Tarka

Tarka

Year: 1989

Runtime: 126 mins

Language: Kannada

Director: Sunil Kumar Desai

RomanceThriller

After breaking out of prison, Akshay flees to the isolated home of Sudha, hoping to find shelter. Inside, he is shocked to discover a dead body. Sudha then admits she murdered her husband, and proceeds to recount the circumstances that drove her to commit the crime.

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Timeline & Setting – Tarka (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Tarka (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Sudha's house (estate), Abandoned well on the estate, Kumar's house, Calcutta

The narrative largely unfolds within Sudha's family estate, centering on her house as the crime unfolds and the cover-up begins. An abandoned well on the estate serves as the grim repository for the murdered husband’s body, anchoring the film’s key locations. The backstory includes a trip to Calcutta, which informs the motives and the timeline of events that the investigation must untangle.

🏠 Domestic setting 🧭 Crime scene ✈️ Travel 🗺️ Urban setting

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Main Characters – Tarka (1989)

Meet the key characters of Tarka (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Inspector Cowry (Avinash)

A sharp, relentless investigating officer who pieces the crime together from the corpse discovery to the blackmail plot. He uncovers the chain of deception leading to Akshay and Sudha, driving the confession and subsequent arrest. His persistence keeps the investigation anchored in motive and accountability.

🔎 Detective 🧭 Investigation ⚖️ Justice

Ritwik Kumar (Devaraj)

A paranoid husband suffering from schizophrenia who suspects his wife's fidelity. His violent outburst triggers the murder that sets the plot in motion, and his backstory informs later revelations about who killed him and why. His trauma and jealousy anchor the film's exploration of trust and manipulation.

🧠 Mental health 🔪 Murder 💔 Jealousy

Sudha (Vanitha Vasu)

A high school classmate who kills her husband and confesses to Akshay, then becomes enveloped in a web of concealment and blackmail. Her choices reveal a pragmatic, risk-aware nature, yet she succumbs to the pressure of keeping secrets. Her actions drive the central mystery and moral ambiguity of the story.

💬 Drama 💔 Betrayal 🔒 Secrets

Akshay / Harish (Shankar Nag)

A crafty escapee who returns to Kumar's house to avenge Smitha's murder, adopting a disguise to manipulate events. His calculated moves spark a chain reaction that leads to further killings and intensifies the crisis. He embodies the film's themes of vengeance, manipulation, and moral ambiguity.

🗡️ Revenge 🎭 Deception 🧠 Calculated

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

Major Themes – Tarka (1989)

Explore the central themes of Tarka (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🗝️ Secrets

The plot thrives on hidden truths and concealed motives as Sudha and Akshay work to keep the murder under wraps. The discovery of the corpse, the fake alibi, and the blackmail attempt all revolve around maintaining secrecy. Confessions and revelations drive the tension, shifting focus among suspects and unraveling the lie.

💔 Jealousy

Schizophrenia-fueled paranoia in Ritwik Kumar triggers a violent confrontation rooted in perceived infidelity. The film links love, betrayal, and manipulation to deadly consequences, showing how jealousy can push ordinary lives toward catastrophe. Sudha’s response to the pressure of her marriage further amplifies the destructive dynamic.

🗡️ Revenge

Akshay’s actions are framed as vengeance for his girlfriend Smitha’s murder, guiding him to eliminate Kumar. The pursuit of revenge acts as a catalyst that escalates violence and entangles multiple characters in a web of calculation and risk. The theme of revenge blurs moral lines and drives the story toward a bleak resolution.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:34

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Tarka Summary

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Tarka Summary

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Tarka Timeline

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