Muthu (film)

Muthu is a charioteer working for zamindar Raja Malayasimman. While watching a play, Raja falls in love with an actress, Ranganayaki, when the garland she throws inadvertently falls on him. When Raja sees another of her plays and witnesses her being harassed by a local village chief, he tells Muthu to rescue her. Muthu fights the village chief's goons and rescues Ranganayaki. When more goons appear, Raja advises Muthu to take Ranganayaki safely away in their two-horse chariot while he manages the goons. Muthu agrees and escapes with her.

Ranganayaki dislikes Muthu's company but is forced to continue accompanying him. They both become tired and leave the horses to seek their own route, landing in Kerala. Muthu, not knowing Malayalam, gets into trouble for asking passersby for a kiss as wrongly tutored by Ranganayaki before she comes to his rescue. After learning what she had meant, Muthu surprises Ranganayaki by kissing her. They fall in love and return to Raja's palace.

Ranganayaki is secretly escaping her abusive brother-in-law, Pratap Rayudu, who killed her sister and is now searching for her. So, she requests to continue staying at the palace. Her associates also join. Raja's maternal uncle Ambalathar, keen to take control of Raja's wealth, plans to get his daughter Padmini married to Raja. Raja's mother Sivakamiyammal keeps requesting her son to marry, referring to Padmini. But Raja, dreaming of marrying Ranganayaki, nods his head, and Sivakami sends word to her brother Ambalathar. When Ambalathar arrives and speaks of marriage, Raja reveals his intention to marry Ranganayaki. Angered, Ambalathar brings Rayudu to the palace, who forcibly tries to take Ranganayaki until Muthu subdues him and sends him away.

To remove Ranganayaki and Muthu from the palace and get his daughter married, Ambalathar provokes Raja, through his informer Kaali at the palace, by alleging that Muthu is romancing Ranganayaki. Kaali deliberately misinterprets the discussions between Muthu and Ranganayaki (who are at a distance) as Muthu compelling Ranganayaki to marry him. Believing Kaali's words and what he had seen, an enraged Raja throws Muthu out of the palace after having him beaten up by Kaali. Muthu, who is in shock, does not fight back. Sivakami, who had gone to a temple with Ranganayaki, returns and is shocked on learning what happened. She berates Raja, revealing that Ranganayaki only loves Muthu, as well as the truth about Muthu's past.

Years ago, Muthu's father was the zamindar of the estate. Since he was childless, he named Raja, the son of his cousin Rajasekhar, his successor. Soon after, his wife conceived and died while giving birth to Muthu. At Ambalathar's instigation, Rajasekhar fraudulently obtained the zamindar's signature on blank papers and forced all of the property to be transferred to his name. Oblivious, the zamindar donated land to the villagers who returned to complain that the lands were not in his name. The zamindar realised what happened, but instead of punishing Rajasekhar, handed over the entire property to him and decided to leave the palace with his infant son Muthu. Sivakami pleaded that she be given the responsibility of raising Muthu. The zamindar agreed but said that his son must be raised as a commoner. After the zamindar left, a remorseful Rajasekhar committed suicide, and Sivakami moved to another village.

Sivakami says she had lied to the public that the zamindar's son had died, and that the zamindar currently lives nearby as a mystic nomad. Raja, realising his mistake, decides to go meet the zamindar and bring him back. Kaali, having overheard this conversation, reports to Ambalathar, who decides to murder Raja and frame Muthu so that he can take over the property. Kaali beats Raja, throws him into a waterfall and informs everyone that Muthu killed Raja. Muthu beats Kaali and makes him reveal that Ambalathar asked him to kill Raja. The villagers chase Ambalathar until Raja arrives with his bride Padmini. Raja was rescued by the zamindar and married Padmini. He forgives Ambalathar. Raja tells Muthu of his true identity, and Muthu rushes to meet his father, only to find that he has already left the place. Muthu becomes the new zamindar but prefers to identify as a worker.

{{Cast listing|

• Rajinikanth as Muthu and his father{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=162}}
• Meena as Ranganayaki{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=162}}
• Sarath Babu as Raja Malayasimman{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=162}}
• Radha Ravi as Ambalathar{{Cite news |date=12 January 2020 |title=A supervillain for a superstar |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/trends/2020/jan/12/a-supervillain-for-a-superstar-rajinikanth-darbar-raghuvaran-ramya-krishnan-thalaivar-rajini-16495.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201102123824/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/stories/trends/2020/jan/12/a-supervillain-for-a-superstar-rajinikanth-darbar-raghuvaran-ramya-krishnan-thalaivar-rajini-16495.html |archive-date=2 November 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |work=Cinema Express}}
• Senthil as Thennappan
• Vadivelu as Valayapathy
• Jayabharathi as Sivakamiyammal
• Subhashri as Padmini
• Ponnambalam as Kaali
• Vichithra as Rathidevi
• Raghuvaran as Rajasekhar
• Tiger Prabhakar as S. P. Pratap Rayudu
• Gandhimathi as Poongavanam
• Pandu as Pallavarayan
• Jyothi Lakshmi (special appearance in the song "Kokku Saiva Kokku"){{Cite news |date=10 August 2016 |title=Veteran actor Jyothi Lakshmi passes away |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/100816/veteran-actor-jyothi-lakshmi-passes-away.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201105094314/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/kollywood/100816/veteran-actor-jyothi-lakshmi-passes-away.html |archive-date=5 November 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020 |work=Deccan Chronicle}}
• Kumarimuthu as Kamalakannan

