Anniyan is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language psychological action thriller film written and directed by S. Shankar. The film stars Vikram in the lead role, with Sadha and Prakash Raj in significant parts. Produced by V. Ravichandran under the banner Aascar Films, Anniyan features music composed by Harris Jayaraj, cinematography by V. Manikandan and editing by Anthony. The film explores the theme of dissociative identity disorder against the backdrop of widespread civic corruption and social apathy in India.
| Title | Anniyan |
|---|---|
| Language | Tamil |
| Year of release | 2005 |
| Director | S. Shankar |
| Producer | V. Ravichandran |
| Production company | Aascar Films |
| Lead cast | Vikram, Sadha, Prakash Raj |
| Music | Harris Jayaraj |
| Cinematography | V. Manikandan |
| Editing | Anthony |
| Genre | Psychological thriller, action |
| Dubbed versions | Telugu (Aparichithudu), Hindi (Aparichit) |
The film follows Ramanujam Iyengar, an upright but timid lawyer who is frustrated by the everyday corruption, negligence and indifference he sees around him. His suppressed anger manifests as two alternate personalities: Remo, a flamboyant fashion model, and Anniyan, a violent vigilante who punishes wrongdoers using methods drawn from the Garuda Purana. The narrative interweaves a romantic subplot involving Nandhini, played by Sadha, with the police investigation led by a senior officer played by Prakash Raj.
Shankar developed Anniyan as a vehicle to highlight civic responsibility, a recurring theme in his earlier works such as Indian and Mudhalvan. Vikram underwent significant physical and behavioural transformations to portray the three personalities, which became one of the film's most discussed aspects. The production was noted for its scale, including elaborate song sequences and visual effects, with portions filmed in India and abroad.
The soundtrack was composed by Harris Jayaraj, with lyrics primarily by Vairamuthu. The album was a commercial success and the songs received wide airplay. The picturisation of several numbers, particularly the song shot in classical and operatic settings, was praised for its visual style.
Anniyan released in 2005 and became one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of its year. It was dubbed and released in Telugu as Aparichithudu and in Hindi as Aparichit, expanding its commercial footprint beyond Tamil Nadu. The film was both a critical and commercial success, with particular appreciation directed at Vikram's performance, the technical craft, and Shankar's direction.
The film received multiple honours at major Indian film awards. Vikram won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Tamil) and several other state and industry recognitions for his performance. Anniyan also won awards in technical categories, including for visual effects.
Anniyan is regarded as a landmark in Vikram's career and is frequently cited among Shankar's notable works. It is often discussed in studies of mainstream Tamil cinema for its blend of high-concept storytelling, social commentary on corruption and apathy, and large-scale production values. The film also contributed to wider popular interest in references to the Garuda Purana in Indian cinema.