Written by Elisabeth Walter
25 Questions & Answers • AXIS Bank Limited
By Elisabeth
By Elisabeth
Appu Raja (1990) is a landmark Indian film that remains one of the most significant achievements in the career of legendary actor Kamal Haasan. Originally released in Tamil as Apoorva Sagodharargal (1989), the movie was dubbed into Hindi and released in 1990 as Appu Raja, where it achieved massive critical and commercial success. The Legend of the Triple Role
The film is celebrated for Kamal Haasan's extraordinary performance in a triple role:
Sethupathy: An honest police officer who is brutally murdered by a gang of criminals.
Raja: An easy-going automobile mechanic and Sethupathy’s son, who grew up unaware of his twin.
Appu: Raja's twin brother, a circus clown who is a dwarf. Appu’s dwarfism was a result of the criminals poisoning their mother while she was pregnant. Breakthrough Practical Effects
Long before the era of modern CGI, Appu Raja stunned audiences with its seamless portrayal of a dwarf character alongside full-sized actors. Kamal Haasan and director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao used ingenious practical techniques to achieve this:
Physical Commitment: For many scenes, Kamal Haasan wore special shoes attached to his knees and walked on his folded legs.
Trench Work: Deep trenches were dug on sets so Haasan could stand at a lower height while other actors stood on level ground.
Innovative Camera Angles: Forced perspective and clever framing were used to maintain the illusion of Appu’s height throughout the film. Plot and Themes
The story follows the classic "lost and found" twin trope but adds a dark, vengeful twist. After discovering the truth about his father's murder from his mother, Appu decides to systematically eliminate the four men responsible. His methods are uniquely theatrical, utilizing his circus skills and trained animals to carry out his revenge.
deep story of the 1990 Hindi film (originally the 1989 Tamil hit Apoorva Sagodharargal
) is a classic tale of tragedy and revenge, centered on the struggle of a man physically altered by a cruel act of fate. The Cinema Resource Centre The Core Narrative The story begins with Sethupathi
(Kamal Haasan), an honest police officer who arrests four powerful criminals: Nallasivam Satyamoorthy
. After being acquitted through influence, the criminals murder Sethupathi and force his pregnant wife, , to drink poison.
Kaveri survives and gives birth to twins, but the poison causes one child, , to be born as a dwarf. The brothers are separated:
(Kamal Haasan) grows up to be a mechanic, unaware of his past. (Kamal Haasan) grows up in a circus, performing as a clown. The Turning Point
Appu's life is defined by a deep inner pain. He falls in love with the circus owner's daughter,
, only to be heartbroken when he realizes she sees him only as a brotherly figure due to his stature. This rejection drives him to near-suicide, at which point his mother reveals the truth about his father's murder and the cause of his dwarfism. The Vengeance
Transforming his grief into cold calculation, Appu uses his circus skills and mechanical ingenuity to execute a series of "perfect" murders. He kills his father's murderers one by one using elaborate traps—such as trained circus animals and mechanical devices—often framing Raja in the process. Themes and Significance Unique Cinematography: Long before modern CGI, Kamal Haasan and cinematographer P.C. Sreeram
used forced perspective, trenches, and mechanical rigs to create the illusion of Appu's height. Chaplinesque Influence: The film is often viewed as a tribute to Charlie Chaplin's The Circus
(1928), particularly in how it portrays the tragic "sad clown" archetype. Moral Ambiguity:
While Appu is the protagonist, his brutal methods of revenge and the collateral damage to his brother Raja add a layer of complexity to the typical masala film format.
I can certainly help you explore features and highlights related to the 1990 Hindi hit
(originally released in Tamil as Apoorva Sagodharargal). This film is a landmark in Indian cinema primarily due to Kamal Haasan's incredible triple role, particularly his portrayal of a dwarf. Key Features of Appu Raja (1990)
Pioneering Visual Effects (Pre-CGI): One of the most discussed features is how Kamal Haasan portrayed the dwarf, Appu, without modern CGI. Techniques included:
Physical Commitment: Haasan famously performed many scenes by walking on his knees with shoes attached to them. appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111
Clever Cinematography: Director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and cinematographer P.C. Sriram used specially dug pits for other actors to stand in, making Haasan appear shorter on level ground.
Custom Costumes: A specific rubber suit was designed to shift his torso higher, completing the dwarf illusion.