;Uncredited

• K. S. Ravikumar as the Tamil-speaking Malayali{{sfn|The Hindu|2012|p=38}}
• Master Mahendran as a tribal{{Cite web |date=1 November 2022 |title=சினிமாவில் ஜி.வி.பிரகாஷ் பாடிய டாப் ஹிட் ரஜினிகாந்த் பாடல்... அதுவும் 8 வயசிலங்க... |url=https://cinereporters.com/gv-prakash-sing-this-famous-rajinikanth-song/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250211011131/https://cinereporters.com/gv-prakash-sing-this-famous-rajinikanth-song/ |archive-date=11 February 2025 |access-date=11 February 2025 |website=Cinereporters.com |language=ta}}
• Crane Manohar as the Kerala tea shop employee{{Cite web |last=Chitra |date=25 March 2021 |title=திறமை இருந்தும் சாதிக்க முடியாமல் போன 7 நடிகர்கள்.. 1500 படங்கள் நடித்த பிரபலத்திற்குகே இதே நிலைமை தான் |trans-title=7 actors who weren't able to be successful despite having talent.. despite acting in 1500 films, they are in this situation to become popular |url=https://www.cinemapettai.com/tamil-movie-most-talented-actor-but-no-recognition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223011805/https://www.cinemapettai.com/tamil-movie-most-talented-actor-but-no-recognition/ |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=25 December 2024 |website=Cinemapettai}}
• Bonda Mani as a villager{{Cite web |date=24 December 2023 |title=போண்டா மணி பெயர் வந்தது எப்படி? உண்மையான பெயர் என்ன தெரியுமா? |trans-title=How did he get the name Bonda Mani? Do you know what his real name is? |url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-why-actor-bonda-mani-got-this-name-what-is-his-real-name-1283230.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224021103/https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-why-actor-bonda-mani-got-this-name-what-is-his-real-name-1283230.html |archive-date=24 December 2023 |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=News18 |language=ta}}
• Kulappulli Leela as a villager{{Cite web |date=18 June 2022 |title=“என்னைய கொன்னு தான் காசு சம்பாதிக்கணுமா?” - ரஜினி பட நடிகை பெரியாத்தா ஆவேசம் ! |url=https://www.kalaignarseithigal.com/cinema/2022/06/18/annatha-old-lady-kulappuli-leela-death-fake-news |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220707044100/https://www.kalaignarseithigal.com/cinema/2022/06/18/annatha-old-lady-kulappuli-leela-death-fake-news |archive-date=7 July 2022 |access-date=14 April 2025 |website=Kalaignar Seithigal|language=Ta}}

}}

Rajinikanth wanted K. S. Ravikumar to direct a film for him, and Ravikumar agreed to do so once he finished work on Periya Kudumbam (1995). After buying the rights to remake the 1994 Malayalam film Thenmavin Kombath,{{Cite news |date=21 September 2020 |title=KS Ravikumar: Even if it's a remake, I only take the basic story and do my own screenplay |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ks-ravikumar-even-if-its-a-remake-i-only-take-the-basic-story-and-do-my-own-screenplay/articleshow/78241903.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020012136/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/ks-ravikumar-even-if-its-a-remake-i-only-take-the-basic-story-and-do-my-own-screenplay/articleshow/78241903.cms |archive-date=20 October 2020 |access-date=21 October 2020 |work=The Times of India}} Rajinikanth narrated the outline of that film and so told Ravikumar to develop a screenplay of the remake, but he did not let Ravikumar watch the film. The project did not initially have a producer, so Rajinikanth offered to take care of financial matters, but Ravikumar refused. Ravikumar developed the screenplay at the Woodlands Hotel with help from his assistant directors including Ramesh Khanna, while occasionally going to Rajinikanth's office. The film was initially titled Velan before being retitled Muthu. This also marks Rajinikanth’s first collaboration with the director. Although Ravikumar was the primary dialogue writer, Rajinikanth wrote certain "punch" dialogues like "Kedaikkaradhu kedaikkama irukkadhu. Kedaikkama irukardhu kedaikadhu" ({{translation|What is to be obtained would not be lost. What is not to be obtained would be lost}}).

After completing three-fourths of the script, Ravikumar got permission to watch Thenmavin Kombath and was shocked to see the film's lack of resemblance to his screenplay. Rajinikanth told Ravikumar he did not want him to watch the film to avoid getting "inspired". Though Ravikumar took enough liberties to suit the tastes of Tamil-speaking audiences,{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=177}} the remake retained the original's core premise of a boss and his worker falling in love with the same woman and several other plot points such as the worker and his lover losing their way and ending up in a new land. New plot details and characters were added, including the protagonist's zamindar father and flashback scenes revolving around him.{{rp|22:53–24:00}} According to Kalaipuli S. Thanu, he was originally going to produce the film, but could not due to "various reasons".{{Cite web |date=5 April 2021 |title=Thanu reveals that Rajinikanth was interested in 'Drishyam' remake! |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/thanu-reveals-that-rajinikanth-was-interested-in-drishyam-remake-news-tamil-vefk8Sfihhfed.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406180307/https://www.sify.com/movies/thanu-reveals-that-rajinikanth-was-interested-in-drishyam-remake-news-tamil-vefk8Sfihhfed.html |archive-date=6 April 2021 |access-date=6 April 2021 |website=Sify}} It was soon picked up by K. Balachander's Kavithalayaa Productions,{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=161}} and produced by Rajam Balachander and Pushpa Kandaswamy. The cinematography was handled by Ashok Rajan, and editing was handled by K. Thanikachalam. R. Sundaramoorthy provided the makeup for Rajinikanth.{{Cite web |date=11 December 2017 |title=+பியூட்டி ப்ரியா |trans-title=+Beauty Priya |url=https://minnambalam.com/public/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE-26/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240404064709/https://minnambalam.com/public/%E0%AE%AA%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AF%82%E0%AE%9F%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%9F%E0%AE%BF-%E0%AE%AA%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%AF%E0%AE%BE-26/ |archive-date=4 April 2024 |access-date=4 April 2024 |website=Minnambalam |language=ta}}

