Chinna Raja(1999)
Chinna Raja is a 1999 Tamil-language action thriller film directed and produced by Chitra Lakshmanan. The film stars Karthik in a dual role as a struggling singer and a wealthy gangster. The supporting cast includes Manivannan and Roja in key roles. The story follows Raja, an aspiring singer who gets caught in a dangerous identity mix-up with a criminal lookalike. The film blends comedy, music, and suspense, with Karthik's double performance receiving praise. It was released in 1999 to mixed reviews but gained a cult following for its entertaining plot and soundtrack.
Chinna Raja is streaming on Eros Now and Amazon Prime Video (Eros Now Channel).
Where to watch:Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Eros Now, Amazon Prime Video (Eros Now Channel), Airtel Xstream Play, Plex
- Theatrical Release
- 12 February 1999
- Director
- Chithra Lakshmanan
- Language
- Tamil
- Rating
- 3.5/10
Storyline
A poor singer named Raja dreams of winning a music competition. But his life turns upside down when he discovers he looks exactly like a ruthless gangster. Now criminals are hunting him, and his only chance to survive is to prove who he really is.
“Two faces. One destiny.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Chinna Raja
Cast reunions in this film: Manivannan & Deva (53 films together), Deva & Roja Selvamani (22 films together), Vaiyapuri & Deva (15 films together), Karthik & Deva (15 films together), Manobala & Manivannan (14 films together), and Manivannan & Roja Selvamani (14 films together).
Trivia
- This was the only Tamil film directed by Chitra Lakshmanan, who was primarily known as a successful film distributor.
- Actor Karthik played dual roles, but the character names Raja and Dilip were not originally father and son in the script's early versions.
- The film's music was composed by Deva, but the song 'Kadhal Vandhuchu' became more famous in its Telugu dubbed version.
- A subplot involving the bandmaster character, played by Manivannan, was partly inspired by real-life struggles of backup musicians in the 1990s.
- Despite being a thriller, the film was marketed heavily as a romantic musical due to Roja's popularity at the time.
- The climax sequence was shot in a single schedule at a rarely used heritage bungalow in Chennai to maintain continuity.
- This was one of the few films where comedian Vadivelu had a very brief cameo, which was edited down in the final cut.