Nattamai

Shanmugam (Sarathkumar) is the village head, fondly called Nattamai in his village in Coimbatore region. He is the Chair of the Village Administration and also the unofficial judge in the village meetings, a post his family has held for generations in his village to do justice. He hears all the cases and gives solutions to the people and even punishments to the wrongdoers. His wife Lakshmi (Khushbu) admires and respects him. His brothers Pasupathi (also portrayed by Sarathkumar) and Selvaraj (Raja Ravindra) also have a lot of respect for him as he has brought them up as his children. Pasupathi marries Meena (Meena), the daughter of an industrialist Rajarathnam (Vinu Chakravarthy). She initially dislikes Shanmugam Nattamai because of his verdicts and attitude and her husband for being so timid with his brother but later transforms after learning of the former's greatness from her father. Selvaraj loves his village bellee Kanmani (Sanghavi), who is his paternal aunt Kamatchi's (Manorama) granddaughter .

In the flashback, Periya Nattamai (Vijayakumar), Shanmugam Nattamai's, Pasupathi, and Selvaraj's father, orders Kamatchi's son (and Kanmani's father) Rajavelu (Ponnambalam) to marry his servant's daughter whom he raped. Kamatchi (who is Periya Nattamai's sister) had met him the previous day to ask for a false judgement in favour of her son. However, she was told strictly to not interfere with the judgments. His brother-in-law, (Rajavelu's father and Kamatchi's husband (Erode Soundar), shoots him as he is disappointed by his verdict. Enraged, Periya Nattamai gives his final judgment before dying. He expels Rajavelu's family from the village for 18 years and makes Shanmugam the new Nattamai before dying.

Years later, Rajavelu's father dies. Rajavelu builds envy on his uncle's family and waits for an opportunity to take revenge on them. He hires a woman as the village school teacher and asks her to make Pasupathi fall for her. She does so to save her father, who is in the hands of Rajavelu. Rajavelu kills teacher and makes the villagers believe that Pasupathi has committed the murder. Shanmugam Nattamai sentences ten years of exile for Pasupathi and his wife Meena alone accompany him and stay in yard house. Rajavelu learns of his daughter's love for Selvaraj and tries to kill him with the help of his goons. Pasupathi goes to his rescue and a pregnant Meena goes to Shanmugam to convey this message. While Pasupathi starts to take revenge on Rajavelu, Kamatchi rushes to Shanmugam, kills her son Rajavelu, and reveals the truth about the death of the teacher and tells Shanmugam that he punished his innocent brother and blamed him for the death of the teacher all of which were really perpetrated by Rajavelu. Shanmugam dies upon learning that he gave a wrong judgment and Pasupathi is shown taking his place as the new Nattamai.

{{cast listing|

• R. Sarathkumar as Shanmugam (Nattamai) and Pasupathi
• Khushbu as Lakshmi
• Meena as Meena
• Raja Ravindra as Selvaraj
• Sanghavi as Kanmani
• Manorama as Kamatchi
• Goundamani as Kaali Muthu & Mangalam
• Senthil as Thanga Muthu
• Ponnambalam as Rajavelu
• Pandu as Sundaramurthy
• Vinu Chakravarthy as Rajarathnam
• Vaishnavi as Rasathi
• Rani as Rani
• Vijayakumar as 'Nattamai' Dharmalingam
• Erode Soundar as Zamindar Kathavarayan
• A. K. Senthil as Chinnasamy

Special appearances

• Kanal Kannan
• K. S. Ravikumar
• Crane Manohar as Mani (uncredited){{Cite web|url=https://cinema.vikatan.com/kollywood/86382-stories-of-the-actors-who-acted-with-vadivelu|title=வடிவேலுவுடன் ஜோடி சேர்ந்து கலக்கியவர்களின் கதை தெரியுமா?|date=14 April 2017|website=www.vikatan.com/}}
• Master Mahendran (uncredited){{Cite news |date=2021-01-18 |title=Karthi releases Master Mahendran's Namma Oorukku Ennadhan Achu trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/karthi-releases-master-mahendrans-namma-oorukku-ennadhan-achu-trailer/articleshow/80330240.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231127153109/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/karthi-releases-master-mahendrans-namma-oorukku-ennadhan-achu-trailer/articleshow/80330240.cms?from=mdr |archive-date=2023-11-27 |access-date=2023-11-27 |work=The Times of India}}