Rajinikanth played two roles: Muthu and his unnamed father.{{rp|21:21–22:22}} According to Madhuvanti Arun, Rajinikanth offered her to do the role of Ranganayaki, but she was not selected because she was considered too young.{{Cite web |date=15 December 2022 |title=முத்து படத்தில் 'ரங்கநாயகி' வேடத்தில் நடிக்க ரஜினி அழைத்தார் - மதுவந்தி சொன்னத் தகவல்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/news/entertainment/cinema-madhuvanthi-spoke-about-rajinikanth-muthu-856065.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221215161852/https://tamil.news18.com/news/entertainment/cinema-madhuvanthi-spoke-about-rajinikanth-muthu-856065.html |archive-date=15 December 2022 |access-date=15 December 2022 |website=News18 |language=ta}} Television personality Pepsi Uma said Rajinikanth offered her the role as well, but she declined.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQx0OyP1OI |title=ஷாருக்கான் பட வாய்ப்பை மறுத்த பெப்சி உமா ? காரணம் என்ன? Pepsi Uma interview {{!}}Kumudam{{!}} |date=24 June 2020 |language=ta |publisher=Kumudam |time=9:39 to 9:43 |time-caption=From |access-date=15 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230615035522/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbQx0OyP1OI |archive-date=15 June 2023 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} Ravikumar, however, has stated that Meena was his first choice for the role. Her mother was concerned about the amount of screen time Meena would receive when compared to Subhashri (who was cast as Padmini), but Meena still took the role. Arvind Swamy was initially approached to portray Raja Malayasimman but was hesitant to act the scene where his character would slap Muthu. He was a fan of Rajinikanth and felt slapping the actor would anger his fans. Jayaram was later approached for the role but hesitated for the same reason.{{Cite web |date=18 August 2000 |title=Slap in the face for Kamal |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/18tt.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181002170624/http://www.rediff.com/movies/2000/aug/18tt.htm |archive-date=2 October 2018 |access-date=19 January 2019 |website=Rediff.com}} Though Jayaram suggested making changes to the scene, Ravikumar refused to do so. Sarath Babu was finally cast for the role, at Rajinikanth's suggestion. Vadivelu and Radha Ravi were cast as Valayapathy and Ambalathar, characters not present in the Malayalam original but created by Ravikumar.{{rp|22:53}} Radha Ravi was not initially interested in playing Ambalathar since he had grown weary of playing negative roles, but Rajinikanth's insisted.{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Sudhir |date=27 December 2014 |title=Spirited act |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/spirited-act-radha-ravi-interview/article6730704.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124071857/https://www.thehindu.com/features/spirited-act-radha-ravi-interview/article6730704.ece |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |work=The Hindu}} Urvashi was initially signed to play Subhashri's role, but given the actress' popularity at the time, Rajinikanth advised her against taking up the small role.{{Cite web |date=29 February 2024 |title='முத்து' படத்தில் ஊர்வசியை ரிஜெக்ட் செய்த ரஜினி... ரமேஷ் கண்ணா சொன்ன ஷாக் தகவல்! |trans-title=Rajini Rejected Urvashi in 'Muthu'... Ramesh Khanna's Shocking Information! |url=https://kamadenu.hindutamil.in/cinema/actor-rajinikanth-rejected-urvashi-in-muthu-movie-because-of-this-reason |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413030859/https://kamadenu.hindutamil.in/cinema/actor-rajinikanth-rejected-urvashi-in-muthu-movie-because-of-this-reason |archive-date=13 April 2024 |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Kamadenu |language=ta}} Rajinikanth wanted Ravikumar to make a cameo appearance as a Tamil-speaking Malayali. Ravikumar agreed after initial reluctance and dyed his hair white to portray the character.{{sfn|The Hindu|2012|p=38}}{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Meera |date=25 February 2011 |title=Big stars glitter in small roles too |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Big-stars-glitter-in-small-roles-too/article15458346.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124064404/https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Big-stars-glitter-in-small-roles-too/article15458346.ece |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |work=The Hindu}} The film's introductory credits shows the actors credited with their character names instead of their actual names.{{Cite AV media |title=Muthu |type=motion picture |language=Ta |publisher=Kavithalayaa Productions |year=1995 |time=1:32 to 2:00 |time-caption=From}}

Principal photography began on 1 June 1995.{{Cite news |date=1 June 1995 |title=முத்து |work=Dina Thanthi |language=ta}} The first shooting schedule took place in Mysore. While filming the introductory song "Oruvan Oruvan", the team brought two horses via lorry to each place where the film was to be shot. Ravikumar did not want to allocate four or five days for filming the song; instead he "used up about 20{{En dash}}30 minutes every day at all the locations we shot at. That way, [he] had a very colourful introduction song". After filming the opening scenes of the song, the team shot the climax scene involving a crowd of more than 5,000 people. Following this, scenes including Muthu's father were shot at the Lalitha Mahal.{{Cite news |last=Khajane |first=Muralidhara |date=16 June 2007 |title=Fans in Mysore disappointed |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Fans-in-Mysore-disappointed/article14778348.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201026174107/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/Fans-in-Mysore-disappointed/article14778348.ece |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020 |work=The Hindu}}{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=4}} The rest of the film was shot at Travancore Palace in Madras (renamed Chennai in 1996), and Kerala.{{sfn|The Hindu|2012|p=38}} A blue skirt Meena had worn while shooting some scenes had faded as a result of her sitting under the "scorching" sunlight for so long, so an identical skirt was prepared before she began filming the "Kuluvalile" song sequence.{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=V |date=23 October 2020 |title=#25YearsofMuthu: I had to make another blue skirt for Muthu because the first one had faded from all that sitting and shooting in the sun: Meena |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-i-had-to-make-another-blue-skirt-for-muthu-because-the-first-one-had-faded-from-all-that-sitting-and-shooting-in-the-sun-meena/articleshow/78809270.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201026172045/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-ks-ravikumar-reveals-the-secret-behind-the-colourful-set-in-thillana-thillana/articleshow/78835655.cms |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=23 November 2020 |work=The Times of India}}

