-kamal-haasan-looks-to-the-future-of-indian-movies/ |archive-date=6 June 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022 |website=Knowledge at Wharton}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
[[Sivaji Ganesan]] was Ravikumar's initial choice for the role of Vishwanathan Iyer, which ultimately went to [[Gemini Ganesan]] (no relation).<ref>{{Cite news |date=7 September 2020 |title=Thala Ajith to Thalapathy Vijay: Director KS Ravikumar on his stars |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thala-ajith-to-thalapathy-vijay-director-ks-ravikumar-on-his-stars/articleshow/77972422.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230525135544/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/thala-ajith-to-thalapathy-vijay-director-ks-ravikumar-on-his-stars/articleshow/77972422.cms |archive-date=25 May 2023 |access-date=25 May 2023 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> A debutant Sri Durga was initially chosen to play the character Rathna, but was ultimately replaced by [[Heera Rajagopal|Heera]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=19 July 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News—Pudhu Edition 3 |url=https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.tamil/browse_thread/thread/5562a90c6c6a890b/259f170a26b86afc?lnk=gst&q=#259f170a26b86afc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119091301/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/VWKpDGxqiQs#259f170a26b86afc |archive-date=19 November 2021 |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=[[Google Groups]]}}</ref> Haasan's daughter [[Akshara Haasan|Akshara]] was considered for playing the lead pair's daughter, but declined;<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wK1pFvUys |title=Vivegam : Akshara Haasan Reveals about her Looks & Character {{!}} Ajith Kumar {{!}} MY 123 |date=26 July 2017 |last=Maathevan |publisher=BehindwoodsTV |time=2:58 to 3:26 |time-caption=From |access-date=19 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119094029/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2wK1pFvUys |archive-date=19 November 2021 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> the role went to Ann, her feature film debut.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Divya |date=16 June 2007 |title=The countdown begins |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-countdown-begins/article2247022.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119091259/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-countdown-begins/article2247022.ece |archive-date=19 November 2021 |access-date=19 November 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Raveena |last2=Ramanujam |first2=Srinivasa |date=13 November 2015 |title=Child stars on the big screen |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/child-stars-on-the-big-screen/article7873221.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406193743/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/society/child-stars-on-the-big-screen/article7873221.ece |archive-date=6 April 2020 |access-date=1 May 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> Stunt master Kanal Kannan appeared in a small role of a street rogue.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S. R. |date=13 February 2009 |title=Grill mill |url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/grill-mill/article3021158.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708113537/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/grill-mill/article3021158.ece |archive-date=8 July 2020 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Maadhu Balaji]] was offered to act in the film, but declined.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saravanan |first=T. |date=22 February 2017 |title=When quirk and mirth come to party |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/%E2%80%98Maadhu%E2%80%99-Balaji-brother-of-%E2%80%98Crazy%E2%80%99-Mohan-talks-about-his-sustained-interest-in-theatre-and-how-he-continues-to-enthral-the-audience/article17346584.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314085329/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/%E2%80%98Maadhu%E2%80%99-Balaji-brother-of-%E2%80%98Crazy%E2%80%99-Mohan-talks-about-his-sustained-interest-in-theatre-and-how-he-continues-to-enthral-the-audience/article17346584.ece |archive-date=14 March 2022 |access-date=17 March 2022 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[Ramesh Aravind]] made a cameo appearance in a song which he did only for Haasan.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=29 September 1996 |title=அவ்வை சண்முகியில் இன்னொரு ரகசியம்! |url=https://archive.org/download/kalki1996-09-29/kalki1996-09-29.pdf |access-date=25 May 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=65–67 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref>

