Enga Muthalali

Enga Muthalali (transl. Our Boss) is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by Liaquat Ali Khan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Vijayakanth and Kasthuri. It was released on 13 November 1993.^[1]

Enga Muthalali
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Liaquat Ali Khan
Written by	Panchu Arunachalam
Produced by	Meena Panchu Arunachalam
Starring	Vijayakanth Kasthuri
Cinematography	Rajarajan
Edited by	Ashok Metha
Music by	Ilaiyaraaja
Production company	P. A. Art Productions
Release date	13 November 1993 (1993-11-13)
Running time	150 minutes
Country	India
Language	Tamil

Plot

Vijayaragunatha Reddy, a compassionate landlord and village chieftain, resides with his mother while his younger brother, Balakrishna Reddy "Balu", pursues his college education. Vijayaragunathan witnesses his cousin, Jayarama Reddy, murdering a poor farmer and refuses to withhold his testimony despite his uncle Narayana Reddy's pleas to lie. As a result, Jayarama Reddy is sentenced to life imprisonment. Narayana Reddy seeks revenge against Vijayaragunatha's family for his son's imprisonment. He exploits Seetharama Reddy, the caste union leader's caste-oriented sentiments to create divisions within the community. Vijayaragunathan, who advocates for equality, opposes these decisions, which leads to a confrontation between Vijayaragunathan and Seetharaman. Seetharaman, also Vijayaragunathan's brother-in-law, mistakenly believes Vijayaragunathan orchestrated the humiliation. Seetharaman's daughter, Kalyani, has been in love with Vijayaragunathan since childhood. When Seetharaman discovers their meetings, he beats Kalyani and arranges her marriage to another groom. However, none of the prospective grooms accept due to fear of Vijayaragunathan.

Seetharaman ultimately settles on Panduranga Reddy "Bambaram Pandu", the immature son of Godhandarama Reddy, who agrees to the marriage due to his interest in Seetharaman's property. Vijayaragunathan crashes the wedding, fights off the goons, and helps Kalyani confess her true feelings to the gathered relatives. Despite Seetharaman's objections, Vijayaragunathan and Kalyani get married. Narayana Reddy and his relatives await an opportunity to manipulate Balu against his brother Vijayaragunathan. Meanwhile, Balu falls in love with Kaveri, the daughter of Seetharaman's mistress, Vani Nair. Before departing for Delhi, Balu promises Kaveri that he will marry her, a vow witnessed by Kalyani. Balu and Kaveri eventually consummate their relationship. Narayana Reddy and his sons deceive Balu, claiming that if he leaves for Delhi, Vijayaragunathan will monopolize the family's wealth and make Balu stay in the village, sowing discord between the brothers.

Vijayaragunathan discovers Balu's love for Kaveri and approaches Seetharaman to request her hand in marriage for Balu. Seetharaman, overwhelmed by Vijayaragunatha's gesture, agrees to the union. However, Parvathi, Vijayaragunatha's sister, refuses to accept the marriage, citing the societal implications of Balu marrying the daughter of her husband's mistress. Narayanan Reddy further manipulates Balu, falsely claiming that Vijayaragunathan rejected a lucrative marriage proposal from Krishna Reddy's daughter on Balu's behalf. Narayanan Reddy advises Balu to keep Kaveri as his mistress and marry Krishna Reddy's daughter instead. Trusting Narayanan Reddy's words, Balu calls off the marriage. Vijayaragunathan implores Balu to explain his sudden change of heart, but Balu remains obstinate. In a fit of anger, Vijayaragunathan slaps Balu, who enraged, abandons their home. Narayana Reddy exploits Balu's vulnerability, urging him to partition their ancestral property. But, Vijayaragunathan transfers the entire property to Balu and leaves the house with his mother and Kalyani.

Meanwhile, Jayarama Reddy is released from Salem prison on bail and is made to stay in Salem. During Balu's engagement with Krishna Reddy's daughter, Kaveri interrupts, confronting Balu demanding justice for impregnating her. Balu lashes out at Kaveri. Narayana Reddy secretly brings Jayarama Reddy back to the village and orchestrates Kaveri's murder, using a knife with Balu's fingerprints, and plants the knife in Balu's belongings, framing him for the crime. Balu is falsely arrested and charged with Kaveri's murder. Seetharaman witnesses the murder and is subsequently kidnapped by Jayarama Reddy, who tries to coerce him into committing suicide. Vijayaragunathan intervenes, fighting off Jayarama Reddy and his men, and protects Seetharaman. Seetharaman then brings the police and, using a letter signed by himself on behalf of Narayana Reddy, ensures Narayana Reddy and Jayarama Reddy's arrest. With the truth revealed, Balu is released from prison, and the family reunites, with Balu now reformed.

Cast

• Vijayakanth as Vijayaragunatha Reddy
• Kasthuri as Kalyani
• Radha Ravi as Seetharama Reddy
• Raja as Balakrishna Reddy "Balu"
• R. Sundarrajan as Narayana Reddy
• Napoleon as Jayarama Reddy, Narayana Reddy's son
• John Amirtharaj as Krishna Reddy
• Vellai Subbaiah as a marriage broker
• Karuppu Subbiah as Karuppusamy
• Pasi Narayanan as a marriage broker
• Vennira Aadai Moorthy as Godhandarama Reddy, Pandurangan's father
• Thiyagu as Nanjappan
• Vivek as Panduranga Reddy 'Bambaram Pandu'
• Junior Balaiah as Narayana Reddy's relative
• Nalinikanth as Narayana Reddy's relative
• Sumithra as Parvathi
• Vichithra as Kaveri
• S. N. Parvathy as Pandurangan's mother
• Dubbing Janaki as Vijayaragunatha Reddy, Balu and Parvathi's mother
• C. R. Saraswathi as Vani Nair, Kaveri's Mother
• Thalapathi Dinesh as a henchman (uncredited)

Soundtrack

The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.^[2]

Song	Singer(s)	Lyrics	Length
"Bhoomikkum Saamikkum"	Mano, K. S. Chithra	Vaali	5:05
"Kolli Malai"	Mano, Swarnalatha		4:49
"Kungumam Manjalukku (Ragam: Rathnakanthi)"	K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki		5:00
"Mahathaana Uravugalai"	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam		4:44
"Marumagale"	S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra	Panchu Arunachalam	5:01

Critical reception

Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote, "Liyakat Ali Khan's treatment is fairly neat and he has tackled a subject that is different".^[3] Thulasi of Kalki found the film to be cliched and predictable.^[4]