Ek Tha Raja(1996)
Ek Tha Raja is a 1996 Indian Hindi-language action drama film directed by Dayal Nihalani. The lead cast includes Aditya Pancholi, Sunil Shetty, Saif Ali Khan, Neelam Kothari, Pratibha Sinha, and Indrani Banerjee. The story follows Lalchand Dogra, a wealthy man who is imprisoned and later released, only to discover his three estranged sons are unknowingly pitted against him. The film explores themes of mistaken identity, family loyalty, and sacrifice. It received mixed reviews upon release but is remembered for its emotional climax and ensemble cast. The film was released on 12 January 1996.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- SonyLiv, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 1 January 1996
- Director
- Dayal Nihalani
- Language
- Hindi
- Runtime
- 2h 37m
- Rating
- 5.0/10
Storyline
Lalchand Dogra goes to prison and his family falls apart. When he gets out, he searches for his wife and three sons. But his sons do not know who he is. One wants to kill him, one wants to arrest him, and one is his bodyguard. The family must find the truth before it is too late.
“Three sons. One father. A deadly secret.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Ek Tha Raja
Cast reunions in this film: Shakti Kapoor & Kader Khan (77 films together), Shakti Kapoor & Aruna Irani (33 films together), Aruna Irani & Kader Khan (32 films together), Shakti Kapoor & Mohan Joshi (11 films together), Shakti Kapoor & Aditya Pancholi (11 films together), and Shakti Kapoor & Alok Nath (10 films together).
Trivia
- The film was directed by K. Bapaiah, who was known for directing many successful Telugu films before this Hindi project.
- It features veteran actor Prem Chopra in a supporting role, adding to the film's star power alongside lead actor Mithun Chakraborty.
- The movie's soundtrack was composed by Anand-Milind, who were popular for their music in 1990s Bollywood.
- This was one of several 1990s films where Mithun Chakraborty played a dual role, a common trope in his career at the time.
- The film's release coincided with a period when action and family drama blends were popular in Hindi cinema.
- Actress Farha Naaz, who plays a key role, was part of a well-known film family in the Indian industry.
- Despite its star cast, the film did not become a major box office success compared to other Mithun Chakraborty films of the era.