111: Appu Raja 1990 Hindi Movie
The most "useful" aspect of knowing this film is understanding its place in cinematic history. In an era long before CGI and de-aging technology were standard, Appu Raja achieved the impossible.
1. The Visual Effect: Kamal Haasan played the role of "Appu," a dwarf, without the use of special effects. The team used a combination of:
2. The Acting: Kamal Haasan delivered two distinct performances in one film.
The Hindi dubbed version released in 1990 had a mixed reception.
Directed by the legendary filmmaker Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, Appu Raja was the Hindi dubbed version of the 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal (The Unique Brothers). The film stars the iconic Kamal Haasan in what might be the most audacious role of his career: a dual role as a father (Raja) and his son (Appu).
Here is the spine-tingling plot summary that made 90s kids rush to the theaters:
The story begins with a tragedy. A police officer (Raja) is brutally murdered by a gang of four criminals led by the villainous Deva. The officer’s pregnant wife is raped and shot, but survives just long enough to give birth to a son, Appu, before dying.
Appu grows up, but not normally. Due to his mother’s injuries, the boy is a dwarf. Living with his grandfather (played by the brilliant Delhi Ganesh), Appu is a circus mechanic who faces a world that laughs at his height. But here is the twist—Appu is a genius. He builds a robotic suit that allows him to transform into a 6-foot-tall "Red Mask" vigilante.
The film’s climax is legendary: Appu invites his father’s four murderers to a wedding. The twist? He is the groom, the bride is a life-sized doll, and the wedding hall is a deathtrap. The sight of Kamal Haasan (as Appu) riding a tiny bicycle alongside a majestic horse, or dancing with the doll, is etched into the memory of every Indian who grew up in the 90s.
In the annals of early 90s Hindi cinema, few films are as peculiar or as fascinatingly misguided as Appu Raja. Starring the inimitable Kamal Haasan in a dual role (one of which is a dwarf), this film is a direct Hindi remake of his own 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the movie is less a straightforward narrative and more a fever dream of revenge, melodrama, circus acts, and surprisingly sharp social commentary.
The Plot (Such as it is): The story begins with tragedy: a kind-hearted circus owner (Kamal Haasan) is murdered by a gang of wealthy, sadistic criminals led by the villainous Ganga (Rupini, in a rare but effective negative role). His pregnant wife is assaulted and imprisoned, giving birth to a son, Appu, who grows up to be a dwarf. The second half reveals that Appu has an identical twin brother (also Kamal Haasan), raised in secrecy, who is of normal height. Together, they orchestrate an elaborate, circus-themed revenge.
The Good: Kamal Haasan’s Dedication & the Circus Setting
Let’s get the obvious out of the way: Kamal Haasan is extraordinary. His portrayal of Appu, the dwarf, is not just prosthetic makeup; it’s a full-bodied physical performance. He moves, dances, and fights with a convincing gait and weight that few actors would commit to. The film’s best moments are the quieter ones where Appu uses his intellect and the unique geography of his miniature world (toy cars, dollhouses) to outsmart his enemies.
The circus setting is a stroke of genius. It provides a visual palette of color, danger, and magic. The climax, which takes place inside a rotating circus cage of death, is genuinely inventive and well-staged. Songs like "Aadha Hai Chandrama" and "Lakdi Ki Kathi" (the latter featuring a pre-fame Aishwarya Rai in a blink-and-miss cameo) remain earworms for a reason.
The Bad: Jarrring Tonal Whiplash & Pacing
Appu Raja suffers from a severe identity crisis. In one scene, we have the brutal, off-screen rape of the hero’s mother and the cold-blooded murder of children. In the next, we have a slapstick comedy track featuring the hero’s buffoonish sidekick (a wasted Annu Kapoor) and a talking parrot. The film swings from dark, gritty revenge thriller to whimsical children’s fantasy so fast it gives the viewer vertigo. appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111
The first hour is a slog of relentless misery. By the time the revenge plot kicks in, the audience is emotionally exhausted. Furthermore, the “surprise” of the twin brother is telegraphed so early that the film’s central reveal feels less like a twist and more like a delayed explanation.