The song "Thillana Thillana" was shot at AVM Studios, during the final shooting schedule which took place alongside post-production. According to Ravikumar, the song's dance choreographer, B. H. Tharun Kumar, told him "he just needed one set on a single floor in AVM and that he'd change the colour of the set to suit the mood of the song. Everything – from the costumes of Rajini and Meena and dancers to the background – were matching". He added, "We'd pack up by night and the technicians would change the colour of the entire set overnight, and be ready for shoot at 7 am again. The top lights had already been fixed, so they'd do the other small lights and we will go for take by 9 am. We'll wrap up by 6 pm, and then, the technicians would start work on the colour of the set again". The introductory "Super Star" title card first used in Annaamalai (1992) was also used here.{{Cite web |last=Shivakumar |first=Vivek |date=11 December 2018 |title=A Superstar Career Through Titles |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/a-superstar-career-through-titles/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905022727/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/tamil-features/a-superstar-career-through-titles/ |archive-date=5 September 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |website=Film Companion}}

{{Main|Muthu (soundtrack)}}

Muthu{{'s}} soundtrack was composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu. It is the first film where Rahman, Rajinikanth and Ravikumar worked together.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=163}} A Hindi version of the soundtrack, titled Muthu Maharaja, features lyrics by P. K. Mishra, whereas the Telugu soundtrack contains lyrics written by Bhuvana Chandra.{{Cite web |title=Muthu |url=https://gaana.com/album/muthu-telugu-2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104183304/https://gaana.com/album/muthu-telugu-2018 |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=4 November 2020 |website=Gaana}} The songs were recorded at the Panchathan Record Inn in Madras. The soundtrack was released on 8 October 1995 under the Pyramid label. The audio launch was held at Kalaivanar Arangam in Madras, where Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan along with Ravikumar, Rahman and Vairamuthu unveiled the audio cassettes to the public.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdqTR237VbU |title=Muthu Audio launch – Ulaganayagan Kamal Hassan speech {{!}} Rajinikanth {{!}} AR Rahman |date=21 November 2018 |last=Kavithalayaa |author-link=Kavithalayaa Productions |time=0:19 |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129040414/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdqTR237VbU |archive-date=29 January 2022 |via=YouTube}} The songs from Muthu were later retained in its Kannada remake in 2004, Sahukara, though Rajesh Ramanath was credited for its music.{{Cite news |last=M.L.N |date=23 August 2004 |title=Best of both |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/best-of-both/article28343385.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104164825/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-miscellaneous/tp-others/best-of-both/article28343385.ece |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=8 February 2020 |work=The Hindu}}

Some critics have felt that the dialogue "Naan eppo varuven, epdi varuvennu yarukkum theriyathu. Aana vara vendiya nerathula correcta vandhuduven" ({{Translation|Nobody knows when or how I will come, but I will come when the time is right}}) hinted at Rajinikanth's political aspirations.{{Cite news |date=18 May 2017 |title=Rajinikanth to join politics? 5 times Thalaivar hinted at the same in his films |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/thalaivar-rajinikanth-political-dialogues-in-tamil-fims-977821-2017-05-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165520/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/thalaivar-rajinikanth-political-dialogues-in-tamil-fims-977821-2017-05-18 |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |work=India Today}}{{Cite news |date=1 January 2018 |title=The longest teaser: Rajinikanth may have hinted his political debut with his film dialogues |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jan/01/the-longest--teaser-rajinikanth-may-have-hinted-his-political-debut-with-his-film-dialogues-1741284.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165511/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2018/jan/01/the-longest--teaser-rajinikanth-may-have-hinted-his-political-debut-with-his-film-dialogues-1741284.html |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |work=The New Indian Express}} Writing for PopMatters, Ranjani Krishnakumar felt that Muthu singing "Katchiyellam ippo namakkedhukku, kaalathin kaiyyil adhu irukku" ({{Translation|Why do we need a [political] party now; time will tell}}) also underlined Rajinikanth's political manoeuvres,{{Cite web |last=Krishnakumar |first=Ranjani |date=24 April 2017 |title=Tamil Film 'Mannan' Presses the Limits of Using Violence on a Female Nemesis |url=https://www.popmatters.com/tamil-film-mannan-presses-the-limits-of-using-violence-on-a-female-nemesis-2495394052.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921032052/https://www.popmatters.com/tamil-film-mannan-presses-the-limits-of-using-violence-on-a-female-nemesis-2495394052.html |archive-date=21 September 2020 |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=PopMatters}} while critic Naman Ramachandran feels Rajinikanth was actually dispelling rumours of him joining politics through those lyrics.{{sfn|Ramachandran|2014|p=163}} Writing for Mint, Shoba Narayan said that Rajinikanth's heroines play to every traditional stereotype and cited Ranganayaki's name as an example, adding, "the names set the tone for the character."{{Cite news |last=Narayan |first=Shoba |date=21 July 2016 |title=All is well in the Rajini world |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hlKt3H7p6zzeLkCA0TOV4K/All-is-well-in-the-Rajini-world.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720140121/https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/hlKt3H7p6zzeLkCA0TOV4K/All-is-well-in-the-Rajini-world.html |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |work=Mint}}

