Thalapathi is a 1991 Indian Tamil-language gangster-drama film, written and directed by Mani Ratnam and produced by G. Venkateswaran. It stars Rajinikanth, Mammootty and Shobana in the lead roles, with Arvind Swamy, Srividya, Amrish Puri, Bhanupriya, Nagesh, and Charuhasan playing supporting ones. The theme is based on the friendship between Karna and Duryodhana of the Hindu epic, Mahabharata. The score and soundtrack of the film, composed by Ilaiyaraaja is considered to be one of the greatest soundtrack albums of all time. The film, which features the last collaboration of Mani Ratnam and Ilaiyaraaja, was dubbed and released in Telugu and in Hindi as Dalapathi. The film emerged as a critical and commercial success during its theatrical run. It was later remade in Kannada as Annavru.