Adisaya Piravi

Directed by S.P. Muthuraman, Athisaya Piravi is a 1990 fantasy comedy. It stars Rajinikanth, Kanak Ranjan Mishra and Sheeba Akashdeep. The film centres on Kalicharan, who is gunned down by goons and sent into the afterlife. Upon protesting his premature death, he’s awarded a second chance and comes back to Earth in the body of Balwant, a man deeply embroiled in rivalries with his duplicitous relatives. Now, Kalicharan has to contend not only with Balwant’s stormy life but also fight for justice for his own.

Kaalaiyan, a lowly peasant, woos the beautiful Sumathi, but Murukesh, his rich zamindar papa, is not yet willing to disown the kid. Murukesh and his partner decide to murder Kaalaiyan by luring him in with the ruse that he’s marrying Sumathi. As the story progresses, they fail to kill him. During the journey, Kaalaiyan’s spirit visits the underworld and meets the Lord of Death, Yama. He gets carried back to the same physical body of Balu, whose life is still in danger as his father’s brother and sister-in-law plan to kill him.

As Balu learns to acclimate to his new world, he teaches a lesson to his close relatives who mistreated him. One day, Balu suddenly recalls his life before, and he flashes back to his life as Murukesh’s girlfriend-killing goon. He narrates the story to his biological mother and Sumathi. As Gauri moves to Chennai in search of Balu, he finds himself ill-equipped to handle the two women, each of whom believes she has won Balu’s heart now. Balu plots revenge against Murukesh and his girlfriend. When Murukesh’s family comes to visit, Murukesh kidnaps both families and seeks to murder Balu. Balu/Kaalaiyan eventually succeeds in his revenge.

Those expecting a clean return to fantastical whimsy through clever comedy will be surprised, along with our hero, as Athisaya Piravi strikes a delicate balance between playful laughter and emotionally stirring turns that make for an engaging experience. Combined with its playful world-building and jocular spirit, the story hooks you instantly and never lets go. The series’ dual-life concept introduces an even more interesting layer, striking a fascinating balance between more out-there supernatural elements and grounded family drama. A remake of the 1988 Telugu film Yamudiki Mogudu, it keeps the quirky magic intact while bringing its unique twist to the story.