A Triple Role Tour de Force: Kamal Haasan played three distinct characters: Sethupathy: An honest police officer (the father). Raja: A spirited car mechanic (one twin).
Appu: A circus clown and dwarf seeking vengeance (the other twin).
Iconic Soundtrack: The music, composed by Ilaiyaraaja, remains a highlight. Songs like "Aaya Hai Raja" and "Koii Na Koii To" (in the Hindi version) became massive hits across India.
Success of Dubbed Cinema: While originally a Tamil film, its 1990 Hindi release was a significant success in North India, proving that high-quality South Indian content could thrive in the Bollywood market. Movie Summary & Availability
Title: The Quintessential Double: Deconstructing Physical Comedy, Narrative Duality, and Cultural Impact in Appu Raja (1990)
1. Introduction: The Arrival of the Gentle Giant
In the pantheon of late-1980s and early-1990s Hindi cinema, a unique sub-genre emerged: the "double role" film. While actors like Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna had popularized the trope, it was Kamal Haasan’s Appu Raja (released in Hindi as a dubbed version of the Tamil original Apoorva Sagodharargal, 1989) that redefined the concept. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film is not merely a commercial potboiler but a masterclass in physical acting, emotional contrast, and social commentary disguised as a revenge thriller.
This paper argues that Appu Raja transcends its "masala film" label by using the physical disparity of its dual characters—a normal man and a dwarf—as a sophisticated metaphor for societal marginalization, filial duty, and the duality of justice. It examines the film’s narrative structure, Kamal Haasan’s performance, the technical achievements of its era, and its lasting cultural legacy.
2. Narrative Arc: From Circus Tent to Courtroom Revenge
The plot of Appu Raja is layered with Shakespearean echoes (reminiscent of The Merchant of Venice and Hamlet).
3. Performance as Spectacle: The Genius of Kamal Haasan
The film’s central pillar is Kamal Haasan’s dual performance, but it is his portrayal of the dwarf that remains a landmark in Indian cinema.
4. Technical Innovation in Pre-CGI India (1989-1990)
Director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and cinematographer B. C. Gowrishankar employed ingenious in-camera techniques:
5. Themes: More Than a Revenge Drama
Appu Raja operates on multiple thematic levels:
6. Music and Cultural Memory
The soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja (lyrics by Anand Bakshi for the Hindi version) is integral to the narrative, not decorative.
7. Critical Reception and Legacy
Upon its Hindi release in 1990, Appu Raja was a major box-office success, particularly in North India, where Kamal Haasan was already known from Ek Duuje Ke Liye. Critics praised the film’s audacity but were divided on its violence. Some dismissed it as a gimmick film; others recognized Haasan’s performance as award-worthy (he won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil, and the Hindi version earned a nomination).
Enduring Influence:
8. Conclusion: The Unforgettable Image
Appu Raja is not a perfect film. Its second half leans heavily into formulaic action, and some comic scenes feel dated. However, its ambition remains unmatched. It uses the grammar of commercial Hindi cinema—songs, fights, revenge, twins—to explore profound questions about identity, ability, and justice. Appu Raja (1990) is a landmark Indian film
Kamal Haasan’s dwarf is not a trick; it is a character. And in the history of Indian film, there are few images as poignant, powerful, and paradoxical as that of a tiny, mustachioed man in a blue shirt, standing in a courtroom, demanding justice for his father. Appu Raja reminds us that the greatest heroes often come in the smallest packages.
References (Hypothetical for Academic Use)
[End of Paper]
(1990) is the Hindi-dubbed version of the 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal , a landmark in Indian cinema primarily known for Kamal Haasan’s groundbreaking portrayal of a dwarf. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
, the film is a revenge-themed "masala" entertainer that utilized innovative in-camera tricks long before the era of Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). Core Film Details Release Date: The Hindi version was released in (Original Tamil version: April 1989). Triple Role: Kamal Haasan played three distinct characters: Sethupathi: An honest police officer who is murdered by four criminals.
