Maanbumigu Maanavan is a 1996 Tamil action drama film directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar. It stars Vijay with Swapna Bedi, Mansoor Ali Khan, Manivannan and Kalyan. Music by Deva. It was released on 12 April 1996.
Shiva is a college student living with his widowed mother and sister, who helps his friend Sundar elope with classmate Priya against her rich father's wishes, while Sneha, the daughter of ACP Chandrabose, falls for him. Tragedy strikes when Madhan, son of the rowdy politician Desigan, assaults and murders Priya on campus. Shiva and his friends want revenge, but Chandrabose insists on due process — only for a slippery lawyer, Killadi Krishnaswamy, to win Madhan's acquittal. As Desigan's violence escalates against Shiva's own family, the student and the policeman are forced into an uneasy alliance against Desigan, his son and a hidden third conspirator.
Vijay plays Shiva, an angry college student who turns vigilante, with a new hair-and-beard look as part of an image makeover. It was one of the early S. A. Chandrasekhar action vehicles built around him around the time of his romantic breakthrough Poove Unakkaga.
Figures are trade estimates reported at the time and may vary.
Story was written by Vijay's mother Shoba Chandrasekhar; directed by his father S. A. Chandrasekhar.
Vijay sang the song 'Thiruthani' himself.
Swapna Bedi made her acting debut as the heroine.
Chandrasekhar originally wanted Devayani to pair with Vijay, but a newcomer was cast instead.
Vijay sported a completely different hairstyle and beard for the role as part of an image makeover.
On the sets, Chandrasekhar slapped actor Chaplin Balu over an assistant director's mistake, which led Vijay to argue with his father.
Deva's soundtrack was a big hit, with audio rights held by Pyramid Audio and Rajshri Tamil.
Despite its hit songs, the film ran for no more than 50 days.
Released on 12 April 1996, about two months after Vijay's breakthrough hit Poove Unakkaga (February 1996).
The Hindu found Shoba's story 'of the usual variety' but felt the screenplay entertained 'fairly adequately', highlighting the clash between Vijay's student and Vijayakumar's police officer. The songs were popular even though the film itself did not run long.