Rajinimurugan is a 2016 Indian Tamil-language masala film written and directed by Ponram, and produced by director N. Lingusamy and N. Subash Chandra Bose under the banner Thirrupathi Brothers.
It stars Sivakarthikeyan in dual roles for the first time in his career; as the title character, a jobless youth who decides to sell his grandfather's property to become rich; and a cameo appearance as Bosepandi from the previous film.
Rajini Murugan is an unemployed youth from Madurai who spends his days roaming around with his best friend Thotathree and supplying food to his grandfather Ayyankalai, a highly respected gentleman who has large properties of land.
Ayyankalai wants to divide all his properties among his children and grandchildren, but except Rajini Murugan and his father Malligarajan, who is the headmaster of the local school, the rest of the family is settled abroad and never visit Madurai.
Nevertheless, Rajini Murugan opens a tea stall outside Karthika's house to stay close to her and follows her day and night.
A gangster "Ezhrai" Mookan, whose only work is to extort ₹100,000 from businessmen, tries to swindle the same amount from Rajini Murugan, but fails and ends up paying ₹100,000 to him.
Following the success of his debut directorial Varuthapadaatha Vaalibar Sangam, director Ponram announced his next project, which also stars Sivakarthikeyan in the lead role.
[4] Reports stated that Nazriya Nazim and Samantha Ruth Prabhu were among the forerunners for the lead female role, later they were replaced by Tamannaah Bhatia.
[6] However, she was subsequently replaced by Keerthy Suresh in 2014, considering her second Tamil film after Idhu Enna Maayam (2015).
[7] Soori was selected to play Sivakarthikeyan's co-star in the film, for the second time after Varuthapadaatha Vaalibar Sangam.
[10] This also considered to be one of the films that shot in Madurai, which includes Nadodigal, Pandiya Naadu, Thoongaa Nagaram.
The team takes a break on end-February 2015, after Keerthy Suresh fell ill.[13] The shooting was completed in March 2015.
One song, "Yennamma Ippadi Panreengalema" was released on 25 May 2015 at the Super Singer World Tour,[14] held at Suntec City in Singapore.
[15][16] The album was launched on 10 June 2015,[17] at a formal event held in Taj Coromandel hotel and was telecasted live on Thanthi TV.
[30] The makers went on with the film's promotion in November 2015, however, the release was pushed further, due to the 2015 South Indian Floods.
Hence, in order to overcome the losses, Lingusamy desperately sold both Uttama Villain and Rajinimurugan, to Eros International.
It is also utterly unambitious, content with clearing its low bar, but this unpretentiousness is also what makes it work to an extent.
"[37] The Guardian rated it 3 out of 5 stars, saying, "This long-gestating slice of fun about the successes of the world's least ambitious individual is a likable, irreverent ride".
"[40] S. Sarswathi from Rediff.com rated 2.5 out of 5 stars, and reviewed "Director Ponram's Rajini Murugan has no real plot, nor any remarkable characters or poignant moments but good music, vibrant visuals and spontaneity and charm of its lead actor makes it a fun watch".
"[43] Studioflicks rated the film 2.75 out of 5, stating "Rajini Murugan is a neat entertainer for family audiences, where they can come relaxed and enjoy show grabbing their favourite piece of snacks.
"[44] In contrast, Gauthaman Baskaran for the Hindustan Times, rated 1 out of 5 stars, and reviewed it as "Hackneyed plotlines, silly jokes and endless song-and-dance--that is much of Tamil film industry's lot.