{ "id": "ep9c2k7b54", "slug": "basha", "title": "Basha", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000: Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "path": [ { "id": "geo.ind", "label": "India", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946", "label": "India · 1946 to 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema", "label": "Indian films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000", "label": "Tamil films before 2000", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000" }, { "id": "geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "label": "Released 1992 to 1999", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.ind.t1946.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Baashha (பாட்ஷா) is a 1995 Tamil gangster action film directed by Suresh Krissna, starring Rajinikanth as auto driver Manickam hiding a don's past, with Nagma and Raghuvaran; Deva composed, 1995 Pongal release, re-released in 4K in 2025.", "snippet": "Baashha (பாட்ஷா) is a 1995 Tamil gangster action film directed by Suresh Krissna, starring Rajinikanth as auto driver Manickam hiding a don's past, with Nagma and Raghuvaran; Deva composed, 1995 Pongal release, re-released in 4K in 2025.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.indian-cinema.tamil-films-before-2000.yr-1992-1999", "markdown": "# Basha\n\n**Baashha** (பாட்ஷா) is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language action gangster film directed by [Suresh Krissna](https://www.edgepedia.org/suresh-krissna), starring [Rajinikanth](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajinikanth) as Manickam, an auto-rickshaw driver hiding a past as a Mumbai crime boss, with Nagma and [Raghuvaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/raghuvaran) in lead supporting roles.[1](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajinikanths-baasha-completes-30-years-4k-version-releases-in-theatres-director-suresh-krissna-expresses-fondness/articleshow/122745833.cms) Produced by R. M. Veerappan under his Sathya Movies banner, it opened on 12 January 1995 during Pongal and became the biggest blockbuster of Rajinikanth's career, running in theaters for about 15 months across India.[2](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Original release | 12 January 1995, Tamil language, Pongal release[3](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/baasha-1995) |\n| Director and writer | Suresh Krissna (direction and screenplay)[4](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6913) |\n| Production | R. M. Veerappan, V. Thamilazhagan, and V. Rajammal for Sathya Movies[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baasha_1995) |\n| Music | Deva; lyrics by Vairamuthu; most songs sung by S. P. Balasubrahmanyam[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres) |\n| Cast | Rajinikanth (Manickam), Nagma (Priya), Raghuvaran (Mark Antony), Janagaraj, Devan, Vijayakumar, Anandraj[5](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baasha_1995) |\n| Certified length | 2 hours, 25 minutes, 1 second per the CBFC listing; other catalogs give 144 minutes or 2h 24m[7](https://cbfc.watch/film/baashha-2018) • [4](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6913) |\n| 30th-anniversary re-release | 4K remaster with Dolby Atmos, in theaters from 18 July 2025[3](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/baasha-1995) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nManickam is a mild-mannered auto-rickshaw driver in Madras (Chennai) who avoids violence and supports his mother, brother, and sisters.[3](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/baasha-1995) He hides a former identity: he was once Manick Baasha, a feared but just Mumbai don who walked away from crime.[8](https://www.iffigoa.org/public/pdfs/catalogue/Catalogue.pdf) In the standard account, his younger brother, a police officer, gets into trouble with goons, forcing Manickam to reveal his past and reclaim his underworld persona to protect his family.[4](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6913) The gangster [Mark Antony](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-antony) (Raghuvaran) is his principal antagonist; in one version of the backstory, Antony murders Manickam's father, who extracts a dying promise that Manickam will live honestly, and the conflict resumes when Antony reappears in his life.[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres)\n\nThe film's most quoted moment comes just before the interval, when Manickam says, \"Ayya, ennoda paer Manickam. Enakku innoru paerum irukku\" (Sir, my name is Manickam, but I am also known by another name). Director Suresh Krissna has described the film as built from this single reveal, with earlier clues arranged to pay it off.