=== Filming and design ===
The song "Kadhali Kadhali" was shot in South Africa.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=17 November 1996 |title=கமலின் குறுக்கீடு இருந்தது உண்மை! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-11-17/page/10/mode/2up? |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240610050909/https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-11-17/page/10/mode/2up? |archive-date=10 June 2024 |access-date=10 June 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=10–11 |language=Ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> The make-up artist [[Michael Westmore]] provided advice for the film alongside K. M. Sarathkumar.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 February 1997 |title=Behind the Scenes |url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/feb13/south2.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080606024316/http://www.screenindia.com/old/feb13/south2.htm |archive-date=6 June 2008 |access-date=6 June 2008 |website=[[Screen (magazine)|Screen]]}}</ref> An initial photoshoot had Haasan dressed as a middle-aged woman, but it was later decided that he portray elderly woman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 April 2022 |title=Trivia About Kamal Haasan's Avvai Shanmugi Aka Chachi 420 Every Fan Must Know |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/trivia-about-kamal-haasans-avvai-shanmugi-aka-chachi-420-every-fan-must-know-5072017.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220503200433/https://www.news18.com/news/movies/trivia-about-kamal-haasans-avvai-shanmugi-aka-chachi-420-every-fan-must-know-5072017.html |archive-date=3 May 2022 |access-date=7 June 2022 |website=[[News18]]}}</ref> The padding and foundation used gave Haasan an allergic reaction beneath his eyes. The make-up took five hours to put on and lasts for only five more hours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghatnekar |first=Aniket |date=5 January 2024 |title=Indian Cinema's Prosthetic Revolution: A Look at Transformative Makeup Moments Over Two Decades |url=https://www.digitalstudioindia.com/production/cinema/indian-cinemas-prosthetic-revolution-a-look-at-transformative-makeup-moments-over-two-decades |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240624062757/https://www.digitalstudioindia.com/production/cinema/indian-cinemas-prosthetic-revolution-a-look-at-transformative-makeup-moments-over-two-decades |archive-date=24 June 2024 |access-date=24 June 2024 |website=Digital Studio India |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Verma |first=Suparn |date=4 April 1997 |title=Kamal Hasan returns to Bollywood |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04kamal.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924145207/http://www.rediff.com/movies/apr/04kamal.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=12 September 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> Haasan wore a nine-yard saree in the film for the female character,<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2013 |title=Ayyo Rama |url=http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/ayyo-rama/article4847311.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306151109/http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/letters/ayyo-rama/article4847311.ece |archive-date=6 March 2014 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> with [[Sarika]] contributing to the costume designing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 1996 |title=Kamal Haasan to play middle-aged lady in his next film, Avvai Shanmukhi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19961115-kamal-haasan-to-play-middle-aged-lady-in-his-next-film-avvai-shanmukhi-834094-1996-11-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119091259/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/eyecatchers/story/19961115-kamal-haasan-to-play-middle-aged-lady-in-his-next-film-avvai-shanmukhi-834094-1996-11-15 |archive-date=19 November 2021 |access-date=29 June 2021 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> The dubbing for Meena was given by actress [[Uma Bharani]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saravanan |first=T. |date=26 January 2004 |title=Voicing emotions |url=http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/01/26/stories/2004012601740300.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040227234732/http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/01/26/stories/2004012601740300.htm |archive-date=27 February 2004 |access-date=11 February 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The music was composed by [[Deva (composer)|Deva]] and the lyrics were written by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 May 2017 |title=Avvai Shanmugi |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/avvai-shanmugi/IWeWdLN9gJo_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926005305/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/avvai-shanmugi/IWeWdLN9gJo_ |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=17 March 2022 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref> The song "Rukku Rukku" is based on the [[Carnatic raga]] [[Sahana (raga)|Sahana]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mani |first=Charulatha |author-link=Charulatha Mani |date=27 April 2012 |title=A Raga's Journey — Soothing Sahana |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-soothing-sahana/article3360309.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106172448/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/a-ragas-journey-soothing-sahana/article3360309.ece |archive-date=6 November 2013 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The song "Velai Velai" is inspired from "[[Workaholic (song)|Workaholic]]" by [[2 Unlimited]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=S |first=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |title=Deva [Tamil] |url=https://www.itwofs.com/tamil-deva.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130025010/http://itwofs.com/tamil-deva.html |archive-date=30 January 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022 |website=[[ItwoFS]]}}</ref> The song "Kadhala Kadhala" was reused as "Gham Hai Kyon" in the [[Hindi]] film ''[[Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai]]'' (2000), with change of instrumentation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 November 2021 |title=25 years of Avvai Shanmugi: Interesting facts about the Kamal Haasan-starrer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25-years-of-avvai-shanmugi-interesting-facts-about-the-kamal-haasan-starrer/photostory/87542414.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211106063555/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25-years-of-avvai-shanmugi-interesting-facts-about-the-kamal-haasan-starrer/photostory/87542414.cms |archive-date=6 November 2021 |access-date=19 November 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> "Velai Velai" was reused as "Super Darshini" in the [[Kannada]] film ''Baithare Baithare''.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oU6HUe-hVss |title=Super Darshini {{!}} Baithare Baithare - Movie {{!}} Sharan, Anand {{!}} Rajesh Krishnan {{!}} Teja {{!}} Jhankar Music |date=10 June 2021 |language=kn |publisher=Jhankar Music |access-date=17 April 2025 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/oU6HUe-hVss |archive-date=17 April 2025 |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Tamil track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Rukku Rukku
| extra1 = [[Kamal Haasan]], [[Sujatha Mohan|Sujatha]]
| length1 = 5:55
| title2 = Kadhala Kadhala
| extra2 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], Sujatha
| length2 = 5:46
| title3 = Kalyanam Katcheri
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length3 = 5:30
| title4 = Velai Velai
| extra4 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| length4 = 5:26
| title5 = Kadhali Kadhali
| extra5 = Hariharan
| length5 = 5:44
| total_length = 28:21 
}}
The film was dubbed in Telugu as Bhamane Satyabhamane

