Despite this, the film was a commercial success grossing ₹239 crores on a budget of ₹180 crores. The film received negative reviews from critics criticizing the emotional weight, generic action sequences, predictable and outdated plot, villains, melodrama, bland storytelling and screenplay although Rajinikanth's performance and the score received praise. The film released on 4 November 2021, on the occasion of Diwali. The film was shot primarily in Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, with few sequences shot at Chennai. The shooting process went on for one-and-a-half years, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in India and Rajinikanth's health issues in late-December 2020, delayed the film's production.
Principal photography for the film began on 11 December 2019, on the eve of the actor's birthday, and was completed within September 2021. The film was officially announced in October 2019, marking Rajinikanth's first collaboration with Siva. The film revolves around the relationship of Kaalaiyan (Rajinikanth), a village president and his sibling, Thanga Meenatchi (Keerthy). Imman while cinematography and editing are performed by Vetri and Ruben respectively. The film stars Rajinikanth, Keerthy Suresh and Nayanthara in main lead roles while Jagapathi Babu, Abhimanyu Singh and Soori in supporting roles. Big Brother) is an 2021 Indian Tamil-language action film written and directed by Siva and produced by Kalanithi Maran under the banner of Sun Pictures.