}}

Director K. S. Ravikumar initially approached Mammootty to play the supporting role played by Vijayakumar.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XElsAGpbb7U |title=கெட்டதா இருந்தாலும் Commercial படமும் வேண்டும்! - K. S. Ravikumar – Peranbu Audio Launch |date=15 July 2018 |language=ta |publisher=Shruti TV |access-date=16 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220113043817/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XElsAGpbb7U |archive-date=13 January 2022 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{time needed|date=June 2024}} For reasons unknown, he declined the offer. Sarathkumar was then signed for as the lead. The film became the fourth collaboration between Ravikumar and Sarathkumar. When Ravikumar approached Khushbu for Nattamai's wife role, she hesitated as in most part of the film she had to look old, except in a brief flashback. She asked him whom he will cast if she denies, Ravikumar said he will approach veteran actress Lakshmi; this made Kusbhoo to take up this role.{{Cite web |date=9 February 2021 |title='நாட்டாமை' படத்தில் குஷ்பூ கேரக்டரில் முதலில் நடிக்க இருந்தது லஷ்மியா..? |url=https://tamilcinetalk.com/lakshmi-was-the-first-to-play-the-role-of-khushboo-in-the-film-nattamai/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127112838/https://tamilcinetalk.com/lakshmi-was-the-first-to-play-the-role-of-khushboo-in-the-film-nattamai/ |archive-date=27 January 2022 |access-date=27 January 2022 |website=Tamil Cine Talk |language=ta}} Mahendran was introduced as child artist through this film.{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. R. Ashok |date=10 November 2013 |title=Audio Beat: Vizha – Tunes that will touch a chord |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-vizha-tunes-that-will-touch-a-chord/article5333256.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625084428/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/audio-beat-vizha-tunes-that-will-touch-a-chord/article5333256.ece |archive-date=25 June 2020 |access-date=3 February 2020 |work=The Hindu}} Vijayakumar was initially cast as the elder brother, but a few days before shooting began, Ravikumar decided to have Sarathkumar play both brothers and Bharathiraja was Ravikumar's initial choice for the character of Vijayakumar.{{Cite news |date=28 January 2016 |title=DID YOU KNOW ? |url=http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=DID-YOU-KNOW--28012016106054 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170129211911/http://epaperbeta.timesofindia.com/Article.aspx?eid=31807&articlexml=DID-YOU-KNOW--28012016106054 |archive-date=29 January 2017 |access-date=29 January 2017 |work=The Times of India}}{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmjbH2jZQfo |title=Bharathiraja was my first choice for Nattamai, Nattpukaga : K S Ravikumar at Film Institute Launch |date=15 April 2017 |language=ta |publisher=IndiaGlitz Tamil Movies |access-date=17 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816160040/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmjbH2jZQfo |archive-date=16 August 2017 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}}{{time needed|date=June 2024}}

In his early days as an actor, Sarathkumar was considered to be close to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa.{{Cite news |date=31 October 1995 |title=Star wars |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jayalalitha-to-use-sarath-kumar-to-checkmate-rajnikanth-politically/1/289520.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112181736/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/jayalalitha-to-use-sarath-kumar-to-checkmate-rajnikanth-politically/1/289520.html |archive-date=12 January 2014}} However, Sarath's proximity to Jayalalithaa landed him in deep trouble when Nattamai, which was still running in Tamil Nadu theatres, was aired by Jayalalithaa's television channel JJ TV, using a U-matic tape, which Sarathkumar gave her for personal viewing at her residence. What the understanding between Jayalalithaa and Sarathkumar was not clear. However, this caused a furore in the film industry as the producer R. B. Choudary threatened action against Sarathkumar for misusing a tape given to him for personal viewing. An embarrassed Sarathkumar explained that he was taken by surprise and that he never expected Jayalalithaa to give it to the channel for telecast. He sought an explanation from both Jayalalitha and JJ TV, but without success. The ruling party reacted predictably, using every forum to attack Sarathkumar.{{Cite news |last=Shekhar |first=G. C. |date=31 December 1995 |title=Jayalalitha's unlucky stars |work=India Today |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/actor-sharad-kumar-joins-the-fray-against-tamil-nadu-cm-jayalalitha/1/289797.html |url-status=live |access-date=12 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112181649/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/actor-sharad-kumar-joins-the-fray-against-tamil-nadu-cm-jayalalitha/1/289797.html |archive-date=12 January 2014}}

Soundtrack was composed by Sirpy and lyrics were written by Vairamuthu.{{Cite web |title=Aanazhagan – Nattamai Tamil Audio Cassettes |url=https://banumass.com/shop/aanazhagan-nattamai-tamil-audio-cassettes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127112845/https://banumass.com/shop/aanazhagan-nattamai-tamil-audio-cassettes/ |archive-date=27 January 2022 |access-date=27 January 2022 |website=Banumass}}{{Cite web |title=Nattamai |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/nattamai/1CL-OWtOuXY_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127112839/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/nattamai/1CL-OWtOuXY_ |archive-date=27 January 2022 |access-date=27 January 2022 |website=JioSaavn}}

