Shanmugam is the village head, fondly called Nattamai. He is widely respected by everyone for his genuineness. He lives with his wife Lakshmi and brother Pasupathi. Pasupathi is married to Meena. There is a long-standing enmity between Nattamai and his paternal cousin. A flashback is shown where Ponnambalam's father kills Shanmugam's father, following which Ponnambalam's family is expelled from the village. Ponnambalam waits for the right time to attack Nattamai's family. Ponnambalam's mother is Nattamai's paternal aunt. A new teacher, comes to the village and everyone suspects an illegitimate relationship between her and Pasupathi. One day, the teacher gets killed along with a death note mentioning Pasupathi as the reason behind her death, following which Nattamai expels Pasupathi out of the village. The teacher was actually killed by Ponnambalam, with plans of trapping Pasupathi in the murder. Manorama overhears the truth but gets locked by Ponnambalam at her home. Ponnambalam tries to kill Nattamai but gets killed by Manorama. Finally, Manorama informs the truth to Nattamai, which shocks him. Nattamai dies at the spot due to the guilt of giving a wrong judgment, and Pasupathi becomes the next Nattamai.
Director K. S. Ravikumar initially approached Mammootty to play the lead role. For reasons unknown, he declined the offer. Sarath Kumar was then signed for as the lead. The film became the fourth collaboration between Ravikumar and Sarathkumar. When K. S. Ravikumar approached Kushboo for Nattamai's wife role, initially she hesitated as in most part of the film she had to look old, except in a brief flashback. She asked him whom he will cast if she denies, Ravikumar said he will approach veteran actress Lakshmi, this made Kusbhoo to take up this role. Mahendran was introduced as child artist through this film. Vijayakumar was initially cast as the elder brother, but a few days before shooting began, Ravikumar decided to have Sarathkumar play both brothers and Bharathiraja was Ravikumar's initial choice for the character of Vijayakumar.
Controversy
In his early days as an actor, R. Sarathkumar was considered to be close to AIADMK supremo Jayalalithaa. However, Sarath's proximity to Jayalalithaa landed him in deep trouble when the film 'Nattamai', which was still running in Tamil Nadu theatres, was aired by Jayalalithaa's television channel JJ TV, using a U-matic tape, which Sarathkumar gave her for personal viewing at her residence. What the understanding between Jayalalithaa and Sarathkumar was we will never know. However, this caused a furore in the film industry as the producer R. B. Choudary threatened action against Sarathkumar for misusing a tape given to him for personal viewing. An embarrassed Sarathkumar explained that he was taken by surprise and that he never expected Jayalalithaa to give it to the channel for telecast. He sought an explanation from both Jayalalitha and JJ TV, but without success. The ruling party reacted predictably, using every forum to attack Sarathkumar.
Soundtrack
Soundtrack was composed by Sirpy and lyrics were written by Vairamuthu.
Release
Nattamai was released on 2 November 1994, during Diwali. The Indian Express wrote that there was "never a dull moment" in the film. It became a blockbuster and completed a 175-day run at the box office.
Remakes
Owing to its success, the film was remade in Telugu as Pedarayudu, It was remade in Kannada as Simhadriya Simha. It was also remade in Hindi as Bulandi. Rajinikanth reprised Vijayakumar's character in Telugu and Hindi remakes.
Legacy
The tagline Nattamai, theerpa maathi sollu became popular after release. It became a trendsetter for many films in later years. The success of the film inspired similar themes about village chieftain. Vijayakumar's portrayal of village chieftain received critical acclaim and he went on to be typecasted with similar characters in later films. The film gave breakthrough in the career of Sarathkumar and the actor did similar films - Suryavamsam, Natpukkaga, Maayi, Diwan and Ayyaa which featured him in double roles in the backdrop of village.
Nattamai has been parodied and referenced many times. In a comedy scene from Aahaa Enna Porutham, Goundamani mocks at the superstitions of village panchayat saying that chieftain should have assistant tagging along with him and should have a pot of water. Comedian Vivek has parodied this aspect in many films. He did a similar spoof in Sandai and Thoondil and made fun of village rituals in Kadhal Sadugudu. Scenes from the film was parodied in Shiva starrer Thamizh Padam, Ponnambalam who did the negative role in the original film had appeared as village chieftain in this film.
