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Rajadurai (film)

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Rajadurai
VCD cover
Directed byS. A. Chandrasekhar
Screenplay byS. A. Chandrasekhar
Story byShoba Chandrasekhar
Produced byA. S. Ibrahim Rowther
StarringVijayakanth
Jayasudha
Sivaranjani
CinematographyRajarajan
Edited byGoutham Raj
Music byDeva
Production
company
Rowther Films
Release date
  • 11 September 1993 (1993-09-11)
Running time
153 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Rajadurai (/ˈrɑːdʒəθʊraɪ/ transl. Royal Senate)[a] is a 1993 Indian Tamil-language action drama film, directed by S. A. Chandrasekhar and produced by A. S. Ibrahim Rowther. The film stars Vijayakanth, Jayasudha and Sivaranjani. It revolves around a police officer, whose son turns against him after being brainwashed by his father's enemy. The film was released on 11 September 1993.[1]

Plot

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Rajadurai, an honest police officer arrests and humiliates a criminal Mayandi who swears revenge. Once out of the prison, he kidnap's Rajadurai's son Vijay. He later brings him up as Arun along with his own son in such a way that Vijay would do anything for him. In fact, Mayandi uses him as a weapon against his own father.

Years later, Mayandi who has taken the name of Manohar is a large kingpin; a wolf in sheep's clothing who has a great influence in the government. Rajadurai is transferred to this area to control the crimes. His wife, Uma, spots an injured Vijay and recognises him as her long lost son and takes him to the hospital from where he manages to escape from the police in pursuit. Later Rajadurai confronts his son when he tries to smuggle goods illegally as per Manohar's instructions. Rajadurai brutally beats his son when he refuses to reveal the truth. Manohar uses the situation to develop inside Vijay a grudge against Rajadurai.

Later Vijay is married to a crook, Suriya and Rajadurai is made the chief escort for the minister who is the main guest by Manohar humiliating the officer. After marriage the couple is asked by Manohar to stay in Rajadurai's house. Though Uma welcomes them wholeheartedly, Rajadurai is suspicious and pretends to accept them. Suriya reforms and later turns against her own husband when he criticises his own parents. Again a part of Manohar's game, Rajadurai and Uma leaves their house. Uma whose health worsens asks her husband to bring Vijay as her last wish. However, Manohar refuses to send him due to which Rajadurai is forced to act as Vijay to fulfill his wife's wish. But his identity is revealed and Uma dies instantly, heartbroken.

Having enough Rajadurai sets out to nab Manohar and his son. At the last moment, Vijay understands his mistake and kills Manohar with the help of his father after which he surrenders.

Cast

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Production

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The song "Radha Radha" choreographed by Prabhu Deva was initially picturised for another film starring Vijayakanth; since it was not included in that film it was used instead for Rajadurai.[2]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by Deva.[3]

Song Singers Lyrics Length
"Oosi Malakkadu" S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Vaali 05:09
"Muthu Muthu Aani Muthu (Happy)" Mano, K. S. Chithra Pulamaipithan 05:08
"Muthu Muthu Aani Muthu" (Sad) K. S. Chithra 01:11
"Pillaikkoru Thagappanundu" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Vaali 04:59
"Kaadu Varai" Deva 00:35
"Oru Sandhana Meniyil Vandhathu" S. Janaki, Mano Gangai Amaran 04:56
"Radha Hey Radha" S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam 05:49

Reception

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Malini Mannath of The Indian Express wrote, ".. the story being a rehash of earlier ones, the screenplay full of gaps and actor not quite carrying off the double role, the film [..] is a disappointment".[4] C. R. K. of Kalki said that, despite the son character being too similar to Vijayakanth's earlier roles, the actor showed new acting dimensions in his performance as the father.[5]

In other media

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The story of Rajadurai became the basis for another Tamil film The Greatest of All Time (2024).[6]

Notes

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  1. ^ Also the title character.

References

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  1. ^ "நட்சத்திர படப் பட்டியல்". Cinema Express (in Tamil). 1 December 2002. pp. 41–43. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ பிரபுதேவா (23 March 2017). "இதுதான் நான் 68: 'ரம்..பம்..பம்.. ஆரம்பம்'". Hindu Tamil Thisai (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Rajadurai". Hungama. Archived from the original on 9 December 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  4. ^ Mannath, Malini (17 September 1993). "Not in trim". The Indian Express. p. 6. Retrieved 9 January 2019 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ சி. ஆர். கே. (3 October 1993). "ராஜதுரை". Kalki (in Tamil). p. 34. Archived from the original on 19 June 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ^ R, Manoj Kumar (17 October 2024). "Venkat Prabhu admits plot similarity between The GOAT and Rajadurai, expresses regret". Desimartini. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
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