Thiyagu is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language drama film directed by S. P. Muthuraman and written by Sivasankari.

When M. Saravanan of AVM Productions met Charuhasan, he asked about controlling budget in art films for which Charuhasan said the film costs can be recovered after selling rights for national television for which they provide ₹8 lakh (equivalent to ₹78 lakh or US$91,000 in 2023),[1] which impressed Saravanan and he decided to make a "purposeful movie".

[2] Oru Manithanin Kathai, a novel written by Sivasankari and serialised in the magazine Ananda Vikatan from 1978 to 1979, was adapted into a TV series by the same name in 1985 and starred Raghuvaran.

[3][4] AVM later decided to adapt this series into a feature film titled Thiyagu; Raghuvaran returned in the same role, and S. P. Muthuraman was hired as director.

[5][9] Saravanan revealed when he wanted to sell the satellite rights to Doordarshan, they refused, saying the film lacked "entertainment value".