Anbe Sivam
Two men, one young and arrogant, the other damaged - physically but not spiritually - by life, are thrown together by circumstances, and find that they are in some ways bound together by fate.
Directed by Sundar C. · Adventure · Comedy · Drama · 160 min · 2003
Trailer
Director
Sundar C.
Writer
Kamal Haasan
Studio
Lakshmi Movie Makers
Release
14 Jan 2003
Runtime
160 min
Genres
Adventure, Comedy, Drama
Full Plot
Evocative and provocative, this masterfully crafted relationship drama tells the story of a series of comic events that occur when Nalla Sivam (Kamal Haasan) a wise-cracking, handicapped communist and Anbarasu (R. Madhavan), an arrogant young advertisement filmmaker who favors capitalism meet. They get stuck with each other on their problem-filled trip from Bhubaneswar to Chennai, giving them a unique opportunity to explore each other's belief system. Themes such as globalization, financial disparity and compassion in present-day India are explored around the two protagonists, while they also find how deeply interconnected their lives are.
Cast & Characters
Supporting
Seema
Supporting
Yugi Sethu
Padayatchi's assistant
Vishwanath
T. Balaji, the train ticket checker for the Coromandel Express
Balu Anand
a roadside drunkard
Muthukaalai
a tea stall owner
Pasi Sathya
Did You Know?
Sundar C has directed 21 films in our catalog, including Thaka Thimi Tha, Nagaram.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Kamal Haasan appears in 28 films in our catalog, including Thevar Magan, Papanasam.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
During the first week of its theatrical run, an analysis by Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu showed the film to have grossed ₹13.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Audience Breakdown (Einthusan)
Anbe Sivam holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (25,583 votes).
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of August 11, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (25,583 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anbe Sivam's IMDb rating?+
Anbe Sivam has a 8.6/10 rating on IMDb from 25,583 votes.
Is Anbe Sivam good? What are critics saying?+
Anbe Sivam holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (25,583 votes).
How long is Anbe Sivam?+
Anbe Sivam has a runtime of 160 min.
Who directed Anbe Sivam?+
Anbe Sivam was directed by Sundar C..
Where can I watch Anbe Sivam?+
Anbe Sivam is available to stream, rent, or buy on Sun Nxt, Eros Now Select Apple TV Channel, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Eros Now Amazon Channel, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, AP International South Cinema Amazon Channel.
Fan & Critic Buzz
The public reaction to "Anbe Sivam" appears to be overwhelmingly negative, with many expressing disdain for remakes of well-known films. A reviewer calls it a "not even in the same league" version, implying that it fails to live up to the originals. Others express disappointment and recommend watching the original, suggesting they would rather see something new instead.
Viewer Reviews (TMDb)
This is supposed to be an Indian version of "Trains, Planes and Automobiles". Compared to Candy and Martin ... not even in the same league. I really don't like remakes. Go watch the original.
badelf · 4/10
