Well known personalities of Tamil cinema including K Balachander, Balu Mahendra, Mani Ratnam and Vairamuthu many other joined Alli Nagaram in Theni, the native village of Bharathiraja, where the director's comeback movie Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum was launched.

Mani Ratnam said, "Bharathiraja's 16 Vayadhinliae still has a positive effect on every filmmaker even after 30 years. I am confident Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum will be equally effective."

Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum features Ameer, Karthika, debutant Lakshmanan and Iniya in lead, with music composed by G V Prakash Kumar.

Bharathiraja recalled his nostalgic days in the village and his association with the likes of Ilayaraja. He announced the inauguration of an educational trust in the name of Bharathiraja & Vairamuthu.

The aim of the trust is to educate the poor and needy. Both Bharathiraja and Vairamuthu donated Rs 5 lakh each.