National Anthem) is a 1998 Indian Tamil-language political drama film written and directed by Cheran.

[3][4] A critic from Dinakaran noted "Cheran has won in highlighting minutely and emotively the village maladies and it's disastrous shortcomings".

[6] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu wrote, "A thought-provoking movie on the plight of the villagers denied basic necessities like water, roads, hospitals and consumable rice at the FP shops, has been brought out with a lot of thrust by director Cheran".

Cheran, who claimed his intentions were not to hurt anyone, invited Karunanidhi to watch the film and decide, but he refused.

However, politician G. K. Moopanar lauded the film for Cheran's work, and actor Rajinikanth, who supported the alliance of Karunanidhi's party Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and Moopanar's Tamil Maanila Congress (TMC) in the 1996 Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly (which TMC won), said Cheran brought out whatever messages he (Rajinikanth) would have liked to deliver.