How a superstar's salary negotiation nearly halted this Tamil action epic
In short: Announced in 2019, Annaatthe faced a turbulent production journey. Between the COVID-19 pandemic and intense salary negotiations with Rajinikanth, the film's path to its 2021 release was difficult. Despite these setbacks, the Tamil action epic eventually became a commercial success, grossing ₹240 crores worldwide against its ₹180 crore budget.
Announced in October 2019 as Rajinikanth's 168th film, Annaatthe was originally known by the working title Thalaivar 168. The production, bankrolled by Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures, faced significant hurdles. Initially, Rajinikanth was reported to be earning ₹118 crore, but following the performance of his previous film, Darbar, the producer requested a salary reduction. After deliberation, the actor agreed to the lower pay to keep the project moving. The project's title was initially thought to be Viyugam or Mannavan before the final name was revealed. This specific collaboration marked the actor's third project with Sun Pictures.
The production timeline was heavily disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and Rajinikanth's own health issues. While principal photography began on 11 December 2019, the lockdown and the actor's hospitalization in late December 2020 for fluctuating blood pressure caused notable delays. Even after resuming, the crew had to navigate night-time curfews and safety protocols to complete the film. The crew encountered further setbacks when eight staff members tested positive for the virus. This forced a temporary halt to the filming process in December 2020.
Despite receiving critical panning upon its release on 4 November 2021, the film proved to be a commercial powerhouse. It grossed an estimated ₹240 crores worldwide, significantly outperforming its ₹180 crore budget. The film's reach even extended to Argentina, where the Embassy of India promoted it to showcase Indian culture and tourism. The film was granted a U/A certificate by the Central Board of Film Certification. Its total runtime spans approximately 163 minutes.
Directed by Siva, the film stars Rajinikanth as Kaalaiyan, a Thanjavur sarpanch fighting to protect his sister from corporate and criminal threats in Kolkata. The production was a massive undertaking, involving long working hours—sometimes exceeding 14 hours per day—and a complex schedule spanning from Hyderabad to Chennai. The musical score was composed by D. Imman. Several lyricists contributed to the film's soundtrack.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Annaatthe
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