Twenty-one years ago, director Shankar released Anniyan, a psychological thriller that would become one of Tamil cinema’s most celebrated cult classics. Starring Vikram in a career-defining role, the film continues to captivate audiences with its bold narrative and spectacular execution.
India’s Most Expensive Film of 2005
Made on a massive budget of ₹26 crore, Anniyan was the most expensive Indian film ever made at the time of its release. The ambitious project opened to rave reviews from audiences and emerged as a major commercial success, with critics and fans alike praising Vikram‘s transformative performance across three distinct characters.
Pioneering Mental Health in Mainstream Cinema
Anniyan is considered one of the earliest Indian films to deal with mental health disorders in a mainstream context. Perhaps the only commercial film to explore Multiple Personality Disorder (MPD) in depth, the story follows Vikram as an advocate, a fashion model, and an infamous vigilante who targets corrupt individuals after sunset.
The Cast That Almost Was
Sadha, who plays Vikram‘s love interest Nandini, wasn’t the first choice for the role. Aishwarya Rai was initially approached with the script but remained unavailable due to prior film commitments. Prakash Raj delivers a compelling performance as a cop—this remains the only Shankar directorial he has appeared in to date. Vivek provides much-needed comic relief to balance the film’s intense social commentary.
A Cross-Cultural Phenomenon
What makes Anniyan even more remarkable is its cross-cultural success. The Telugu-dubbed version titled Aparichitudu released to rave reviews and enjoyed an excellent run at the box office. Shankar’s unparalleled vision worked in perfect harmony with Harris Jayaraj‘s memorable music, creating a cinematic experience that transcended language barriers.
Two decades down the line, Anniyan still enjoys strong viewership on television. Vikram‘s three-shaded performance remains widely acclaimed as one of the best in Indian cinema.
