Director-actor Cheran’s acclaimed film Autograph is set for a grand re-release, 21 years after its original 2004 debut. Ahead of its re-release, Cheran has confirmed that the film has undergone significant rework — including a trimmed runtime and updated sound — to better connect with today’s audience.

Autograph, which starred Cheran alongside Sneha, Kanika, and Mallika, was a massive hit upon release and struck a deep emotional chord with viewers. Many praised the film for its relatable storyline, with several saying it felt like their own life playing out on screen.

Now, the film is returning to theaters with a refreshed presentation. A new trailer was released a few weeks ago using AI-enhanced technology, further raising anticipation among fans.

Speaking about the re-release, Cheran emphasized the importance of respecting the intelligence of today’s viewers. “Audiences today are extremely smart. If they feel we’re trying to deceive them, they’ll immediately reject it. That’s why we’ve worked hard to rework the film responsibly — from sound updates to necessary scene edits,” he said.

The original film had a runtime of 2 hours and 50 minutes. For the re-release, Cheran has trimmed 20 minutes, bringing it down to 2 hours and 30 minutes, in an effort to make the narrative crisper and more engaging for a modern audience.