Karnan

Karnan

Year: 1964

Runtime: 177 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: B. Ramakrishnaiah Panthulu

DramaActionHistory

A legend walked earth. Brave and loyal warrior-archer Karna joins the Kauravas to battle the Pandavas in the Kurukshetra.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Karnan (1964)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Karnan (1964). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Ancient epic era

The events unfold in a mythic ancient India setting, populated by kings, sages, and gods. It centers on the era around the great Kurukshetra War, with divine interventions and heroic trials shaping destinies.

Location

Anga, Ganges, Kurukshetra

Anga is Karnan's kingdom where he rises to the throne after being crowned. The Ganges is the sacred river where he is abandoned as a baby, then rescued by Adhirathan. The epic unfolds across a mythic Indian landscape, with Kurukshetra serving as the central battlefield where the war decides Karnan's fate.

🏰 Kingdoms 🗺️ Ancient India 💧 Rivers

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

Main Characters – Karnan (1964)

Meet the key characters of Karnan (1964), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Karnan – Sivaji Ganesan

Karnan is born from a boon of the Sun, raised as a charioteer's son, and grows into a formidable warrior who seeks independence. His journey is marked by pride, loyalty, and a tragic downfall in battle.

🏹 Warrior

Subhangi – Devika

Subhangi is Karnan's wife, a source of love and resilience amid the turmoil of war and politics. Her devotion grounds the epic's human dimension.

💗 Love

Krishna – NT Rama Rao

Krishna reveals Karnan's true birth and guides key decisions with prophetic insight, influencing the arc of the war and Karnan's fate.

🧭 Mentor

Arjunan – R. Muthuraman

Arjunan, the Pandava archer, challenges Karnan after learning of his birth. He embodies the might and moral conflict of the Pandavas.

🎯 Archer

Indiran – S. V. Ramadas

Indiran disguises as a Brahmin to test Karnan, setting into motion events that affect fate and divine punishment.

🎭 Deceiver

Bhishma – Javar Seetharaman

Bhishma serves as commander and elder statesman, shaping the battlefield and the constraints of honor and duty.

🗺️ Elder

Duryodhanan – S. A. Asokan

Duryodhanan is Karnan's ally-turned-rival, whose pride and schemes drive the war's political undercurrents.

🪄 Politician

Parashuramar – R. Balasubramaniam

Parashuramar trains Karnan and triggers crucial moments of reckoning that shape his martial fate.

🛡️ Warrior

Draupadi – Jayanthi

Draupadi appears within the epic's web of fates, her presence intersecting the destinies of many warriors.

👑 Queen

Bhanumathi – Savitri

Bhanumathi shares Karnan's life and tragedies, standing as a symbol of loyal partnership amid upheaval.

🔥 Tragedy

Vrishasenan

Vrishasenan, Karnan's son, fights bravely but is slain in the war, underscoring the cost of the conflict.

🧒 Son

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

Major Themes – Karnan (1964)

Explore the central themes of Karnan (1964), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧭 Identity

Karnan's birth and hidden lineage drive his sense of self. Raised as the son of a charioteer, he navigates belonging and loyalty, and his choices are colored by the tension between birthright and family.

⚖️ Duty and Dharma

The story tests Karnan's obligations to family, king, and country against established codes of dharma. He donates his invincible attributes to a Brahmin, accepts a complicated role in the war, and follows a path that blurs moral lines.

🤝 Generosity and Betrayal

Karnan's generosity defines crucial moments, such as giving away armor and weapons. His loyalty to Duryodhanan clashes with the Pandavas, setting the stage for tragedy when misunderstandings and fate collide.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:36

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Unlock the Full Story of Karnan

Don't stop at just watching — explore Karnan in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Karnan is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Karnan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Karnan, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Karnan Summary

Karnan Timeline

Track the full timeline of Karnan with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Karnan Timeline

More About Karnan

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More About Karnan

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