The film was directed by Rajasekhar.
So, Maappillai became the fifth collaboration between director Rajasekhar and Rajini after Thambikku Endha Ooru, Gangvaa, Padikkathavan, and Maaveeran.Maapillai was the official remake of Telugu blockbuster 'Athaku Yamudu Ammayiki Mogudu' that starred Megastar Chiranjeevi, who, incidentally, did a cameo in the Tamil version too.The film was produced by Allu Aravind under his banner of Geetha Arts.Maappillai was written by Panju Arunachalam. The story was credited to Geetha Arts story department.Initially, the pivotal role of Rajinikanth's mother-in-law was offered to Vyjayanthimala. But she refused the role after which it was offered to Srividya.The film opened to positive response from the public and ran for 150 days, and was declared a blockbuster at the box-office.The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with the song 'Ennoda Raasi Nalla Raasi' going on to become a huge chartbuster.The film was remade again in Tamil with the same title, after 22 years in 2011. The Suraj-directorial, starring Dhanush, was a BO failure.Here are a few more stills from the film...