Panakkaran (1990)
A Tamil family action classic starring Rajinikanth as a young man on a deeply personal quest to uncover his true origins.
Panakkaran - Movie Information
- Original Title: பணக்காரன்
- Release Year: 1990
- Directed by: P. Vasu
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Family, Action
- Runtime: 3h 10m
- Original Language: Tamil
- Spoken Languages: Tamil
- Release Date (Theatrical): January 14, 1990 (India - U)
- Alternative Titles: Dhanwan No. 1 (IN)
- Production Companies: Sathya Movies
- Production Countries: India
Panakkaran - Plot
The illegitimate son of a rich man and a singer is raised by a poor drunkard. Before he can commit to the girl he loves, he wants to find out who his parents really are. Will the drunkard help him?
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Panakkaran - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- P. Vasu
Main Cast
- Rajinikanth
- Gautami Tadimalla
- Vijayakumar
- Charan Raj
- Radha Ravi
- Pandu
- Senthamarai
- Janagaraj
- Mayilsamy
- Thiyagu
Writers
- P. Vasu
- Prakash Mehra
Producers
- T. G. Thyagarajan
Panakkaran - FAQs
What is Panakkaran about?
Panakkaran follows Muthu, the illegitimate son of a wealthy man and a singer, who grows up under the care of a poor drunkard. Before he can pursue the woman he loves, Muthu sets out to uncover the truth about his real parents — a journey that tests loyalty, identity, and family bonds.
Who plays the lead role in Panakkaran?
Rajinikanth leads the cast as Muthu, the young man searching for his roots. He's joined by Gautami Tadimalla as his love interest Latha, with strong supporting turns from Vijayakumar, Charan Raj, Radha Ravi, and a talented ensemble that brings the story to life.
Where can you watch Panakkaran online?
You can find current streaming and rental options for Panakkaran on JustWatch, which lists all available platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking for the latest options.
Is Panakkaran based on a true story?
Panakkaran is not based on a true story. The screenplay was crafted by director P. Vasu alongside Prakash Mehra, drawing on classic themes of identity, family secrets, and social class that were popular in Tamil and Hindi commercial cinema of the era.
Who directed Panakkaran and when was it released?
Panakkaran was directed by P. Vasu and released on January 14, 1990, in India. The film was produced under the Sathya Movies banner by T. G. Thyagarajan and became a notable entry in Rajinikanth's prolific filmography of that period.
Who composed the music for Panakkaran?
The music for Panakkaran was composed by the legendary Ilaiyaraaja, one of Tamil cinema's most celebrated composers. His score and songs added significant emotional depth to the film, as was characteristic of his prolific collaborations with major Tamil productions of the era.
What is the runtime of Panakkaran?
Panakkaran runs for 3 hours and 10 minutes — a notably long runtime even by the standards of Tamil commercial cinema. The extended length gives the film room to develop its emotional drama, action sequences, and the central mystery surrounding Muthu's origins.
Does Panakkaran have an alternative title?
Yes — Panakkaran was also released under the alternative title Dhanwan No. 1 in India. The Tamil title Panakkaran roughly translates to 'rich man' or 'wealthy person,' which ties directly into the film's central themes of wealth, class, and hidden lineage.
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