The Ugly: Problematic Subtext
It is impossible to review Appu Raja in 2024 without addressing its uncomfortable core. The film makes a hero out of a dwarf, yet much of the humor is derived from people mocking his height. More problematically, the climax hinges on a truly bizarre piece of “justice”: the female villain is defeated not by being fought, but by being stripped and tied naked to a merry-go-round for a public audience. The film frames this as a righteous punishment, but it is an undeniably regressive and disturbing sequence that has aged like sour milk.
Verdict: A Curious Artifact, Not a Classic
Appu Raja is not a good movie in the conventional sense. It is too long, too tonally confused, and features sequences that range from baffling to offensive. However, it is rarely boring. For fans of Kamal Haasan’s chameleon-like talent or for those interested in the wilder, more experimental fringes of Bollywood (which, technically, this is—it’s a Hindi film produced in Tamil Nadu), it is a must-watch.
Think of it as a cinematic oddity: a revenge tragedy staged by a circus clown. You will scratch your head, you may cringe, but you will not forget it.
Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5) One star for Kamal Haasan’s performance, one star for the inventive climax, and half a star for the sheer audacity of its existence.
is the 1990 Hindi-dubbed version of the 1989 Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal. Directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao and produced by Kamal Haasan, the film is a classic revenge drama widely celebrated for its groundbreaking practical effects and Haasan's triple role. Plot Overview
The story follows twins, Appu and Raja, who are separated at birth after their father, honest police officer Sethupathi, is murdered by four criminals.
Appu grows up in a circus and becomes a dwarf due to the poison given to his mother while she was pregnant.
Raja grows up to be a mechanic, unaware of his brother's existence.Upon learning the truth about his father's death, Appu begins a quest for revenge, using his circus skills and clever traps to eliminate the murderers one by one. Technical Mastery: Creating the Dwarf
The film is legendary for portraying Kamal Haasan as a dwarf without the use of modern CGI. The illusion was achieved through: The Story of 'Appu Raja' - Gee Kaul
The story of the 1990 Hindi film (originally released in Tamil as Apoorva Sagodharargal
in 1989) is a classic saga of separation and revenge. It is widely celebrated for Kamal Haasan's
iconic triple role, particularly his groundbreaking portrayal of a dwarf. The Tragic Beginning The story begins with Sethupathy The most "useful" aspect of knowing this film
, an honest police officer who arrests four powerful criminals: Dharmaraj, Francis Anbarasu, Nallasivam, and Satyamoorthy. Seeking revenge, the criminals escape justice, murder Sethupathy, and force his pregnant wife, Kaveri, to drink poison. Kaveri survives and gives birth to twins, but they are separated at birth; she keeps one child, while the other is found and raised by a woman named Muniyamma. Parallel Lives
: Raised by his mother in a circus, Appu grows up to be a talented circus clown. Due to the poison his mother was forced to drink while pregnant, he is a dwarf.
: Raised by Muniyamma, Raja grows up to be a spirited car mechanic of normal height, unaware of his true identity or his twin brother. The Catalyst for Revenge Appu falls in love with
, the circus owner's daughter. He mistakenly believes she reciprocates his feelings, but is devastated when she asks him to witness her marriage to another man. Heartbroken and facing ridicule for his height, Appu attempts suicide. His mother stops him and reveals the truth about his father’s murder and the cause of his dwarfism. The Masterful Vengeance
Determined to avenge his father, Appu uses his circus skills and unique gadgets—like a double-edged stunt gun and trained circus animals—to eliminate the four criminals one by one. Mistaken Identity
: Because Raja and Appu are identical in face, the police and the surviving criminals mistake the mechanic Raja for the killer. The Reunion
: The twins finally cross paths during the final stages of Appu's revenge plan. They eventually realize their relationship and join forces to finish the job. The Climax
In the final showdown, the remaining villains are defeated through Appu's ingenious traps. Despite his heroic actions, Appu ultimately surrenders to the police to take responsibility for the killings, leaving Raja to take care of their mother. technical secrets
behind how Kamal Haasan filmed the dwarf scenes in an era before modern CGI?
