| Karnaa | |
| Director: | Selva |
| Producer: | V. Ramesh |
| Story: | Arjun |
| Screenplay: | Selva |
| Starring: | Arjun Ranjitha Vineetha |
| Cinematography: | K. S. Selvaraj |
| Editing: | P. Venkateswara Rao |
| Music: | Vidyasagar |
| Studio: | Vijaya Madhavi Combines |
| Runtime: | 140 minutes |
| Country: | India |
| Language: | Tamil |
Karnaa is a 1995 Indian Tamil-language action drama film directed by Selva. The film stars Arjun in a dual role, alongside Ranjitha and Vineetha. It was released on 14 April 1995,[1] [2] and became a box office success.[3]
Vijay is a carefree youth, who is sent by his father ACP Deenadayalan in Ooty to work and become an responsible businessman. He falls in love with the college student Anjali, whose brothers are dangerous criminals and they are against their love from the fact that Vijay's father is a cop. Devaraj is sent to prison in order for his brother to appoint the lawyer Karnaa, who is disabled and Vijay's doppelganger.
Later, Karnaa falls in love with the school teacher Amudha, after few quarrels among them. One day, Deenadayalan sees Karnaa at the court who is identical to his Vijay. In the past, Deenadayalan had twin boys, but abandoned one of the twin babies because he was disabled. Karnaa is upset when he learns the truth and is now determined to win the case in front of his father. He ultimately wins the case and Devaraj is eventually released. Deenadayalan discloses the truth to his wife Lakshmi, who wants to bring back her son Karnaa at any cost.
Meanwhile, Vijay is arrested by the police because of Devaraj's conspiracy. Karnaa rejects his parents' pleas and finds it outrageous to abandon a baby due to his disability. Karnaa promises to help Vijay, but he advises Vijay to escape from the prison. Devaraj shows his secret illegal business to Karnaa, and Vijay takes some photos of his factory. Afterwards, Devaraj's goons kidnap their parents, Karnaa's adopted mother and Amudha. Vijay and Karnaa finally save them and send Devaraj to prison.
While filming the climactic action sequence, stuntman Sahul wanted to try out a bike stunt in a manner inspired by Jackie Chan. Though the producer was hesitant, Arjun was convinced. Sahul managed the sequence in a single take.[4]
The soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar, with lyrics written by Vairamuthu.[5] [6] The song "Malare Mounama" is set in Darbari Kanada raga.[7] [8] "Aai Shabba" is primarily based on the song "Chebba" by Algerian singer Khaled,[9] while its beginning music is based on another Khaled song "Les Ailes". "Malare Mounama" is based on Vidyasagar's own Telugu song "Okate Korika" from Chirunavvula Varamistava (1993).
K. Vijiyan of New Straits Times wrote, "Karna turns out to be a neat package of sentiment, love, action and songs".[10] R. P. R. of Kalki wrote there are two types of masala: action masala and sentiment masala. R. P. R. wrote that the former makes body painful while the latter makes nose pain. He added that the makers had mixed both and taken it with the goal of entertainment without much wrinkle and spillage.[11]