[9](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/baashas-universal-appeal-not-surprising-director-suresh-krissna/) Another widely remembered line is \"Naan oru thadava sonna, nooru thadava sonna mathiri\" (What I say once is like saying it a hundred times).[2](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161)\n\n## Origin and production\n\n**The idea began on another film's set.** While the Hindi film *Hum* (starring [Amitabh Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/amitabh-bachchan), Govinda, and Rajinikanth) was being shot, the three actors discussed a scene in which Govinda, rejected from a police recruitment interview, is helped by Amitabh's monologue; director Mukul S. Anand liked the idea but dropped it from the screenplay.[10](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/tuesday-trivia-rajinikanth-s-baashha-was-born-on-the-sets-of-amitabh-bachchan-and-govinda-s-hum-1710110-2020-08-11) In 1992, while working with Krissna on *Annamalai*, Rajinikanth mentioned the conversation; Krissna kept the idea in mind, and after *Veera* released in 1994 the two began work on the film without a fixed story. Rajinikanth suggested the title.[10](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/tuesday-trivia-rajinikanth-s-baashha-was-born-on-the-sets-of-amitabh-bachchan-and-govinda-s-hum-1710110-2020-08-11)\n\nThe production moved quickly: Krissna developed the script in about a month, and the film was shot in less than five months starting in August 1994 to meet a 1995 release date.[9](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/baashas-universal-appeal-not-surprising-director-suresh-krissna/) • [11](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/Jan/15/every-time-it-is-on-tv-i-receive-at-least-20-texts-705401.html) Krissna described the working method as collaborative: he and Rajinikanth discussed moments and developed them on set, never locking the script beforehand, with suggestions from both sides debated without ego.[9](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/baashas-universal-appeal-not-surprising-director-suresh-krissna/) The crew included cinematographer P. S. Prakash and editor Ganesh Kumar.[4](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6913)\n\n## Release and reception\n\nBaashha premiered with a special screening at Albert Theatre, Chennai, on 11 January 1995, the day before release, with industry figures including producer A.V.M. Saravanan and [Sivaji Ganesan](https://www.edgepedia.org/sivaji-ganesan)'s family in attendance.[12](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-working-with-rajinikanth-baasha-director-tells-all/20121212.htm) It was a critical and commercial success, described in press accounts as the biggest blockbuster of Rajinikanth's career and a trendsetter for commercial action filmmaking in Indian cinema.[2](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161) Krissna later recalled that the film completed a 175-day run in theaters and that it still draws fan messages whenever it airs on television.[11](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/Jan/15/every-time-it-is-on-tv-i-receive-at-least-20-texts-705401.html) Rajinikanth received the Cinema Express Award for Best Actor for the role.[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres)\n\nDeva's soundtrack was a major part of the film's appeal; songs including \"Naan Autokaaran\", \"Baasha Paaru\", and \"Style Style Thaan\" remain popular, with Vairamuthu's lyrics and [S. P. Balasubrahmanyam](https://www.edgepedia.org/s-p-balasubrahmanyam)'s singing.[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres) Raghuvaran's portrayal of Mark Antony is still regarded as one of the notable antagonist performances in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema).[6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres)\n\n## Legacy and remakes\n\nThe film was remade in several languages, and its structure, a peaceable man concealing a violent past who is forced to reveal it, became a widely repeated template in South Indian commercial cinema.[2](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161) At a pre-release event in [Hyderabad](https://www.edgepedia.org/hyderabad), the Tamil actor Vijay said that many films had been made based on the Manickam Baashha story.[13](https://pynr.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/26-VJA-12-PAGES-PDF.pdf) The film also reached international genre audiences through a screening at [Fantastic Fest](https://www.edgepedia.org/fantastic-fest) in [Austin, Texas](https://www.edgepedia.org/austin-texas), described as the largest genre film festival in the United States.[9](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/baashas-universal-appeal-not-surprising-director-suresh-krissna/)\n\n## Re-releases\n\nBaashha has returned to theaters repeatedly. In 2017 the makers digitally remastered the film and released it in 80 theaters across [Tamil Nadu](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-nadu), with a further select-theater re-release on December 11 two years later.