Last updated: 16 Jul 2026


Tamil · Action, Comedy, Drama
3h 0m · 20 Jul 1989
Music: Chandrabose | DOP: T. S. Vinayagam | Writer: Panchu Arunachalam
Ratings
Our Rating
3
Raja Chinna Roja is a fantasy adventure film centered around Raja, played by Rajinikanth, who embarks on a quest to rescue a princess trapped in a magical realm. The story weaves elements of fantasy, comedy, and drama as Raja confronts various challenges, including battling evil forces and solving mystical puzzles. The narrative explores themes of bravery, love, and the triumph of good over evil, set against a backdrop of vibrant fantasy landscapes and imaginative scenarios.
Raja Chinna Roja stands out for its innovative use of visual effects and fantasy elements, which were pioneering in Tamil cinema at the time of its release. The screenplay balances fantasy adventure with light-hearted comedy, though the pacing tends to slow down in the second half due to extended sequences focused on magical confrontations and character interactions. The first half is engaging, establishing the characters and setting up the quest with a good mix of humor and action.
The music by Chandrabose is one of the film's highlights, featuring memorable songs that complement the film's whimsical tone. The background score effectively enhances the fantasy atmosphere, though at times it overwhelms the scenes with its intensity. Cinematography by T. S. Vinayagam captures the magical elements well, using creative visuals to bring the fantasy world to life.
Overall, the film's screenplay and direction by S. P. Muthuraman maintain audience interest despite some pacing issues. The blend of fantasy, comedy, and drama, along with strong performances, especially by Rajinikanth, make Raja Chinna Roja a notable film in the fantasy genre within Tamil cinema.
Rajinikanth: Charismatic and engaging as the heroic Raja, delivering a performance that balances action and comedy effectively.
Gautami Tadimalla: Portrays the princess with grace and charm, providing emotional depth to the fantasy narrative.
Raghuvaran: Compelling as the antagonist, bringing intensity and menace to the role.
Shalini: Delivers a sweet and innocent portrayal, adding to the film's emotional appeal.
Strengths
Weaknesses
S. P. Muthuraman's direction successfully blends fantasy and comedy, maintaining a balance that appeals to a broad audience. His experience in commercial cinema is evident in the film’s structured narrative and character-driven storytelling, though some pacing issues in the latter half slightly affect the overall flow.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 70% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics appreciated the film's pioneering fantasy elements and Rajinikanth's performance, though some noted the uneven pacing and overuse of background score. The music and visual effects were widely praised as highlights.
Final Box-Office Result
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) released on 20 July 1989 (1989).
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) is declared a ABOVE AVERAGE at the box office.
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) is available on Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads. OTT date will be updated soon.
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) directed by S. P. Muthuraman. Produced by M. Saravanan, M. Balasubramanian.
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) stars Rajinikanth, Gautami Tadimalla, Raghuvaran, Ravichandran, Shalini.
Tollybo rates Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) 3/5. Verdict: ABOVE AVERAGE.
Music for Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) composed by Chandrabose.
Raja Chinna Roja (Raja Chinna Roja) — Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama, Runtime: 180 minutes, Language: Tamil.