Rajaraja Cholan

Rajaraja Cholan

Year: 1973

Runtime: More mins

Language: Tamil

Director: A. P. Nagarajan

History

Rajaraja Cholan is a 1973 Tamil film about the life of the Chola king Rajaraja Chola.

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Timeline & Setting – Rajaraja Cholan (1973)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Rajaraja Cholan (1973). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Thanjavur, Chidambaram, Chola capital, Vengi

Set in the heartland of the Chola empire, with Thanjavur's Brihadeswara Temple as a central landmark. The action shifts between the Chola capital, its temple precincts, and the Eastern Chalukya realm of Vengi. Palaces, temples, and secret passages become the stages for political power, culture, and intrigue.

🏛 Temple City 🏰 Dynastic Capital 🗺️ Historical Realm

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

Main Characters – Rajaraja Cholan (1973)

Meet the key characters of Rajaraja Cholan (1973), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rajaraja Cholan (Sivaji Ganesan)

The emperor who rules with intellect and charisma, navigating court rivals and threats to the empire. He disguises himself to verify loyalties, elevates Bala Devar to a minister to test him, and orchestrates negotiations to safeguard the realm. His reverence for ancient scriptures and strategic foresight keep the Chola kingdom secure.

👑 Regal 🧭 Strategist

Kundavai (Lakshmi)

A strong-willed daughter who asserts herself in palace politics and defends her father’s honor. She vows not to marry someone who disrespects him and works to balance personal loyalties with state needs. Her influence helps steer key decisions and stabilize the empire.

👑 Royalty 💬 Influential

Kundavai (S. Varalakshmi)

A second portrayal of Kundavai who shares the same resolve and political acumen, reinforcing her role as a stabilizing force in the court. Her interactions with rivals highlight the nuanced dynamics of power and family.

👑 Royalty 💬 Influential

Bala Devar (M. N. Nambiar)

A cunning minister who schemes to overthrow Rajaraja and seize influence in the capital. His plans involve manipulating others and exploiting divisions within the court. He underestimates Rajaraja’s ability to turn plans against him.

🗡️ Villain 🧭 Power

Poongodi

A village acquaintance drawn into court intrigue, later revealed as a spy working for Rajaraja. Her role shifts from potential ally to instrument of revelation, demonstrating how personal relationships intersect with political strategy.

🎭 Spy 🧩 Deception

Tamizharasi (Ganthimathi)

A poet and playwright who embodies the era’s literary culture. She documents events and adds a cultural lens to the unfolding power dynamics, reflecting how art and politics intertwine in the empire.

🎭 Artist 🗺️ Cultural

Vimalathithan (R. Muthuraman)

A royal figure who confronts Bala Devar’s schemes and challenges the emperor’s authority when needed. His defiance is tempered by loyalty to the realm, and his relationship with Kundavai adds a personal dimension to political conflict.

🗝️ Rebel 🤝 Loyalist

Satyasiriyan

Ruler of a rival faction whose ambitions trigger the Chola campaign in Vengi. His opposition drives the empire’s military actions and tests Rajaraja’s leadership.

⚔️ Rival 🏹 Confrontation

Nambiyandar Nambi (Seergazhi Govindarajan)

A sage and court official who restores ancient scriptures and lends spiritual legitimacy to the empire’s actions. His involvement underscores the link between religion, knowledge, and governance in the Chola realm.

📜 Scholar 🕊️ Wisdom

Rajendra Cholan (Sivakumar)

Rajaraja’s son who, alongside the Chola army, supports the Eastern Chalukya king in reclaiming territory. His role highlights dynastic succession and military collaboration in imperial strategy.

🛡️ Heir 🗡️ Warrior

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

Major Themes – Rajaraja Cholan (1973)

Explore the central themes of Rajaraja Cholan (1973), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👑 Leadership

Rajaraja Cholan drives the empire with strategic vision, balancing court politics, military needs, and culture. The narrative emphasizes strong centralized authority, merit-based appointments, and the use of intelligence to preempt threats. Leadership decisions ripple through family loyalties, rival factions, and the fate of the kingdom.

🕵️ Intrigue

Bala Devar and Poongodi orchestrate plots to undermine the emperor, using secret passages and hidden loyalties to sway decisions. The palace becomes a web of trust and deception, where appearances mask hidden motives. Alliances shift as courtiers test loyalties and power is contested from within.

💡 Strategy

Rajaraja employs disguises, spies, and careful timing to neutralize threats, from poison plots to political machinations in the capital. He uses dialogue and sacred scriptures to justify action and legitimacy. The outcome hinges on shrewd moves rather than sheer brute force.

🤝 Loyalty

Kundavai navigates familial ties and state interests, demanding respect for her father and using personal influence to steer decisions. The bond between Rajaraja and his children tests loyalty, yet unity toward the empire endures. Resolutions hinge on concessions and the preservation of the realm.

Last Updated: October 05, 2025 at 08:29

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Rajaraja Cholan Summary

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Rajaraja Cholan Summary

Rajaraja Cholan Timeline

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Rajaraja Cholan Timeline

More About Rajaraja Cholan

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