Appu Raja (1990) : The Cinematic Magic of Kamal Haasan's Dwarf Avatar
When we talk about groundbreaking moments in Indian cinema, the 1990 Hindi film
stands as a towering achievement. A dubbed version of the Tamil blockbuster Apoorva Sagodharargal
(1989), it isn't just a movie; it’s a masterclass in performance and technical ingenuity that remains legendary even decades later. The Plot: A Classic Tale of Revenge The story follows twin brothers, , both played by Kamal Haasan
, who are separated at birth after the brutal murder of their father, an honest police officer. : Becomes a street-smart mechanic living in the city.
: Grows up in a circus as a dwarf clown due to a poisoning attempt on his mother during pregnancy. In the annals of early 90s Hindi cinema,
The emotional core of the film is Appu’s discovery of the truth behind his family's tragedy. He embarks on a creative and chilling quest for vengeance against the four men responsible for his father’s death, using his circus skills to orchestrate their "accidental" demises. Technical Brilliance: How Did He Do It?
Long before high-end CGI, Kamal Haasan and director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao achieved the illusion of Appu’s short stature through pure cinematic craft. Physical Commitment : Haasan often performed scenes on his knees
with specially designed shoes or walked in trenches dug into the floor while other actors stood at ground level. Visual Illusions
: A custom rubber suit was used to alter his torso's appearance, making the dwarf character look anatomically believable. : Unlike many dubbed films of the era, Kamal Haasan dubbed his own lines
for the Hindi version, ensuring his performance translated perfectly to North Indian audiences. Why It Matters Today wasn't just a commercial hit; it established Haasan as the "Original Pan-India Superstar"
. It showcased that a masala entertainer could be technically sophisticated and emotionally resonant. The film also features a memorable soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja
, with the song "Aaya Hai Raja" becoming an anthem for fans. Even with modern films like Shah Rukh Khan’s attempting similar themes, remains the original benchmark
for portraying a dwarf character with dignity, depth, and sheer cinematic "wow" factor. used to create the dwarf effect? The Story of 'Appu Raja' | Gee Kaul
In the annals of late 80s and early 90s Hindi cinema, there are films that age gracefully, films that fade into obscurity, and then there are phenomena. Appu Raja (1990) falls squarely into the latter category. It is a film that defied logic, shattered box office expectations, and left an entire generation spellbound. Today, if you search for the phrase "appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111", you aren't just looking for a film; you are unlocking a specific piece of pop culture history—one that involves a half-man, half-machine protagonist, a magical formula, and a puzzling numerical code.
But what exactly is "Movie 111"? Is it a runtime? A secret code? Or a mislabeling that became legendary? Let’s dive deep into the world of Appu Raja, the man who was "half-ticket," and uncover the truth behind the digits.
The film’s audacious claim to fame? One hundred and eleven songs. Yes, you read that right. In reality, the movie uses a musical shorthand: 108 of these are 10-second interludes—a tabla beat here, a flute tweet there—every time the number 111 appears on screen (which is often). The three “full” songs are bizarrely wonderful:
The keyword "appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111" is more than a search query. It is a secret handshake. It is a call to everyone who remembers squinting at a fuzzy CRT television, mesmerized by a tiny man fighting four giants.
Whether "111" refers to the truncated runtime, a pirate file number, or simply the page number in a lost log book, it has become an indelible part of the film’s mythology. In an era where Bollywood remakes South Indian blockbusters with massive budgets and CGI, Appu Raja reminds us that sometimes, all you need is a little imagination... and a half-ticket hero.
Rating for the 111 cut: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Minus one star for the missing songs, plus five stars for the nostalgia.
Have you watched the "111" version? Do you remember the "Orange Marmalade" death scene? Let us know in the comments below.
Keywords Used: Appu Raja 1990 Hindi movie 111, Kamal Haasan dwarf film, Apoorva Sagodharargal Hindi dubbed, 111 minute movie, 90s cult classics, Red Mask vigilante.
Unlike typical saccharine Hindi family dramas, Appu Raja was ruthlessly violent and darkly comic. The hero murders the villains one by one, not in self-defense, but in cold, calculated revenge. He serves one villain his own son in a soup! This edge-of-the-seat cruelty was unprecedented.