[14](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/baashha-to-re-release-in-select-theaters-on-december-11-6135769/) For the film's 30th anniversary, Sathya Movies' 60th year, and Rajinikanth's 50th year in cinema, a 4K-remastered version with [Dolby Atmos](https://www.edgepedia.org/dolby-atmos) sound was re-released on 18 July 2025, alongside Sathya Movies' *Idhayakkanni*; the announcement was made in January 2025 with the date confirmed later.[2](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161) • [15](https://chennaivision.com/after-30-years-baashha-returns-to-your-favorite-theaters/) • [6](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres) Trade reporting on the broader wave of Tamil re-releases noted that revivals including Baashha did not always mint large sums at the box office.[16](https://tfapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/trade-guide-may-2025.pdf)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Rajinikanth's 'Baasha' completes 30 years; 4K version releases in theatres, Times of India (18 July 2025)](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/rajinikanths-baasha-completes-30-years-4k-version-releases-in-theatres-director-suresh-krissna-expresses-fondness/articleshow/122745833.cms)\n2. [Rajinikanth's superhit film 'Baashha' completes 30 years; film to be re-released, DT Next / IANS (13 January 2025)](https://www.dtnext.in/amp/story/entertainment/cinema/rajinikanths-superhit-film-baashha-completes-30-years-film-to-be-re-released-819161)\n3. [Baasha (1995), Indian Film History](https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/movie/baasha-1995)\n4. [Baashha, IFFI Goa film guide entry](https://filmguide.iffigoa.org/detail/?id=6913)\n5. [Baasha (1995), Rotten Tomatoes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/baasha_1995)\n6. [Rajinikanth's cult classic Baasha to re-release in theatres, Cinema Express (17 July 2025)](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2025/Jul/17/rajinikanths-cult-classic-baasha-to-re-release-in-theatres)\n7. [BAASHHA, CBFC Watch certification listing](https://cbfc.watch/film/baashha-2018)\n8. [IFFI catalogue entry for Baashha (PDF)](https://www.iffigoa.org/public/pdfs/catalogue/Catalogue.pdf)\n9. ['Baasha's Universal Appeal Is Not Surprising': Director Suresh Krissna, Silverscreen India (2017)](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/features/baashas-universal-appeal-not-surprising-director-suresh-krissna/)\n10. [Tuesday Trivia: Rajinikanth's Baashha was born on the sets of Hum, India Today (2020)](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/tuesday-trivia-rajinikanth-s-baashha-was-born-on-the-sets-of-amitabh-bachchan-and-govinda-s-hum-1710110-2020-08-11)\n11. ['Every Time it is on TV, I Receive at Least 20 Texts', The New Indian Express (2015)](https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/2015/Jan/15/every-time-it-is-on-tv-i-receive-at-least-20-texts-705401.html)\n12. [Working with Rajinikanth: Baasha director tells all, Rediff.com (excerpt from *My Days with Baasha*, 2012)](https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-working-with-rajinikanth-baasha-director-tells-all/20121212.htm)\n13. [The Pioneer, Vijayawada edition (PDF)](https://pynr.in/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/26-VJA-12-PAGES-PDF.pdf)\n14. [Baashha to re-release in select theaters on December 11, The Indian Express (2019)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/baashha-to-re-release-in-select-theaters-on-december-11-6135769/)\n15. [After 30 years, Baashha returns to your favorite theaters, Chennai Vision (July 2025)](https://chennaivision.com/after-30-years-baashha-returns-to-your-favorite-theaters/)\n16. [Is Tamil cinema going overboard on re-releases of old films?, Trade Guide (PDF, TFAPA)](https://tfapa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/trade-guide-may-2025.pdf)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films before 2000 › Released 1992 to 1999*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/basha", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/basha.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Basha\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/basha. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Basha](https://www.edgepedia.org/basha)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/basha](https://www.edgepedia.org/basha). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Basha\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/basha. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Baashha is a 1995 Tamil gangster action film directed by Suresh Krissna, starring Rajinikanth as auto driver Manickam hiding a don's past, with Nagma and Raghuvaran; Deva composed, 1995 Pongal release, re-released in 4K in 2025." }