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{{for|the television series|Chinna Thambi (TV series)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Chinna Thambi
| image = Chinna Thambi.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[P. Vasu]]
| writer = P. Vasu
| producer = Balu
| starring = [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]]<br />[[Khushbu]]
| cinematography = Ravinder
| editing = P. Mohanraj
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio = Malar Combines
| distributor =
| released = {{film date|1991|4|12|df=y}}
| runtime = 138 minutes
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}
'''''Chinna Thambi''''' ({{trans|Little Brother}}) is a 1991 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[romantic drama]] film written and directed by [[P. Vasu]].  The film stars [[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]] as the titular character, an uneducated village simpleton and [[Khushbu]] as Nandini, a home-schooled wealthy girl. [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]], [[Radha Ravi]], [[Uday Prakash (actor)|Uday Prakash]], Rajeshkumar, and [[Goundamani]] play supporting roles. The music was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]], and the film released on 12 April 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2021 |title='சின்னதம்பி' வெளியாகி 30 ஆண்டுகள்: குஷ்பு நெகிழ்ச்சி |url=https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/658079-khushboo-tweet-about-chinnathambi.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412063333/https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/658079-khushboo-tweet-about-chinnathambi.html |archive-date=12 April 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=[[Hindu Tamil Thisai]] |language=ta}}</ref>

The film was remade in [[Kannada]] as ''[[Ramachaari]]'' (1991), [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''[[Chanti (1992 film)|Chanti]]'' (1992), [[Hindi]] as ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]'' (1993) and [[Nepali language|Nepali]] as ''Chor'' (1998). The film was one of Prabhu's biggest blockbusters and completed a 356-day run in 9 screens and 100-day run in 47 screens.

== Plot ==
The movie starts with the birth of a baby girl, Nandini, in a rich family. Her three elder brothers throw a feast in honour of her. The young son of the local singer (who had died) is brought in to sing for the event. The three brothers raise Nandini like their own child as their parents had died. At the age of five, an astrologer predicts that Nandini will bring much happiness to the family, but she will marry a person of her choice and not of her brothers' choosing. This angers the brothers, and to prevent this from happening, they raise Nandhini within the confines of the house. She is homeschooled, and when she does go out, all the men are warned to hide from Nandini and that seeing her will be met with dire consequences.

Nandini soon reaches puberty. The few males allowed around her are the service staff and her bodyguards. Meanwhile, the boy who sang, Chinna Thambi, grows up to be a naïve and gullible simpleton with a heart of gold. He is raised by his widowed mother Kannamma. He does not go to school and spends his time singing and entertaining the people of the village.

One day the bodyguards get into a fight with Chinna Thambi, who defeats them. Impressed with Chinna Thambi's naivete and fighting skills, the brothers hire Chinna Thambi to be Nandini's bodyguard and butler. Nandini meanwhile starts to resent her lack of freedom. She coerces Chinna Thambi to show her the village without her brothers' knowledge. Chinna Thambi complies with her wishes and shows her the village, which results in Nandini falling ill. Chinna Thambi is blamed for Nandini getting sick and is beaten up by the brothers. Nandini, who has just started to like Chinna Thambi, feels guilty for being the reason for him getting thrashed. She shares her medicine with Chinna Thambi, who inadvertently equates Nandini to his mother, as being the few people who truly care for him. This incident brings them closer together emotionally.

One day, a factory worker is punished for leering at Nandini. He plots to kill her at the inauguration of the new factory owned by her brothers. Chinna Thambi overhears the plot, and in a desperate attempt to save Nandini, lunges at her and inadvertently feels her up in public. Nandini does not mind and defends Chinna Thambi by arguing that he would not do something like that in public without good reason. But her brothers are enraged and beat Chinna Thambi to the point that they almost kill him. Nandini stops them and gives him a chance to explain. When Chinna Thambi explains the situation, they hang their heads in shame. Chinna Thambi quits his job on the spot, despite Nandini's silent apology. That night, Nandini decides to meet Chinna Thambi and apologise and perhaps convince him to come back to the job. Chinna Thambi refuses to come back as he does not want to put up with the violent nature of her brothers. She thinks if Chinna Thambi marries her, they will not be able to manhandle Chinna Thambi. She convinces Chinna Thambi to tie a mangalsutra around her neck, which will protect him from her brothers. Chinna Thambi, without realising the sanctity of the act, does as told and does not realise that he is now married to her.

