Arunachalam is a 1997 Indian Tamil-language masala film directed by Sundar C and written by Crazy Mohan. The film stars Rajinikanth as the title character as well as in a dual role, alongside Soundarya and Rambha, with Jaishankar, Ravichandran and Visu in supporting roles. It revolves around a village simpleton, who later discovers he is the heir of a deceased billionaire, but must face extreme challenges to claim his father's inheritance.

Plot

In Alanganallur, Arunachalam, a respected young headman, resides with his parents, Ammayappan and Janaki, three younger siblings, Saravanan, Sakthivel, and sister Arundhati, while their grandmother, Vedhavalli is a stern matriarch, who takes pride in their ancestral lineage. As Arundhati's wedding approaches, Ammayappan's estranged sister, Umayal, returns with her family. Vedhavalli had disowned Umayal for marrying Aathikesavan against her wishes. Umayal's teenage daughter, Vedhavalli, named after her grandmother, is impressed by Arunachalam's reputation among the villagers. Umayal and Aathikesavan contemplate reunifying with their family by arranging Vedhavalli's marriage to one of her cousins. At Arundhati's wedding, Chokkalingam attempts to halt the ceremony, forcing Arundhati to marry his son Ponnambalam, citing a document signed by Ammayappan, but Arunachalam confronts them ensuring Arundhati's wedding proceeds as planned.