Muthu was released on 23 October 1995, during the Diwali holiday frame,{{Cite news |date=30 January 2018 |title=ரஜினி அரசியல்: 16- எப்ப வருவேன்; எப்படி வருவேன்? |trans-title=Rajini Politics: 16- When will I come; How will I come? |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/113919-16.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110085802/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/blogs/113919-16.html |archive-date=10 November 2019 |access-date=10 November 2019 |work=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}}{{Cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=23 October 2020 |title=25 Years On, Kamal Haasan's 'Kuruthipunal' Has Aged Better Than Many Of Its Contemporaries |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kamal-haasan-kuruthipunal-tamil-film-1995-thriller_in_5f918f8ac5b61c185f47dac5 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026033907/https://www.huffingtonpost.in/entry/kamal-haasan-kuruthipunal-tamil-film-1995-thriller_in_5f918f8ac5b61c185f47dac5 |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020 |website=HuffPost |location=India}} and began screening during the openings of Kuruthipunal and Chandralekha.{{Cite web |last=Rajaveebeeshika |date=29 October 2018 |title=Sarkar Diwali release: 11 other times Vijay's films released during the festival |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/sarkar-diwali-release-11-other-times-vijays-films-released-during-the-festival/306099 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730003025/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/sarkar-diwali-release-11-other-times-vijays-films-released-during-the-festival/306099 |archive-date=30 July 2019 |access-date=7 April 2021 |website=Times Now}} In Madras, the film was distributed by Sivasakthi Pandian through Sivasakthi Movie Makers, and in Coimbatore by Tirupur Subramaniam.{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Thinkal |date=12 August 2020 |title=#45YearsOfRajinism: Rajini sir believes that nobody who has invested money in a film should lose, says Tirupur Subramaniam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajini-sir-believes-that-nobody-who-has-invested-money-in-a-film-should-lose-tirupur-subramaniam/articleshow/77509828.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728144929/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajini-sir-believes-that-nobody-who-has-invested-money-in-a-film-should-lose-tirupur-subramaniam/articleshow/77509828.cms |archive-date=28 July 2021 |access-date=28 July 2021 |work=The Times of India}} Though Ravikumar initially feared the film would fail since screenings were declining during the third week of its run at Udhayam Theatre, Rajinikanth was confident it would succeed; it ultimately ran there for over 88 days at full capacity and became a silver jubilee hit. According to an estimate by Sunita Raghu of The New Indian Express, the film grossed {{INRConvert|13|c|year=1995}} in India.{{Cite news |last=Raghu |first=Sunita |date=4 May 2014 |title=Setting the Cash Registers Ringing. The Top Ten Grossers So Far |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/may/04/setting-the-cash-registers-ringing.-the-top-ten-grossers-so-far-607866.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231126063622/https://www.newindianexpress.com/magazine/2014/may/04/Setting-the-Cash-Registers-Ringing.-The-Top-Ten-Grossers-So-Far-607866.html |archive-date=26 November 2023 |access-date=26 November 2023 |work=The New Indian Express |pages=2}} The film was dubbed into Telugu under the same title and Rajinikanth's voice was dubbed by Mano.{{Cite news |last=Nadadhur |first=Srivathsan |date=6 June 2018 |title=Mano : The voice of Rajini |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mano-the-voice-of-rajini/article24096201.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124094638/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/mano-the-voice-of-rajini/article24096201.ece |archive-date=24 November 2020 |access-date=24 November 2020 |work=The Hindu}} It was also dubbed in Hindi as Muthu Maharaja.

Ananda Vikatan gave the film a rating of 42 out of 100, wrote that the film was consistent and described it as an engaging masala entertainer. The critic also praised the song sequences for their vibrancy.{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2011|p=179}} R. P. R. of Kalki felt the film was not as fast-paced as most Rajinikanth films, unsure whether this was the editor's fault or the writer's. He said the film put more emphasis on the songs than the dialogues.{{Cite magazine |last=ஆர். பி. ஆர். |date=5 November 1995 |title=முத்து |url=https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1995/nov/05-11-1995/p24.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220913090941/https://kalkionline.com/kalkionline_archive/imagegallery/archiveimages/kalki/1995/nov/05-11-1995/p24.jpg |archive-date=13 September 2022 |access-date=12 October 2021 |magazine=Kalki |page=24 |language=ta}} D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu gave a mixed review, comparing it unfavourably to Thenmavin Kombath and criticising the "wishy-washy" screenplay, but appreciated the flashbacks focusing on Muthu's father and the cinematography.{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=3 November 1995 |title=Cinema: Muthu/Chandralekha/Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951104/03/0326b.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961222014659/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/951104/03/0326b.html |archive-date=22 December 1996 |access-date=6 July 2023 |work=The Hindu |pages=26}}

In 1996, Japanese film critic Jun Edoki discovered the film at a video shop in Little India, Singapore. He said, "[Muthu] was absolutely fascinating—even without subtitles". Edoki then approached several Japanese distributors, wanting release the film in Japan. Eventually, {{ill|Xanadeux|ja|ザナドゥー (企業)}} agreed to release it.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=7 June 1999 |title=Rajni conquers Japan |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/07ss.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429172005/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/07ss.htm |archive-date=29 April 2021 |access-date=29 April 2021 |website=Rediff.com}} In 1998, they dubbed the film in Japanese. It was given the Japanese title {{nihongo|Muthu Odoru Maharaja|ムトゥ 踊るマハラジャ}}, meaning Muthu – The Dancing Maharaja.