Chinna Thambi comes back to work and is given a higher level of respect by the brothers for saving Nandini's life. Nandini too starts emulating her sisters-in-law in taking care of her husband. This makes Chinna Thambi nervous, but he still remains clueless. Her change in behaviour is noticed by her sisters-in-law, who urge the brothers to get Nandini married off before she brings shame to the family. Nandini, realising that they are trying to get her married off, tries to make Chinna Thambi understand that they are already married. Chinna Thambi refuses to understand and runs away to his mother, who upon learning what has happened, pulls him out of denial. She sends him away in an attempt to protect him.

The brothers come to know what has happened and torture Kannamma to get her to reveal where her son is hiding. She is saved in time by her son, who almost kills the brothers. The wives of the brothers stop him from killing them and ask him to save Nandini, who has now resorted to self-destruction upon hearing the torturous acts of her brothers. Chinna Thambi rushes back to save his wife and revives her with his singing. Nandini runs towards him, and the movie ends with them embracing, with her brothers finally supporting their relationship.

== Cast ==
* [[Prabhu Ganesan]] as Chinna Thambi
* [[Khushbu]] as Nandhini
* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Kannamma, Chinna Thambi's mother
* [[Radha Ravi]] as Nandhini's eldest brother
* [[Uday Prakash (actor)|Uday Prakash]] as Nandhini's second-eldest brother
* Rajeshkumar as Nandhini's third-eldest brother
* [[Goundamani]] as Cook Kandhasamy
* [[Sulakshana (actress)|Sulakshana]] as Nandhini's eldest sister-in-law
* Yuvasri as Nandhini's sister-in-law
* [[Pandu (actor)|Pandu]] as Maid
* [[Oru Viral Krishna Rao]] as Kandhasamy's father-in-law
* [[Shakthi Vasudevan|Master Shakthi]] as Young Chinna Thambi

== Production ==
P. Vasu's son Sakthi made his screen debut as a child artist with this film; he appeared as young Prabhu in the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2021 |title=Actress Khushbu Sundar reminisces 30 years of Chinna Thambi, calls it a 'cult' |url=https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/actress-khushbu-sundar-reminisces-30-years-of-chinna-thambi-calls-it-a-cult/744234 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412134119/https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/tamil/article/actress-khushbu-sundar-reminisces-30-years-of-chinna-thambi-calls-it-a-cult/744234 |archive-date=12 April 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=[[Times Now]]}}</ref> Khushbu joined the film at Vasu's insistence.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2021 |title=30 Years of 'Chinna Thambi': Khushbu goes nostalgic about her biggest blockbuster |url=https://www.sify.com/movies/30-years-of-chinna-thambi-khushbu-goes-nostalgic-about-her-biggest-blockbuster-news-tamil-vemgSofichbig.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415125333/https://www.sify.com/movies/30-years-of-chinna-thambi-khushbu-goes-nostalgic-about-her-biggest-blockbuster-news-tamil-vemgSofichbig.html |archive-date=15 April 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The filming was held at Gobichettipalayam.<ref name="ie">{{Cite news |last=Prasad |first=Ayyappa |date=28 August 1992 |title=Gobi glamour catching |pages=7 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19920828&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]] and lyrics were written by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]], Ilaiyaraaja and [[Gangai Amaran]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chinnathambi Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/chinnathambi-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622081901/https://mossymart.com/product/chinnathambi-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja/ |archive-date=22 June 2021 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=Mossymart}}</ref> Ilaiyaraaja composed all the songs within 35 minutes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kamath |first=Sudhish |author-link=Sudhish Kamath |date=4 September 2012 |title=The Maestro's Magic continues |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-maestros-magic-continues/article3856269.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622081415/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/the-maestros-magic-continues/article3856269.ece |archive-date=22 June 2021}}</ref> All of them were chartbusters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 September 2012 |title=Raaja's 35-minute track record |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/did-you-know-/Raajas-35-minute-track-record/articleshow/16335972.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120919192150/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/tamil/did-you-know-/Raajas-35-minute-track-record/articleshow/16335972.cms |archive-date=19 September 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! Track # !! Song !! Singer(s) !! Lyrics !! Duration
|-
| 1
| "Thooliyile Ada Vantha I"
| [[K. S. Chithra]]
| rowspan=2|[[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| 2:40
|-
| 2
| "Thooliyile Ada Vantha II"
| [[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
| 4:38
|-
| 3
| "Poovoma Oorgolam"
| [[Swarnalatha]], [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| Ilaiyaraaja
| 4:44
|-
| 4
| "Ada Uchcham Thala"
| Mano
| rowspan=2|[[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| 4:58
|-
| 5
| "Kuyila Pudichchu"
| S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| 4:46
|-
| 6
| "Arachcha Santhanam"
| S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| [[Gangai Amaran]]
| 4:52
|-
| 7
| "Nee Engey En Anbe"
| Swarnalatha
| rowspan=2|[[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| 5:04
|-
| 8
| "Thooliyile Ada Vantha III"
| Mano
| 1.52
|}

