Muhammad bin Tughluq is a 1971 Indian Tamil-language political satire film written and directed by Cho Ramaswamy, in his directorial debut.

Cho stars as the title character, with R. Neelakantan, S. Rajagopal, Veerasami, Peeli Sivam, Manorama, Sukumari and G. Sakunthala in supporting roles.

The film revolves around Tughluq, a fourteenth century sultan, waking up in 1971 and rising through the ranks in Indian politics.

In 1971, explorer Rangachari goes to Daulatabad to research the fourteenth century sultan Muhammad bin Tughluq, who had an arrogant attitude, indifferent view towards his kingdom and subjects, treated his guests poorly and introduced absurd plans that backfired.

They claim to be Tughluq and his accomplice Ibn Battuta, buried several centuries ago along with a herb that has kept them alive all the while.

Thanikachalam, an ageing freedom fighter and his daughter Gandhimathi volunteer to help taking part in his political rallies.

A total of 324/545 MPs join his party and all of them want themselves to be made Deputy Prime Ministers (DPM), and confusion ensures.

When there is a calamity for his decisions he makes a direct speech to the people through radio, to request peace and falsely promises to look into the problem.

Unknown to anyone, "Tughluq" and "Battuta" are actually Thanikachalam's disciples Mahadevan and Raghavan who indulged in this charade to reform the country.

Gandhimathi, now equally corrupt herself and for the sake of the children she takes care of, refuses to hand over the letter because she would get into trouble for supporting Mahadevan and Raghavan, and burns it.

Raghavan attempts to explain everything to the cabinet ministers and later to the masses; however, "Tughluq" lies that "Battuta" has gone insane and asks everyone not to believe him.

Muhammad bin Tughluq, a play written by Cho and first staged in 1968, became a success despite becoming controversial for targeting the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) founder M. Karunanidhi[7] and the then Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.

[15] In a review dated 21 March 1971, Ananda Vikatan described Muhammad bin Tughluq as testimony for Cho's wisdom to make a film teasing the Indian politics with intelligence combined with comedy, maturity and clarity of thought, without hurting others.

[4] Muhammad bin Tughluq attained cult status in Tamil cinema,[7] and became a trendsetter for socio-political satire films which provoked the public, including Kaliyuga Kannan (1974), Rudra Thandavam (1978) and Amaidhipadai (1994).