Meiyazhagan starring Karthi, Arvind Swami in the lead released in theaters on September 27, 2024, and the viewers who've caught the movie have started drawing parallels of this feel-good film, with other classics. Notably, writer Sudhish Kamath took to X to share that Meiyazhagan reminded him of legendary Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray's last directorial feature, Agnatuk (1991). 

Agantuk by Ray is a great connection. The character of Mammotty in Loudspeaker movie follows a very similar arc like Kaarthi. https://t.co/yBvzMtHEiw

— raga-learns-to-rock (@pnamblat) September 28, 2024

Agnatuk, which translates to 'stranger' revolves around a Bengali family receiving a long lost relative from abroad as a house guest. This 'Agnatuk' has returned to India after 35 years, and throughout the elderly's stay in their home, the family tries various tricks to remember his identity and connection to them.

Satyajit Ray’s final film. pic.twitter.com/E2ymKIfMYX

— MUBI (@mubi) June 24, 2020

At one point they even force the 'Agnatuk' to reveal his "true-intentions", despite him being related to them by blood. And even though disappointed by their actions, this 'stranger' of a guest leaves the family with his share of the inheritance before returning to Australia, since the lady of the family is his only surviving relative. 

National Award winning actor Utpal Dutt (late) as the Agnatuk (1991) in Sathyajit Ray's last film 

Parallelly, C. Prem Kumar directed Meiyazhagan revolves around a man (Arvind Swami) who returns to his home town after 22 years, carrying the emotional baggage of leaving that place in bitter circumstances. He runs into a chirpy, good-natured relative (Karthi), and is forced to discover the identity of this young man over a night of heartfelt conversations, and self-discovery.

Tamil actor Karthi from Meiyazhagan (2024)

Malayalam star Mammootty as Mike Phillipose from Loud Speaker (2009)

Karthi's character in Meiyazhagan has also reminded the audience of Mike Phillipose, played by Malayalam star actor Mammootty in the Jayaraj directed Loudspeaker (2009). Free-of-ill natured people in a world filled with cunning and dubiousness, is what has made movie buffs draw parallels among Meiyazhagan Karthi, Agnatuk Utpal Dutt and Loudspeaker Mammootty.