Muthu Odoru Maharaja initially had a limited release, starting on 13 June 1998 at Cinema Rise in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where it completed a 23-week run. It sold 127,000 tickets and grossed {{JPY|208 million|link=yes}} ({{US$|{{To USD|208|JPN|year=1998}} million|long=no}}), becoming the theatre's highest-grossing film of 1998, with distributor Atsushi Ichikawa describing it as "the Titanic of the art theaters". It then received a nationwide release across 100 theatres, drawing nearly 250,000 in audiences and grossing {{JPY|400 million}} ({{US$|{{To USD|400|JPN|year=1998}} million|long=no}}).

Prior to Muthu, the previous highest-grossing Indian film in Japan was the Hindi film Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman from 1992, which was released there in 1997. Muthu surpassed it and became the most successful Indian film in Japan, as well as 1998's top film in the category of independent "first-run show" theatres. The success of Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman and Muthu sparked a short-lived boom of Indian films released in Japan, ending in 1999. Muthu was also the second highest-grossing 1995 Indian film overseas, behind only another Hindi film, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge.{{Cite web |title=Top Overseas Grossers 1995 |url=https://www.boxofficeindia.com/overseas-total-gross.php?year=1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116200850/https://www.boxofficeindia.com/overseas-total-gross.php?year=1995 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=15 January 2019 |website=Box Office India}} In 2022, the Telugu film RRR surpassed the gross collection of Muthu Odoru Maharaja and became the highest-grossing Indian film in Japan.{{Cite news |date=17 December 2022 |title='RRR' surpasses Rajini's 'Muthu', becomes highest grossing Indian movie in Japan |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/rrr-surpasses-rajinis-muthu-becomes-highest-grossing-indian-movie-in-japan/articleshow/96295117.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320011253/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/new-updates/rrr-surpasses-rajinis-muthu-becomes-highest-grossing-indian-movie-in-japan/articleshow/96295117.cms |archive-date=20 March 2023 |access-date=30 May 2023 |work=The Economic Times}} On 14 December 2006, the then Prime Minister of India, Manmohan Singh, made a special note about the reach of Muthu in Japan during his speech at the National Diet of Japan.{{Cite news |date=15 December 2006 |title=It's India-Japan Friendship Year |url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/15/stories/2006121506571400.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070520065653/http://www.hindu.com/2006/12/15/stories/2006121506571400.htm |archive-date=20 May 2007 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=The Hindu |agency=PTI}}

A 4K remaster of the film was released in Japan on 23 November 2018. Another restored version was released in India on 8 December 2023.{{Cite news |date=11 December 2023 |title='Aalavandhan' vs. 'Muthu' box office collection: Kamal Haasan starrer surpasses Rajinikanth's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aalavandhan-vs-muthu-box-office-collection-kamal-haasan-starrer-surpasses-rajinikanths-film/articleshow/105895955.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211120554/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/aalavandhan-vs-muthu-box-office-collection-kamal-haasan-starrer-surpasses-rajinikanths-film/articleshow/105895955.cms |archive-date=11 December 2023 |access-date=11 December 2023 |work=The Times of India}}

Muthu helped Rajinikanth and Meena gain a large fan following in Japan.{{Cite news |last=Saroj Kumar |first=S |date=4 January 2012 |title=Brand Rajinikanth |url=https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/brand-rajinikanth/895433/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312054355/https://www.financialexpress.com/archive/brand-rajinikanth/895433/ |archive-date=12 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |work=The Financial Express |location=India}}{{Cite web |last=Warrier |first=Shobha |author-link=Shobha Warrier |date=18 June 1999 |title=Pioneer Muthu |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/18mut.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312054756/https://www.rediff.com/movies/1999/jun/18mut.htm |archive-date=12 March 2021 |access-date=12 March 2021 |website=Rediff.com}} The video for "Thillana Thillana" became famous for Meena's belly dance, which features many closeup shots of her navel.{{Cite web |last=Bamzai |first=Kaveree |last2=Rege |first2=Prachi |last3=Rathnam |first3=Shilpa |date=3 June 2011 |title=Rise of the Navel |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-deepika-padukone-katrina-navel-look-is-new-cleavage-for-sexy-indian-women-and-re-emergence-of-sari/1/140273.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208153216/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/bollywood-deepika-padukone-katrina-navel-look-is-new-cleavage-for-sexy-indian-women-and-re-emergence-of-sari/1/140273.html |archive-date=8 December 2015 |access-date=17 September 2015 |website=India Today}} Meena danced to the song on an episode of the talk show Simply Kushboo.{{Cite web |date=12 November 2015 |title=Meena to do Thillana Thillana on Simply Khushboo |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/meena-to-do-thillana-thillana-on-simply-khushboo/articleshow/49756457.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210320035709/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/tamil/meena-to-do-thillana-thillana-on-simply-khushboo/articleshow/49756457.cms |archive-date=20 March 2021 |access-date=20 March 2021 |website=The Times of India}} The film itself has been frequently aired on Sun TV and recorded large viewership there.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2020 |title=மக்களிடையே இன்னமும் வரவேற்பைப் பெறும் முத்து |trans-title=Muthu is still popular among people |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/567300-muthu-in-sun-tv.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003060854/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/567300-muthu-in-sun-tv.html |archive-date=3 October 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020 |work=Hindu Tamil Thisai |language=ta}} As well, many dialogues attained popularity such as "Kedaikkaradhu kedaikkama irukkadhu. Kedaikkama irukardhu kedaikadhu", "Naan eppo varuven, epdi varuvennu yarukkum theriyathu. Aana vara vendiya nerathula correcta vandhuduven", and the Malayalam dialogue "Eruki anachu oru umma tharum" ({{Translation|Hug me tight, and kiss me}}).{{Cite web |date=12 April 2016 |title=11 Movies To Turn Every Rajini Fan Nostalgic! |url=https://jfwonline.com/article/11-movies-to-turn-every-rajini-fan-nostalgic/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417041849/http://jfwonline.com/article/11-movies-to-turn-every-rajini-fan-nostalgic/ |archive-date=17 April 2016 |access-date=8 November 2020 |website=JFW}} Sivasakthi Pandian used the profits he made from distributing Muthu to finance his first film as a producer, Vaanmathi (1996).

