Baasha is a 1995 Indian Tamil action movie directed by Suresh Krissna. Baasha was produced by V. Thamilazhagan and V. Rajammal under the production banner Sathya Movies. Baasha stars Rajinikanth and Nagma in lead roles with Raghuvaran, Janagaraj and Vijayakumar playing supporting roles. The plot revolves around the life of an autodriver Manikkam, who stays from violence but forced to show his violent side after his sister is attacked and his past life as a gangster is revealed.
Principal photography of the film took place at AVM Studios and majority of Baasha was shot in a set built at Vijaya Vauhini Studios. P. S. Prakash was the film’s cinematographer, and it was edited by Ganesh Kumar. The dialogues for the Baasha were written by Balakumaran. The soundtrack and background score were composed by Deva and lyrics were written by Vairamuthu. Baasha was released on 12 January 1995 to positive feedback and became one of the highly successful films in the career of Rajinikanth. Rajinikanth won Filmfans Association Award and Cinema Express Award for the Best Actor for his performance in Baasha.
Manikkam (Rajinikanth) is a humble auto driver who helps the needy. He also keeps away from unnecessary fights and quarrels. His ambition is to bring up his brother and sisters with flying colours. His brother Shiva (Shashikumar) gets through the police training and waits for posting. Manikkam meets Priya (Nagma), a rich girl who travels frequently in his auto. She develops a respect and feelings for him due to his nobility.
Shiva attends his interview and he is asked to bring his brother to office by a senior official when he hears the name Manikkam and Shiva’s birthplace is Bombay. Hesitating at first, Manikkam goes to commissioner’s office. Manikkam’s sister who had passed with more marks requests a medical seat to a medical college proprietor. The proprietor demands that she sleep with him and stay in his guest house. Hearing about this Manikkam meets the guy. He surprises his sister when he makes the proprietor bow to him and readily to give seat without any condition. He also surprises his brother when he attacks the area Don who teased his sister. The men attacked by Manikkam are critical in the hospital. Shiva inquires Manikkam about his past life in Bombay. The film then goes into a flashback about Manikkam’s life at Bombay.
The flashback shows that Manikkam was actually once a Don named Manik Baashha in Bombay. He had a great friend Anwar Baashha (Charan Raj). They were great friends despite being from different religions. Once Anwar questions the activities of the Mafia Don Anthony (Raghuvaran). Events lead to Anthony’s men killing Anwar on the main road. Manikkam is saved due to the pleas of his father (Vijayakumar), who works as the personal assistant of Anthony.
Manikkam vows to avenge his dear friend’s death. He does so by murdering all those responsible before even his friend is laid to rest. The people of Bombay also come to his support and claim they have not seen any murder occur to the police. Manikkam soon becomes Manik Baasha, the Don – a “Robin Hood” kind of a don. He is greatly revered by the people. But situations lead him to direct confrontation with Mark Anthony. Anthony convinces an assistant of Baasha to murder him on his birthday. But Baashha cleverly recognises the plot and his foes end up shooting a wax model of him. The assistant is evicted and he later appears in the movie as the father of Priya.
Meanwhile, Anthony goes desperate in his attempts to quell the Baashha challenge. The only option left with him is to kill Baasha’s father. His loyalty notwithstanding, Anthony proceeds with that. Baashha on the other hand aids the police in the arrest of Anthony. He also promises his father before his death to forgo all illicit activities and return to Madras (now Chennai) to lead a peaceful life. He makes the media and the police believe that he has died in an accident.
Meanwhile Priya proposes to Manikkam. Her father arranges for a marriage with one of his men against Priya’s wishes. She begs for Manikkam to save her life else she will kill herself. On the day of marriage, Manikkam deeply thinks and finally decides to save Priya. He reaches the marriage hall and shows his hand to Priya. Priya is surprised when her dad did not show sign of opposing and is not aware of the fact that her father is familiar to Manikkam as Baasha. Priya’s dad lets them go. An underling informs Mark Anthony that Manikkam is alive. Anthony escapes from Bombay jail and kills Kesavan (Devan), avenging his family’s death. He kidnaps Manikkam’s family before Manikkam comes to their rescue. In the struggle Manikkam loses one of his friends. Manikkam rescues his family from Anthony and chases him. Just as he is about to kill Anthony, he is stopped by DIG Dinakar (Kitty). Anthony then tries to shoot Manikkam, but is instead shot dead by Shiva. Then Manikkam marries Priya.
Directed by Suresh Krissna
Produced by R. M. Veerappan, V. Rajammal & V. Thamilazhagan
Written by Balakumaran (dialogues)
Starring Rajinikanth, Nagma, Raghuvaran, Janagaraj
Music by Deva
Cinematography P. S. Prakash
Edited by Ganesh Kumar
Production Sathya Movies
Distributed by Sathya Movies
Release dates 12 January 1995
Running time 144 minutes
Country India
Language Tamil
Visitor Rating: 4 Stars