Sobharaj (1986)
A gripping Malayalam action crime film where Mohanlal plays a dual role — a feared gang lord and his unsuspecting lookalike brother drawn into a deadly undercover mission.
Sobharaj - Movie Information
- Original Title: ശോഭരാജ്
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: J Sasikumar
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Action, Crime
- Runtime: 2h 20m
- Original Language: Malayalam
- Spoken Languages: Malayalam
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 6, 1986 (India - U)
- Alternative Titles: Shobaraj (IN)
- Production Companies: Shirdi Sai Creations
- Production Countries: India
Sobharaj - Plot
Sobharaj is the leader of an underworld gang. He gets killed in an encounter with the police. The DSP uses his lookalike brother to pose as him in order to capture the rest of his gang.
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Sobharaj - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- J Sasikumar
Main Cast
- Mohanlal
- T G Ravi
- Madhavi
- Priya
- K P Ummer
- C I Paul
- Chithra
- Jagannatha Varma
Writers
- Vijayan
Producers
- P K R Pillai
Sobharaj - FAQs
What is Sobharaj about?
Sobharaj follows a ruthless underworld gang leader who is killed in a police encounter. A determined DSP then recruits the dead criminal's lookalike brother, Dharmaraj, and sends him undercover to pose as Sobharaj, with the goal of dismantling the remaining gang from the inside.
Who plays the dual role in Sobharaj?
Mohanlal takes on the dual role of Sobharaj, the feared gang leader, and Dharmaraj, his innocent lookalike brother. It's a showcase of his range — switching between a menacing criminal and an ordinary man thrust into a dangerous undercover mission.
Who directed the 1986 film Sobharaj?
Sobharaj was directed by J Sasikumar, a Malayalam filmmaker known for his work in the action and crime genre during the 1980s. The film was produced by P K R Pillai under the banner of Shirdi Sai Creations and released in December 1986.
When was Sobharaj released in India?
Sobharaj hit theaters in India on December 6, 1986. The film carried a U certificate, making it suitable for a general audience, and was released as a Malayalam-language production from India.
Who are the main actors in Sobharaj?
The film stars Mohanlal in the lead dual role, alongside T G Ravi as Raheem, Madhavi as Nisha, and Priya as Julie. K P Ummer plays DSP Mohandas, the officer behind the undercover operation, with C I Paul, Chithra, and Jagannatha Varma rounding out the cast.
Is Sobharaj inspired by a real person?
The title Sobharaj shares its name with Charles Sobhraj, the infamous French-Vietnamese serial killer who was active across Asia in the 1970s. While the film borrows the name for its gangster protagonist, it presents an original fictional story rather than a biographical account of the real criminal.
What genre is the 1986 Malayalam film Sobharaj?
Sobharaj is an action crime film. It blends the tension of underworld gang drama with the suspense of an undercover police operation, making it a classic example of the Malayalam masala action films that were popular throughout the 1980s.
What are some movies similar to Sobharaj?
If you enjoy Sobharaj's blend of action and crime, you might also like Agneepath (1990), Kaala (2018), DJ: Duvvada Jagannadham (2017), and V (2020). These films share a similar spirit of larger-than-life protagonists navigating the criminal underworld with high-stakes drama.
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