The dwarf son of Sethupathi, a circus clown who plots to avenge his father's death. Appu’s twin brother, a mechanic who is of normal height. Lead Cast:
Kamal Haasan, Gautami, Rupini, Srividya, Delhi Ganesh, and Nagesh. Composed by Ilaiyaraaja
, with the Hindi lyrics for the dubbed version crafted to match the original scores. Plot Summary
Released in 1990, is the Hindi-dubbed version of the 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film is a monumental achievement in Indian cinema, primarily known for Kamal Haasan's incredible triple role, including his iconic portrayal of a dwarf. Plot Overview
The story follows two twin brothers, Appu and Raja, who are separated at birth after their father, an honest police officer named Sethupathi, is murdered by a ruthless gang of four smugglers.
Appu: Grows up in a circus and remains a dwarf due to the poison the villains forced his mother to consume during her pregnancy.
Raja: Becomes a mechanic and grows up unaware of his twin’s existence.Upon learning the truth about their father's death, Appu embarks on a mission of vengeance, using circus tricks and ingenuity to eliminate the killers one by one. The Legend of the "Dwarf" Performance
Kamal Haasan's portrayal of Appu is a masterclass in physical acting. Long before the era of CGI, Haasan used ingenious practical effects to "shrink" himself:
Physical Commitment: He famously performed many scenes by walking on his knees with specially designed shoes fitted to them.
Camera Tricks: The production used specially dug trenches for Haasan to walk in while other actors remained at ground level to maintain the height difference.
Practical Illusions: A custom rubber suit was worn under his clothes to shift his center of gravity, and artificial legs moved by strings were used for certain shots. Cast and Crew The Story of 'Appu Raja' - Gee Kaul
In the annals of early 90s Hindi cinema, few films are as peculiar or as fascinatingly misguided as Appu Raja. Starring the inimitable Kamal Haasan in a dual role (one of which is a dwarf), this film is a direct Hindi remake of his own 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the movie is less a straightforward narrative and more a fever dream of revenge, melodrama, circus acts, and surprisingly sharp social commentary.
The Plot (Such as it is): The story begins with tragedy: a kind-hearted circus owner (Kamal Haasan) is murdered by a gang of wealthy, sadistic criminals led by the villainous Ganga (Rupini, in a rare but effective negative role). His pregnant wife is assaulted and imprisoned, giving birth to a son, Appu, who grows up to be a dwarf. The second half reveals that Appu has an identical twin brother (also Kamal Haasan), raised in secrecy, who is of normal height. Together, they orchestrate an elaborate, circus-themed revenge.
The Good: Kamal Haasan’s Dedication & the Circus Setting
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Kamal Haasan is extraordinary. His portrayal of Appu, the dwarf, is not just prosthetic makeup; it’s a full-bodied physical performance. He moves, dances, and fights with a convincing gait and weight that few actors would commit to. The film’s best moments are the quieter ones where Appu uses his intellect and the unique geography of his miniature world (toy cars, dollhouses) to outsmart his enemies.
The circus setting is a stroke of genius. It provides a visual palette of color, danger, and magic. The climax, which takes place inside a rotating circus cage of death, is genuinely inventive and well-staged. Songs like "Aadha Hai Chandrama" and "Lakdi Ki Kathi" (the latter featuring a pre-fame Aishwarya Rai in a blink-and-miss cameo) remain earworms for a reason.
The Bad: Jarrring Tonal Whiplash & Pacing
Appu Raja suffers from a severe identity crisis. In one scene, we have the brutal, off-screen rape of the hero’s mother and the cold-blooded murder of children. In the next, we have a slapstick comedy track featuring the hero’s buffoonish sidekick (a wasted Annu Kapoor) and a talking parrot. The film swings from dark, gritty revenge thriller to whimsical children’s fantasy so fast it gives the viewer vertigo.
The first hour is a slog of relentless misery. By the time the revenge plot kicks in, the audience is emotionally exhausted. Furthermore, the “surprise” of the twin brother is telegraphed so early that the film’s central reveal feels less like a twist and more like a delayed explanation.
The Ugly: Problematic Subtext
It is impossible to review Appu Raja in 2024 without addressing its uncomfortable core. The film makes a hero out of a dwarf, yet much of the humor is derived from people mocking his height. More problematically, the climax hinges on a truly bizarre piece of “justice”: the female villain is defeated not by being fought, but by being stripped and tied naked to a merry-go-round for a public audience. The film frames this as a righteous punishment, but it is an undeniably regressive and disturbing sequence that has aged like sour milk.
