Mappillai (1989) poster

Mappillai (1989)

28 October 19892h 30mTamilIndia

DirectorRajashekar

StarringRajinikanth, Amala Akkineni, Srividya, Jaishankar

Watch onSun Nxt, VI movies and tv

Best for: Viewers who enjoy Rajinikanth-led family dramas built on ego clashes and revenge marriages.

Where to watch Mappillai online in India

Subscription

Sun NxtVI movies and tv

Availability for India, data by JustWatch. Updated 24 October 2026.

Mappillai story (no spoilers)

Rajarajeswari has Aarumugam's sister arrested after discovering the sister is in love with Rajarajeswari's son. In retaliation, Aarumugam decides to marry Rajarajeswari's daughter Geetha to teach Rajarajeswari a lesson. The film sets up this clash between Aarumugam and Rajarajeswari, with Geetha caught in the middle as the marriage becomes a weapon. The tone is dramatic, driven by the conflict between the two families and Aarumugam's plan for payback.

Should you watch Mappillai?

Watch it for

  • Rajinikanth plays Aarumugam, the man who marries Geetha to settle a score with her mother.
  • Amala Akkineni plays Geetha, the daughter drawn into Aarumugam's plan of revenge.
  • Srividya plays Rajarajeswari, whose arrest of Aarumugam's sister sets the whole conflict in motion.
  • Director Rajashekar and composer Ilaiyaraaja team up for this 1989 Tamil film running 150 minutes.

Skip it if

  • You prefer films with clearly defined genres; no genres are listed for this movie.
  • You want a short watch; the runtime is 150 minutes.
  • You are looking for something outside a family-feud revenge story, which is the core of the plot.

Mappillai cast

RajinikanthRajinikanthas Arumugam
Amala AkkineniAmala Akkinenias Geetha
SrividyaSrividyaas Rajarajeswari
JaishankarJaishankaras Ramanathan
Nizhalgal RaviNizhalgal Ravias Ravi
Vinu ChakravarthyVinu Chakravarthy
S. S. ChandranS. S. Chandran
JanakiJanaki
DilipDilip
RajaRaja
R.S. ShivajiR.S. Shivaji
ChiranjeeviChiranjeevi

Mappillai movie details

DirectorRajashekar
WriterPanchu Arunachalam
MusicIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyJ. V. Suresh
ProducerAllu Aravind
Release date28 October 1989
Runtime2h 30m (150 minutes)
Original languageTamil
Country of originIndia
Languages spoken in the filmTamil

Parental guide: is Mappillai family friendly?

ViolenceMild
LanguageMild
Sexual contentNone
Family viewingSuitable

This is a general guide based on the film's genre and 1989 Tamil release; no certification is provided in the facts. This is a general guide based on genre and certification.

Our verdict

Mappillai gives Rajinikanth a role that mixes family loyalty with a stubborn plan for payback. The pairing with Amala Akkineni and the clash with Srividya's character drive the drama, and Ilaiyaraaja's music adds to the 1989 Tamil film experience. It is a straightforward revenge story that leans on its cast and director rather than on genre tricks.

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Frequently asked questions

Where can I watch Mappillai online in India?

Mappillai is available for subscription streaming on Sun Nxt and VI movies and tv in India. It is not listed as free on any major Indian OTT platform.

When was Mappillai released?

Mappillai was released on 28 October 1989 in India. It was released in Tamil.

Who is in the cast of Mappillai?

The cast includes Rajinikanth as Arumugam, Amala Akkineni as Geetha, Srividya as Rajarajeswari, Jaishankar as Ramanathan, Nizhalgal Ravi as Ravi, Vinu Chakravarthy, S. S. Chandran, and Janaki.

Who directed Mappillai?

Mappillai was directed by Rajashekar. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

What is the runtime of Mappillai?

Mappillai runs for 150 minutes. It is a Tamil-language film.

Page last updated 24 October 2026. Facts from TMDB; how we write these pages: editorial policy.