Chinna Thambi

Chinna Thambi

Year: 1991

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: P. Vasu

RomanceDrama

Nandini, a privileged young woman, has been lovingly raised by her three devoted brothers. When a trusted astrologer predicts she will someday choose her own husband, the brothers become obsessively protective, intervening in every potential suitor and arranging her life to keep her safe from love’s choices.

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Timeline & Setting – Chinna Thambi (1991)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Chinna Thambi (1991). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Outskirts of Erode, village in Tamil Nadu

The story unfolds around a wealthy family estate on the edge of Erode and the nearby village. The house acts as a fortress of tradition where the men guard the family’s honor and restrict the heroine’s movements. The setting contrasts urban wealth with rural social norms, illustrating a world where freedom is limited by lineage and duty.

🏰 Estate 🌾 Rural life 🚧 Confinement

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

Main Characters – Chinna Thambi (1991)

Meet the key characters of Chinna Thambi (1991), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Chinna Thambi (Prabhu)

A naïve and kind-hearted simpleton raised by his widowed mother Kannamma. He has no formal schooling and spends his days singing and entertaining the village. He is hired as Nandini's bodyguard and butler, valued for his loyalty and strength even as his innocence leads to misunderstandings.

💖 Loyal 🧭 Naive 🎤 Entertainer

Nandini (Khushboo)

A rich heiress sheltered within the family estate who longs for freedom and resents the restrictions placed on her. Her feelings for Thambi grow as he defends her, and she begins to recognize his care. Their bond tests the boundaries of duty and desire.

❤️ Compassionate 🧭 Curious

Kannamma (Manorama)

A devoted mother who raises Thambi after his father’s death, she endures hardship to shield him from the brothers’ wrath. Her love is a steady, protective force that motivates her to safeguard her family at great personal risk.

👩‍🦳 Motherly 🛡️ Protective

Elder Brother (Radha Ravi)

One of Nandini's protective brothers who guards family honor by confining Nandini and controlling Thambi’s role. He inflicts punishment on Thambi when he perceives a threat, later wrestling with the consequences of his harsh actions.

🏰 Patriarchal ⚖️ Controlling

Other Brother (Goundamani)

The other brother who enforces the house rules and participates in the plan to keep Nandini under tight control. His stance adds to the conflict but also sets up the eventual reckoning with family expectations.

⚔️ Aggressive 🧱 Traditional

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

Major Themes – Chinna Thambi (1991)

Explore the central themes of Chinna Thambi (1991), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

❤️ Love & Freedom

Love grows between Nandini and Thambi against a backdrop of family rules and social expectations. Their bond challenges the idea that marriage should be arranged by others, not chosen by the individuals. The story uses their romance to explore personal freedom, consent, and what people are willing to risk for someone they love.

🔒 Confinement & Authority

Nandini’s confinement inside the estate demonstrates how family honor can override individual agency. The brothers maintain strict control, punishing betrayal and enforcing obedience through fear. The public incident that almost exposes Thambi's intentions forces a reckoning with tradition.

🤝 Loyalty & Redemption

Thambi’s loyalty to Nandini drives him to protect her at great personal cost. Kannamma becomes the quiet anchor who sustains him, while the siblings confront the consequences of their actions. In the end, love, forgiveness, and a renewed sense of family bring reconciliation.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:54

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Chinna Thambi Summary

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Chinna Thambi Summary

Chinna Thambi Timeline

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Chinna Thambi Timeline

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