The attire worn by Rajinikanth in "Kuluvalile" – a white shirt and lungi – became popular.{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=6 January 2016 |title=International Lungi Day: Actors who rocked the lungi look on screen |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-international-lungi-day-indian-actors-who-rock-the-lungi-look-on-screen-2162780 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210324181229/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-international-lungi-day-indian-actors-who-rock-the-lungi-look-on-screen-2162780 |archive-date=24 March 2021 |access-date=29 April 2021 |work=Daily News & Analysis}}{{Cite news |date=17 May 2017 |title=The teasing Thalaiva |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-teasing-thalaiva-rajinikanth-on-baahubali/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210429165332/https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/the-teasing-thalaiva-rajinikanth-on-baahubali/ |archive-date=29 April 2021 |access-date=29 April 2021 |work=The Indian Express}} A 100-second fight sequence from Muthu was used in the French film I Do (2006) with permission from Kavithalayaa Productions.{{Cite news |last=Tharakan |first=Tony |date=23 December 2006 |title=Rajnikant in French comedy |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-rajnikant-in-french-comedy-1070785 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909062127/http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report-rajnikant-in-french-comedy-1070785 |archive-date=9 September 2015 |access-date=4 November 2020 |work=Daily News & Analysis}} In 2017, artist Rajesh Arachi released an English-language comic book adaptation of Muthu. It was published by Chelvam Comics.{{Cite web |last=Menon |first=Thinkal |date=26 August 2018 |title=Kollywood's comic connection |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kollywoods-comic-connection/articleshow/65544767.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226045602/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kollywoods-comic-connection/articleshow/65544767.cms |archive-date=26 February 2021 |access-date=7 April 2021 |website=The Times of India}} In the same year, a film tribute to Rajinikanth titled 12-12-1950 was released. The main characters are named after Rajinikanth's films, one of them being Muthu.{{Cite news |last=Rajendran |first=Gopinath |date=10 July 2017 |title=A tribute to Thalaivar |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jul/10/a-tribute-to-thalaivar-1626643.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902222105/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/jul/10/a-tribute-to-thalaivar-1626643.html |archive-date=2 September 2020 |access-date=7 April 2021 |work=The New Indian Express}} In 2018, GRT Hotels in Chennai started creating dishes named after Rajinikanth's films, with one being named Muthu, consisting of "gun powder arancini in the shape of pearls".{{Cite web |date=31 March 2018 |title=Chennai hotels offer Kabali dishes in quintessential Rajini style |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/life/kabali-dishes-at-chennai-hotels |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104164827/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/life/kabali-dishes-at-chennai-hotels |archive-date=4 November 2020 |access-date=21 April 2020 |website=Asianet News}} In early 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in India, a song spreading awareness about COVID-19, titled "Corona Corona" and set the tune of "Thillana Thillana", became viral.{{Cite web |last=CR |first=Sharanya |date=29 March 2020 |title=Chill Karo Naa, say this group of musicians |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/chill-karo-naa-say-this-group-of-musicians/articleshow/74863194.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200413110650/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/music/chill-karo-naa-say-this-group-of-musicians/articleshow/74863194.cms |archive-date=13 April 2020 |access-date=30 May 2021 |website=The Times of India}}{{Cite news |last=Menon |first=Jaya |date=23 March 2020 |title=Corona crooners in Chennai keep the cheer up on social media |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/corona-crooners-in-chennai-keep-the-cheer-up-on-social-media/articleshow/74766219.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624043529/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/corona-crooners-in-chennai-keep-the-cheer-up-on-social-media/articleshow/74766219.cms |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=28 October 2023 |work=The Times of India}}

A dialogue by Muthu, "Indha thummalu, irumalu, vikkalu, kottavi, nalladhu, kettadhu, pasi, thookkam, porappu, irappu, panam, pattam, padhavi, idhellam thaana varum. Vandhalumm yaennu ketka mudiyadhu. Ponalum thadukka mudiyathu" ({{Translation|Cough, hiccups, yawning, good, bad, hunger, sleep, birth, death, money, title, position, all these things will come on their own. You cannot ask for them. If they come, you cannot ask why they came and if they go, neither can you complain about them.}}) was used by Suriya in his dubsmash for spreading awareness on voting rights in 2016.{{Cite web |date=1 October 2014 |title=தூசி தவிர்த்தால், தும்மல் குறைக்கலாம் |trans-title=Avoiding dust can reduce sneezing |url=https://www.vikatan.com/health/99265- |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230624102927/https://www.vikatan.com/health/99265- |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Ananda Vikatan |language=ta}}{{Cite web |date=6 March 2016 |title=Suriya's Election-Themed Dubsmash Borrows Rajinikanth's Muthu Dialogue |url=https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/suriyas-election-themed-dubsmash-borrows-rajinikanths-muthu-dialogue-1283959 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624100935/https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/suriyas-election-themed-dubsmash-borrows-rajinikanths-muthu-dialogue-1283959 |archive-date=24 June 2023 |access-date=24 June 2023 |website=NDTV}}

