Uzhaippali

Rajini is working as a coolie in a factory. He is asked by three brothers (Nizhalgal Ravi, Radharavi, S. S. Chandran) to act as a foreign-returned rich man, the heir of a property. Rajini acts, but always escapes as he doesn't want to face consequences. But then he comes to know that he is the heir to the property, his father was killed by three brothers to take away the property and mother (Sujatha) became a mental patient. He avenges the death of his father by killing the villains. At last, he says he doesn't want to be an heir to money and always remains as a coolie.

Uzhaippali marked the comeback of Vijaya Productions who stopped producing for 20 years. This was P. Vasu's third collaboration with Rajinikanth after Panakkaran and Mannan. P. Vasu directed Uzhaippali after the grand success of Mannan. Unlike a remake film, Vasu penned the original story based on MGR's formula film Enga Veetu Pillai.[2]

On 5 February 1993, Uzhaippali had a grand pooja at Vijaya Vauhini studio. The pooja was conducted even though the distributors not willing to distribute the film and the Red Card against Rajini wasn't removed. Entire film personalities attended the launch and the media covered the news in an exclusive manner.[2]

When the shooting was happening in Chickmanglore, cast and crew were refused to book rooms in hotel for not paying the discount, Rajini was sleeping in car due to non-availability.[3] Vasu completed the film in 58 days and the film was announced for June release. During the production of the film Vijaya Vauhini did a very good publicity in media and newspapers. Especially on Tamil New Year day, they gave special advertisements in the papers and was very much attractive.[2]

Heroine role was first offered to Kasthuri, but was later dropped and replaced by Roja.

All music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. There are seven tracks in this film. The lyrics were written by Vaali.[4][5]

Uzhaippali was released on 24 June 1993.[6] The film was much in news as, distributors banned Rajini movies and to resolve the issue, Rajini met Kamal Haasan and the next day, Uzhaippali was announced. The film was released straight in theaters without the support of distributors and become a hit by running more than 100 days.[7][8] When the film was ready for release, producer was in doldrums how to release it when there is Red Card on Rajini. Rajini came up with an idea to distribute the film directly to theatres. Rajini distributed the film in NSC through his Distribution Company Ramana Film Distributors. In Chennai, Uzhaippali released in Albert, Abirami, Kamala, Crown and Sri Brinda. The film opening reservation was fabulous and almost 15 days houseful in reservation. The opening report was fantastic and became talk of the town. Uzhaiappali had a non-stop run for 116 days in Chennai's Albert and Abirami and 150 days in Madurai's Cine Priya. The film released in overseas too especially in Singapore and Malaysia doing decent business.[2]

The Indian Express wrote "Uzhaippali is a neat, unpretentious entertainer from reel one and Vasu has kept up the pace of narration without a moment's boredom".[9]