Nadigan

Nadigan

Year: 1990

Runtime: 145 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: P. Vasu

Nadigan (English: Actor) is a 1990 Tamil-language film directed by P. Vasu. The movie stars Sathyaraj in the lead role alongside Kushboo Sundar. Upon its release it garnered largely positive reviews and became a blockbuster, indicating strong box‑office performance. Critics highlighted Vasu's direction and the leads' chemistry as key strengths. It is a Tamil remake of the Hindi film Professor.

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Timeline & Setting – Nadigan (1990)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Nadigan (1990). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Island Estate, Kodaikanal

A vast Island Estate tucked in the hills of Kodaikanal serves as the home and strict backdrop for Geetha, Radha, and their siblings. The estate is governed by a rigid, old-school caretaker who enforces traditional values and discipline. Its secluded grounds become the stage for secret identities, reunions, and dangerous pursuits.

🏝️ Island Estate 🗺️ Kodaikanal Hills

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

Main Characters – Nadigan (1990)

Meet the key characters of Nadigan (1990), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Raja (aka Devaraj)

A resourceful street performer who!, after a suitcase mix-up, disguises himself as an elderly music teacher named Devaraj to secure a job and funds for his ailing mother. His wit and courage drive him through dangerous confrontations, while his growing affection for Geetha complicates his ruse.

🎭 Deception 💪 Determination 💖 Love

Geetha

A young woman living with her sisters and strict aunt in the Island Estate. She initially falls for the disguise Devaraj, then discovers Raja’s true identity, and must navigate trust, romance, and danger while seeking freedom from her aunt’s rules.

❤️ Love 🧭 Trust 👀 Suspense

Radha

Geetha’s sister who longs for independence and harbors feelings for Inspector Chinni. She looks for ways to break free from the estate’s restrictions while staying loyal to her sister.

💃 Freedom 💬 Loyalty 👮 Romance

Anandha Karpagavalli

The stern, old-school caretaker of the Island Estate who enforces tradition and discipline. Over time, her rigid control softens as circumstances force her to reassess rules and allow glimpses of reform.

👵 Tradition 🧭 Authority

Vishwanathan

A ruthless businessman who murders his partner and stages it as suicide to hide his profits. He relentlessly pursues the incriminating video cassette and uses henchmen to tighten the net around Geetha and Raja.

🗡️ Villain 💼 Power

Raghu

Vishwanathan’s partner whose murder triggers the central investigation. His death reveals the depths of Vishwanathan’s scheme and the danger surrounding the estate.

💔 Betrayal 🩸 Crime

Devaraj (the real Devaraj)

The true music teacher whose missing connections and suitcase swap set off a chain of mistaken identities. He represents the proper path and becomes entangled in the deception around Raja’s disguise.

🎭 Identity 🧭 Confusion

Kannayiram

A petty thief who hides in Raja’s house and manipulates events through blackmail, complicating Raja’s already perilous predicament.

🗝️ Theft 🥷 Intrigue

Kandhasamy

Posing as Devaraj’s brother, Kandhasamy infiltrates the household, adding to the web of deception the family must untangle.

🎭 Deception 🧳 Infiltration

Maya

Geetha’s friend who becomes part of the plot by sending the vital video cassette toward investigators, triggering the final chase.

👭 Friendship 📨 Transmission

Inspector Chinni

An inspector who becomes entwined with Radha’s affections and the pursuit of Vishwanathan’s crimes, representing law and order within the unfolding chaos.

👮 Law 🕵️ Justice

Prashanth

One of the siblings living with the aunt; his presence adds to the family dynamics and the pressure of the estate’s rules.

👶 Family 🏠 Everyday Life

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

Major Themes – Nadigan (1990)

Explore the central themes of Nadigan (1990), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🎭 Identity

Raja’s dual life as a street performer and the elderly Devaraj drives a web of mistaken identities. The disguise helps him navigate the estate and protect his loved ones, but also puts him at risk as loyalties blur. The theme explores how appearances can obscure truth and motive.

💰 Greed

Vishwanathan’s murderous plot is driven by profit and control, setting off a chase for the incriminating evidence. Wealth fuels deception, violence, and power plays that threaten everyone around him. The pursuit of money intensifies the danger and stakes.

🏡 Tradition vs Freedom

Anandha Karpagavalli’s strict rules confine Geetha and Radha, fueling their longing for autonomy. As the story unfolds, the sisters seek liberation within a rigid social structure, challenging old norms. The estate becomes a battleground where tradition clashes with personal agency.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:33

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies like Nadigan: High-Stakes Impersonation with a Conscience

Protagonists who hide their true identity to save the day, creating a web of lies and tension.Discover movies like Nadigan where a protagonist takes on a dangerous undercover role to protect a family or achieve justice. If you enjoyed the tense deception and heroic sacrifice in Nadigan, these stories of hidden identities under pressure with hopeful endings will appeal to you.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative follows a character who, out of desperation or duty, adopts a new identity to infiltrate a situation. The plot is driven by the constant threat of discovery, the development of genuine connections based on the lie, and a climactic moment where the truth must be faced, often leading to a resolution that validates the protagonist's risky choices.

Why These Movies?

This thread groups movies that share the core conflict of noble deception. They balance TENSE suspense with MEDIUM emotional weight, as the protagonist's moral compass is tested. The experience is defined by the VARIABLE pacing, shifting between the careful construction of the lie and the frantic action when it's threatened, culminating in a satisfying, HAPPY resolution.

Tense Family Rescue Dramas Like Nadigan

Desperate measures to protect a family from external threats, racing against a dangerous deadline.If you liked the high-stakes family peril and desperate rescue mission in Nadigan, explore these movies. This list features tense dramas where a protagonist must outsmart criminals and overcome corruption to save their loved ones against all odds.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a family facing an imminent threat, such as kidnapping or financial ruin. The protagonist embarks on a dangerous path, often involving crime or deception, to gather resources or information. The narrative builds through escalating threats and tense confrontations, leading to a climactic rescue sequence where the family's safety is ultimately secured.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here by their core premise of a family under siege and the desperate, often morally complex, actions taken to save them. They share a HIGH intensity, TENSE tone, and VARIABLE pacing that mixes character-driven drama with frantic action. The emotional core is the unwavering theme of family loyalty triumphing over external corruption.

Unlock the Full Story of Nadigan

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Nadigan Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Nadigan, 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.

Nadigan Summary

Nadigan Timeline

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Nadigan Timeline

More About Nadigan

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