{{notelist}}

{{reflist|refs=

{{Cite web |title=Muthu Cast and Crew |url=https://www.moviefone.com/movie/muthu/AHyQqPEQihcaMB7UoHNxq3/credits/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201030173000/https://www.moviefone.com/movie/muthu/AHyQqPEQihcaMB7UoHNxq3/credits/ |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020 |website=Moviefone}}

{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=V |date=23 October 2020 |title=#25YearsOfMuthu: Rajini sir was confident that Muthu would work: KS Ravikumar |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-rajini-sir-was-confident-that-muthu-would-work-ks-ravikumar/articleshow/78809083.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20201026165525/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-rajini-sir-was-confident-that-muthu-would-work-ks-ravikumar/articleshow/78809083.cms |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020 |work=The Times of India}}

{{Cite news |date=9 May 1999 |title=Dancing Maharajas |url=http://www.newsweek.com/dancing-maharajas-166680 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180330155252/http://www.newsweek.com/dancing-maharajas-166680 |archive-date=30 March 2018 |access-date=30 March 2018 |work=Newsweek}}

{{Cite news |date=9 November 2018 |title=見る極楽浄土！4K版「ムトゥ 踊るマハラジャ」新写真8枚到着 |url=https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/307344 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118153152/https://natalie.mu/eiga/news/307344 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |access-date=15 January 2019 |work=Natalie |language=ja}}

{{Cite book |last=Matsuoka |first=Tamaki |url=http://ir.minpaku.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/10502/1140/1/SES71_011.pdf |title=Asia to Watch, Asia to Present: The Promotion of Asian/Indian Cinema in Japan |publisher=Senri Ethnological Studies, Reitaku University |year=2008 |pages=246 |access-date=18 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722073202/http://ir.minpaku.ac.jp/dspace/bitstream/10502/1140/1/SES71_011.pdf |archive-date=22 July 2011 |url-status=live}}

{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XThJswrjzk |title="MUTHU-ல அப்பா CHARACTER-க்கு பேரே இல்ல தெரியுமா?" – K.S. Ravikumar Opens Up for the First Time |date=12 July 2020 |last=Jina |language=ta |publisher=Galatta Tamil |trans-title="Did you know the father character in Muthu has no name?" – K.S. Ravikumar Opens Up for the First Time |access-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127114353/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3XThJswrjzk |archive-date=27 January 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}

{{Cite web |title=Muthu |url=https://avdigital.in/products/muthu |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105170935/https://avdigital.in/products/muthu |archive-date=5 November 2020 |access-date=5 November 2020 |website=AVDigital}}

{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S |date=10 June 2018 |title=Rajinikanth's Most Popular Dialogues |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-rajinikanths-hit-dialogues/20161212.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720135843/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-rajinikanths-hit-dialogues/20161212.htm |archive-date=20 July 2018 |access-date=20 July 2018 |website=Rediff.com}}

{{Cite book |last=Arunachalam |first=Param |title=BollySwar: 1991–2000 |publisher=Mavrix Infotech |isbn=9788193848210 |pages=615}}

{{Cite web |date=15 July 2019 |title=Producer Sivasakthi Pandian reveals he had made Ajith's Vaanmathi from profits of Rajinikanth's Muthu |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/producer-sivasakthi-pandian-reveals-he-had-made-ajiths-vaanmathi-from-profits-of-rajinikanths-muthu/454053 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715100932/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment/south-gossip/article/producer-sivasakthi-pandian-reveals-he-had-made-ajiths-vaanmathi-from-profits-of-rajinikanths-muthu/454053 |archive-date=15 July 2019 |access-date=7 April 2021 |website=Times Now}}

{{Cite news |date=15 August 2017 |title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 308– எஸ்.கணேஷ் |trans-title=Tamil films which achieved milestones;– 308– S.Ganesh |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/32999 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030023432/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/32999 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020 |work=Dinamalar |location=Nellai |language=ta}}

{{Cite news |last=Lakshmi |first=V |date=23 October 2020 |title=#25YearsOfMuthu: KS Ravikumar reveals the secret behind the colourful set in Thillana Thillana |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-ks-ravikumar-reveals-the-secret-behind-the-colourful-set-in-thillana-thillana/articleshow/78835655.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201123165807/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/25yearsofmuthu-ks-ravikumar-reveals-the-secret-behind-the-colourful-set-in-thillana-thillana/articleshow/78835655.cms |archive-date=23 November 2020 |access-date=23 November 2020 |work=The Times of India}}

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• {{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 |isbn=978-81-921043-0-0}}
• {{Cite book |title=Rajinikanth 12.12.12: A Birthday Special |publisher=Kasturi & Sons Ltd |year=2012 |editor-last=Ramachandran |editor-first=Naman |editor-link=Naman Ramachandran |ref={{sfnref|The Hindu|2012}}}}
• {{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=Penguin Books |year=2014 |isbn=978-0-14-342111-5 |orig-date=2012}}

• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{K. S. Ravikumar}}

{{Kavithalaya Productions}}

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Category:1990s Indian films

Category:1990s masala films

Category:1990s Tamil-language films

Category:1995 films

Category:Films about landlords

Category:Films adapted into comics

Category:Films directed by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman

Category:Films shot in Chennai

Category:Films shot in Karnataka

Category:Films shot in Kerala

Category:Films shot in Mysore

Category:Films shot in Palakkad

Category:Films with screenplays by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Tamil remakes of Malayalam films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films