{{Track listing
| headline = Telugu (dubbed) track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = New Jathe Nenai
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[K. S. Chithra]]
| title2 = Vintha Vintha
| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title3 = Anuragam Andincha
| extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title4 = Rukku Rukku
| extra4 = [[Kamal Haasan]], [[S. P. Sailaja]]
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Avvai Shanmughi'' was released on 10 November 1996,{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=194}} and performed well at the box office.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D.S. |date=14 February 1997 |title=Not a good year |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/91597BB83C97B34B65256940004D0DDC |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322151824/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/91597BB83C97B34B65256940004D0DDC |archive-date=22 March 2012 |access-date=19 November 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The film was dubbed into Telugu as ''Bhamane Satyabhamane'' (1997).<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2020 |title=Remembering S P Balasubrahmanyam: 4 Telugu-dubbed movies that prove he was a brilliant voice actor |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/remembering-s-p-balasubrahmanyam-4-telugu-dubbed-movies-that-prove-he-was-a-brilliant-voice-actor-892760.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607085017/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/remembering-s-p-balasubrahmanyam-4-telugu-dubbed-movies-that-prove-he-was-a-brilliant-voice-actor-892760.html |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=6 June 2022 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' praised the film, claiming it "turns out to be entertainer, mouthful from start to finish". The reviewer praised Haasan's portrayal of a woman by claiming that "few peers to Kamal Hassan who can do the female role with such perfection".<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 November 1996 |title=Avvai Shanmughi |url=http://members.tripod.com/~S_Jagadish/films/avvaihindu.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180329071711/http://members.tripod.com/~S_Jagadish/films/avvaihindu.html |archive-date=29 March 2018 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> ''[[Ananda Vikatan]]'' gave the film a score of 44 out of 100.{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=195}} However R. P. R. of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' gave a negative review who felt Haasan's make-up as an old woman does not match and his face struggles to show emotions due to make-up while also panning the humour and dialogues as vulgar and concluded saying this film may gain profits but it is a good example that even great artistes like Haasan can go contaminated for the sake of commercial purposes.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=ஆர். பி. ஆர். |date=24 November 1996 |title=அவ்வை சண்முகி |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1996/nov/24-11-1996/p80.jpg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220913092121/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1996/nov/24-11-1996/p80.jpg |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=12 May 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=80 |language=Ta}}</ref> The film won two [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]: [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Make-up Artist|Best Make-up Artist]] (K. M. Sarathkumar) and [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Child Artist|Best Child Artist]] (Ann).<ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 Cinema State Awards |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203152338/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |archive-date=3 February 1999 |access-date=17 March 2022 |website=[[Dinakaran]]}}</ref>

== Legacy ==
''Avvai Shanmughi'' became a "textbook example" in [[Tamil cinema]] for [[slapstick]] humour.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sunder |first1=Gautam |last2=S |first2=Srivatsan |date=10 June 2019 |title=Best of 'Crazy' Mohan in Tamil cinema |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/some-of-crazy-mohans-best-works-in-tamil-cinema/article27763647.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221084705/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/some-of-crazy-mohans-best-works-in-tamil-cinema/article27763647.ece |archive-date=21 December 2019 |access-date=1 February 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> A year later, the film was remade in [[Hindi]] as ''[[Chachi 420]]'', with Haasan directing and reprising his role.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 June 1997 |title=Mudslinging turns Chikni Chachi into Stree 420 |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/3988/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119091304/https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/mudslinging-turns-chikni-chachi-into-stree-420/ |archive-date=19 November 2021 |access-date=12 September 2015 |work=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=V S |date=19 December 1997 |title=Chachi comes a-visiting |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/dec/19chi.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131802/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/dec/19chi.htm |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=19 November 2021 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> The background music and the scene where Pandiyan fights goons in an elderly woman getup were recreated by [[Jagathy Sreekumar]] in the Malayalam film ''[[Hitler Brothers]]'' (1997).<ref>{{Cite AV media |title=Hitler Brothers |type=motion picture |language=ml |publisher=Swetha Films |year=1997 |time=2:00:51}}</ref> The scene where Pandiyan looks for a sign board to think of a name for his elderly woman getup is recreated in ''[[Remo (film)|Remo]]'' (2016) where [[Sivakarthikeyan]]'s character looks at a sign board for his nurse getup.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=25 November 2016 |title=Content doesn't match the effort |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Content-doesn%E2%80%99t-match-the-effort/article16700363.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625091353/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Content-doesn%E2%80%99t-match-the-effort/article16700363.ece |archive-date=25 June 2020 |access-date=25 June 2020 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=The Best of Tamil Cinema, 1931 to 2010: 1977–2010 |publisher=Galatta Media |year=2011 |oclc=733724281}}

== External links ==
{{Portal|India|Film}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}
{{K. S. Ravikumar}}
[[Category:1996 Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s screwball comedy films]]
[[Category:1996 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:Cross-dressing in Indian films]]
[[Category:Fiction about child care occupations]]
[[Category:Films about divorce]]
[[Category:Films about dysfunctional families]]
[[Category:Films about father–daughter relationships]]
[[Category:Films about nannies]]
[[Category:Films based on adaptations]]
[[Category:Films based on British novels]]
[[Category:Films directed by K. S. Ravikumar]]
[[Category:Films scored by Deva (composer)]]
[[Category:Films shot in South Africa]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Crazy Mohan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by K. S. Ravikumar]]
[[Category:Indian courtroom films]]
[[Category:Indian remakes of American films]]
[[Category:Indian screwball comedy films]]
[[Category:Indian slapstick comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Tamil-language comedy films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Avvai Shanmugi - Revision history

Cmrseowork at 13:33, 20 April 2026