Dharma Yuddham(1979)
Dharma Yuddham is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by R. C. Sakthi. The film stars Rajinikanth and Sridevi in lead roles, with Thengai Srinivasan and Aachi Manorama in supporting parts. The story follows a young boy who witnesses his father's murder and grows up to seek revenge on the killer. Set in a backdrop of wealth and crime, the film explores themes of honour and justice. Dharma Yuddham was praised for its emotional depth and Rajinikanth's powerful performance. It remains a notable entry in Tamil cinema of the late 1970s. The film was released in theatres in 1979.
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
- Theatrical Release
- 26 June 1979
- Director
- R. C. Sakthi
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 16m
- Rating
- 7.5/10
Storyline
A young boy watches helplessly as a greedy man kills his father. He is adopted by a rich family and grows up strong. Years later, he discovers the killer is still alive and powerful. He sets out on a dangerous path to take revenge and restore his family's honour.
“A son's war for honour”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Dharma Yuddham
Cast reunions in this film: Rajinikanth & Ilayaraja (58 films together), Ilayaraja & Thengai Srinivasan (50 films together), Thengai Srinivasan & Major Sundarrajan (32 films together), Ilayaraja & Major Sundarrajan (24 films together), Rajinikanth & Thengai Srinivasan (23 films together), and Ilayaraja & Sridevi (23 films together).
Trivia
- The film was originally titled 'Dharma Yudham' but is sometimes listed as 'Dharmayudham', reflecting a common spelling variation in records.
- This was one of the few films where actor Thengai Srinivasan, known for comic roles, played a purely villainous character.
- Director R.C. Sakthi was primarily known for his work in theatre and socially conscious films, making this action-revenge plot an unusual entry in his filmography.
- The film's plot involving theft of body parts, especially eyes, was considered a bold and shocking subject for its time in Tamil cinema.
- It was released in the same year as Rajinikanth's major hit 'Ninaithale Inikkum', showcasing his range by appearing in very different film genres simultaneously.
- The movie's soundtrack was composed by Shankar-Ganesh, a popular duo who scored many Rajinikanth films in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
- Despite its dramatic premise, the film did not achieve major commercial success and remains a lesser-known title in Rajinikanth's extensive filmography.