Verdict: A Curious Artifact, Not a Classic
Appu Raja is not a good movie in the conventional sense. It is too long, too tonally confused, and features sequences that range from baffling to offensive. However, it is rarely boring. For fans of Kamal Haasan’s chameleon-like talent or for those interested in the wilder, more experimental fringes of Bollywood (which, technically, this is—it’s a Hindi film produced in Tamil Nadu), it is a must-watch.
Think of it as a cinematic oddity: a revenge tragedy staged by a circus clown. You will scratch your head, you may cringe, but you will not forget it.
Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) One star for Kamal Haasan’s performance, one star for the inventive climax, and half a star for the sheer audacity of its existence.
Before Iron Man, there was Appu Raja. Kamal Haasan’s metal suit, complete with a creepy red mask and extending arms, was the ultimate DIY superhero fantasy for 90s kids.
While the movie is a drama, it is famous for being India’s answer to The Terminator in terms of concept. The story follows a father and son. The father (a circus performer) is brutally murdered by four criminals. His son, Appu (a dwarf), grows up to avenge his father’s death using his unique talents.
For the uninitiated, the original Appu Raja (1989, dubbed from Tamil’s Apoorva Sagodharargal) gave us the immortal sight of Kamal Haasan as a petite, mustachioed, revenge-hungry dwarf. It was whimsical, violent, and oddly touching.
But 111—officially titled Appu Raja 111: Teen Guna Tadka—was something else entirely. Legend has it that producer S. P. Muthuraman, riding high on the original’s success, wanted “three times the entertainment.” The number 111 symbolized three ones: one body, one mission, one hundred and eleven minutes of madness.
Critics called it “incoherent.” Families were confused when the baby-faced mobster lit a candy cigarette. And the climax, where the three Appus combine into a mecha-dwarf to punch a satellite, was deemed “too sci-fi for South Indian melodrama.”
But flop is a harsh word. Appu Raja 111 found its life on VHS, passed around college hostels at 2 AM, where its sheer audacity became legend.
Hardcore fans argue that the most intense action sequence—specifically the moment Appu reveals his robotic alter-ego, or the iconic “Orange Marmalade” scene where the villain explodes—occurs exactly at the 1 hour and 51-minute mark. Over time, "Movie 111" became shorthand for "the best part of the film."
Regardless of the origin, searching "appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111" today almost guarantees a nostalgic, slightly grainy, 480p version of the film with the iconic Coconut water song and the thunderous dialogue: "Mere paas tez dimaag hai... aur tumhaare paas kya hai?" (I have a sharp mind... what do you have?)
If you are watching this in 2024, watch it for the acting masterclass. It is rare to see an actor commit to such a physically demanding role without the safety net of modern CGI. The emotional scenes, combined with the thrill of the "kill sequences" (specifically the shoe-spiking scene), make it a cult classic.
Trivia for the "111": If the "111" in your search refers to a runtime or version length, the original film is quite long (approx 170 mins), but the Hindi version "Appu Raja" is often the most circulated cut outside of South India.
Appu Raja (1991)
"Appu Raja" is a 1991 Hindi-language comedy film directed by Kawal Sharma and produced by K. S. Gopalakrishnan. Although listed as a 1990 movie in your query, it's likely that the film was released in 1991.
Plot
The movie stars Govinda, Madhuri Dixit, and Kader Khan in pivotal roles. The story revolves around Raja (Govinda), a poor but innocent young man who lives with his grandmother in a small village. He falls in love with a wealthy girl, Aarti (Madhuri Dixit), who comes to their village. However, their romance faces numerous challenges due to their differing backgrounds and the opposition from Aarti's family.
Cast
Music
The film's music was composed by Bappi Lahiri, with lyrics written by Anand Bakshi. The soundtrack features popular songs like "Chal Wahan Jaayein Hum", "Tumhari Nazar Ne Mere Dil Ko" and "Bade Bhaiya".
Reception
"Appu Raja" received mixed reviews from critics but performed moderately well at the box office. While some reviewers praised Govinda and Madhuri's chemistry, others found the plot to be predictable and lacking in originality.
Legacy
Although not a major blockbuster, "Appu Raja" is remembered for its light-hearted comedy and the on-screen pairing of Govinda and Madhuri Dixit. The film showcased Govinda's signature dance style and Madhuri's early days as a leading lady.
Written by Elisabeth Walter
25 Questions & Answers • AXIS Bank Limited
By Elisabeth
By Elisabeth