Avvai Shanmugi
Avvai Shanmugi is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language screwball comedy film directed by K. S. Ravikumar and co-written by Crazy Mohan.[1] The film stars Kamal Haasan and Meena, with Gemini Ganesan, Nagesh, Heera, Manivannan, 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.Janaki, married to Pandian against the wishes of her wealthy father Viswanathan 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.Janaki goes to 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.[17][18] Haasan wore a nine-yard saree in the film for the female character,[19] with Sarika contributing to the costume designing.[24] The film was dubbed in Telugu as Bhamane Satyabhamane Avvai Shanmughi was released on 10 November 1996,[1] and performed well at the box office.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".[28] However R. P. R. of 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.