Nattamai was released on 2 November 1994, during Diwali.{{Cite news |date=2 November 1994 |title=Nattamai |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19941102&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=14 July 2018 |work=The Indian Express |via=Google News Archive}}{{cbignore}} The Indian Express wrote that there was "never a dull moment" in the film.{{Cite news |last=Mannath |first=Malini |date=11 November 1994 |title=Just end |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5JlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1562%2C3762356 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230315023412/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=E5JlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=yJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1562,3762356 |archive-date=15 March 2023 |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=The Indian Express |pages=6 |via=Google News Archive}} Thulasi of Kalki noted Manorama and Vinu Chakravarthy for sentiment, Sangavi for glamour; Vaishnavi to cry; Ponnambalam to get thrashed and die. She said Sirpy's music makes one listen to it again and again even if they remember hearing it somewhere. Thulasi called the comedy routine and concluded by asking why is that the Tamil cinema hero has to be portrayed as a superman even if he is a villager.{{Cite magazine |last=துளசி |date=27 November 1994 |title=நாட்டாமை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1994-11-27/page/n65/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230505130218/https://archive.org/details/kalki1994-11-27/page/n65/mode/2up |archive-date=5 May 2023 |access-date=11 February 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=64 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}} It became a blockbuster and completed a 175-day run at the box office.{{Cite web |last=செல்வராஜ் |first=என். |date=20 March 2017 |title=வெள்ளி விழா கண்ட தமிழ் திரைப்படங்கள் |url=http://puthu.thinnai.com/archives/34587 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409063855/https://puthu.thinnai.com/archives/34587 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=Thinnai |language=ta}}

The success of the film prompted Super Good Films, K. S. Ravikumar, Erode Soundar and Sarathkumar to announce a film titled Paamaran soon after. However, the project was later stalled owing to a fallout between the actor and the director. Despite discussions for director Vikraman to take over the film, the project was stalled.{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=19 July 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition 2 |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/7jrOIlvNc3Y/m/oUn3AyDLw_4J |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908161353/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/7jrOIlvNc3Y/m/oUn3AyDLw_4J |archive-date=8 September 2022 |access-date=3 May 2021 |website=Google Groups}}

Owing to its success, Nattamai was remade in Telugu as Pedarayudu (1995),{{Cn|date=June 2025}} in Kannada as Simhadriya Simha (2001) and in Hindi as Bulandi (2000).{{Cite web |date=1 May 2022 |title=From L.V. Prasad in 'Alam Ara' to RGV, the South is no stranger to crossover cinema |url=https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=953703 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528220748/https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=953703 |archive-date=28 May 2022 |access-date=5 May 2023 |website=Daijiworld |agency=IANS}}

The tagline Nattamai, theerpa maathi sollu (Chieftain, change your judgement) became popular after release.{{Cn|date=June 2025}} It became a trendsetter for many films in later years. The success of the film inspired similar themes about village chieftain. Vijayakumar's portrayal of village chieftain received critical acclaim and he went on to be typecast in later films. The film gave breakthrough in the career of Sarathkumar and the actor did similar films – Surya Vamsam (1997), Natpukkaga (1998), Maayi (2000), Diwan (2003) and Ayyaa (2005) which featured him in double roles in the backdrop of village.{{Cn|date=June 2025}}

Nattamai has been parodied and referenced many times.{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=28 July 2013 |title=Getting it right |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/getting-it-right/article4960883.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205213921/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/getting-it-right/article4960883.ece |archive-date=5 December 2014 |access-date=27 January 2022 |work=The Hindu}} In a comedy scene from Aahaa Enna Porutham (1997), Goundamani mocks at the superstitions of village panchayat saying that chieftain should have assistant tagging along with him and should have a pot of water.{{Cite AV media |title=Aaha Enna Porutham |type=Motion picture |language=Ta |publisher=KB Films |year=1997}}{{time needed|date=February 2024}} Comedian Vivek has parodied this aspect in many films. He did a similar spoof in Sandai (2008) and Thoondil (2008) and made fun of village rituals in Kadhal Sadugudu (2003). Scenes from the film was parodied in Shiva starrer Thamizh Padam (2010), Ponnambalam who did the negative role in the original film had appeared as village chieftain in this film.{{Cite web |last=Ravi |first=Bhama Devi |date=4 February 2010 |title=Tamil Padam Movie Review |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Tamil-Padam/movie-review/5534225.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141011102148/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/Tamil-Padam/movie-review/5534225.cms |archive-date=11 October 2014 |access-date=29 November 2014 |website=The Times of India}} In 2021, Pothys' Deepavali ad featured Rithvik in six roles, which was noted to be similar to Nattamai.{{cite web | url=https://www.dinamani.com/cinema/cinema-news/2021/Oct/06/rithvik-deepavali-pothys-rithu-rocks-3712980.html | title=போத்தீஸ் விளம்பரத்தில் யூடியூப் புகழ் ரித்விக்! | date=6 October 2021 |work=Dinamani|language=ta|access-date=19 May 2025}}

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Category:1990s Indian films

Category:1990s Tamil-language films

Category:1994 drama films

Category:1994 films

Category:Films directed by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Films scored by Sirpy

Category:Films shot in Coimbatore

Category:Films with screenplays by K. S. Ravikumar

Category:Indian drama films

Category:Super Good Films films

Category:Tamil films remade in other languages

Category:Tamil-language drama films

Category:Tamil-language Indian films