Desert roses)[2] is a 1986 Indian Tamil-language political satire film written by M. Karunanidhi and directed by Manivannan.

[17] Despite facing competition from other Diwali releases such as Maaveeran, Punnagai Mannan,[18] and Aruvadai Naal,[19] the film emerged a commercial success, and was instrumental in establishing Sathyaraj as a "mass hero".

[20] It also led to a slew of political films being made, mainly those which spoke against MLAs and ministers, depicting them as womanisers, drunkards and wheeler dealers.

[21] In a review dated 7 November 1986, N. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote, "One sees [Karunanidhi's] stamp in the hyperbolic references to the pen being mightier than the sword, and in certain needless allusions, but these however are not too long or too frequent to detract from the value of the film.

"[6] Ananda Vikatan, in a review dated 23 November, said the film stands out because of the right cast chosen to play the various roles.