“Avvai Shanmugi” (1996) is a Tamil comedy-drama film directed by K. S. Ravikumar, starring Kamal Haasan in a dual role. The story follows Pandian, a devoted father who is heartbroken after his wife Janaki divorces him and takes custody of their daughter. Wanting to stay close to his child, Pandian disguises himself as an elderly Brahmin woman named Avvai Shanmugi and gets hired as a nanny in his ex-wife’s house. Through cleverness and emotional bonding, he manages to care for his daughter while slowly mending the broken relationships within the family. The film explores themes of love, parenting, and reconciliation, all delivered with a perfect blend of humor and sentiment. Kamal Haasan’s remarkable transformation and performance as Avvai Shanmugi, combined with Deva’s music and a strong supporting cast, made the film a huge success. Loosely based on the Hollywood movie Mrs. Doubtfire, Avvai Shanmugi stands out as a heartwarming entertainer that appeals to audiences of all ages.