As Kamal's iconic comedy completes 24 years, we take you on a walk back on the memory lane with some interesting trivia, unseen pictures, and rare posters from the film.

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Revisiting Avvai Shanmughi: A nostalgic look-back at the Kamal Haasan film with 23 lesser-known facts & unseen pictures

Team CE

Published:10th Nov, 2019 at 6:09 PM

Kamal Haasan began production on the film after his project with director Balachandra Menon's Kandaen Seethayae gor delayed.

Kamal initially approached Sivaji Ganesan to play Meena's father in the film, but his ill health forced him to sign up Gemini Ganesan for the role.

A debutant by name Sri Durga was roped in to play second heroine in the film.

But, she was later replaced by Sanghavi. Sanghavi was ultimately replaced by Heera Rajgopal

Ann Anra was introduced as Kamalhasan's little daughter in the film. She recently her masters in Business Administration in London.

Stunt master Kanal Kannan appeared in a small role of a street rogue

Kamal dedicated this film to his mentor stage actor 'Avvai' T. K. Shanmugham, who was known for playing female roles in stage plays.

This was one of Kamal's getup for the film's first photoshoot, before Michael Westmore entered the project.

Kamal, unsatisfied with the look, signed up Hollywood makeup-artist Michael Westmore for the film.

Michael Westmore provided advice for sculpting the new 'maami' look alongside KM Sarathkumar.

Michael Westmore took a month to design the look for Kamal's Avvai Shanmughi look.

The make-up took five hours to put on and lasts for only five more hours.

Kamal wore a nine-yard saree in the film for the female character.

The padding and foundation used gave Kamal Hasan an allergic reaction beneath his eyes, hence for the Hindi remake they ensured that scenes of the male role were shot first.

Meena later said she was forced into doing the infamous shower scene since she wanted to work with Kamal badly and she didn't want to do a lip to lip kissing scene with him.

The movie was dubbed and released simultaneously in Telugu as Bhamane Satyabhamane.

Kamal Haasan made his directorial debut by remaking the film in Hindi as Chachi 420 with Tabu, Amrish Puri, Om Puri and himself in the leadi roles.

All the lyrics for the film were penned by Vaali.

The music was by Deva, who was very busy with his commitments at the time.

The song 'Rukku Rukku' is based on the Sahana raga.

Kamal sang Rukku Rukku in his own voice after being unsatisfied with the other singers' version.

The movie is inspired from the Hollywood film Mrs. Doubtfire (1993). But, Kamal has never admitted this in public.

The film's dialogues, written by Crazy Mohan, went viral, and became part of the pop culture of the 90s.

Here are some rare pictures, working stills, event photos, posters, and newspaper ads from the iconic film...

Here are some rare pictures, working stills, event photos, posters, and newspaper ads from the iconic film...

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