== Reception ==
''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote, "The conflicts are generated in such a way as to excite the sentiments of lay audiences".<ref>{{Cite news |last=NKS |date=12 April 1991 |title=Chinnathambi |page=7 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19910412&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}</ref>

== Awards ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee
! Result
!Ref.
|-
|rowspan=7|[[Cinema Express Awards]]
|[[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil|Best Tamil Film]]
|K. Balu
|rowspan="15" {{won}}
|rowspan=7 style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 1992 |title=Chinna Thambhi Bags Cinema Express Award |page=3 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1432,722114&dq=cinema+express&hl=en}}</ref>
|-
|Best Tamil Director
|[[P. Vasu]]
|-
|[[Cinema Express Award for Best Actress – Tamil|Best Tamil Actress]]
|[[Khushbu]]
|-
|Best Tamil Comedian
|[[Goundamani]]
|-
|Best Tamil Male Playback
|[[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
|-
|Best Tamil Female Playback
|[[Swarnalatha]]
|-
|Best Tamil Choreographer
|D. K. S. Babu
|-
|[[Filmfare Awards South]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil|Best Tamil Film]]
|K. Balu
| style="text-align:center;"| <ref>{{Cite magazine |title=39th Annual Filmfare Awards Nite |url=https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareTamilBestDirectorFilmMusic |magazine=[[Filmfare]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170208065721/https://archive.org/details/39thAnnualFilmfareTamilBestDirectorFilmMusic |archive-date=8 February 2017}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan=7 |[[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film (First Place)]]
|K. Balu
|rowspan=7 style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ashok Kumar |first=S.R. |date=8 May 2009 |title=My first break – Swarnalatha |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/my-first-break-swarnalatha/article3021458.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517060208/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/my-first-break-swarnalatha/article3021458.ece |archive-date=17 May 2015}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite news |date=30 October 1992 |title=Chinnathambi bags six awards |page=3 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19921030&printsec=frontpage&hl=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director|Best Director]]
|[[P. Vasu]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor in Lead Role]]
|[[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress in Lead Role]]
|[[Khushbu]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Male Playback|Best Male Playback]]
|[[Mano (singer)|Mano]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback|Best Female Playback]]
|[[Swarnalatha]]
|-
|[[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Choreographer|Best Choreographer]]
|D. K. S. Babu
|}

== Remakes ==
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="background:#ccc; text-align:center;" |-

! Year
! Film
! Language
!{{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Ramachaari]]''
| [[Kannada]]
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=S. Shiva |date=2 June 2011 |title=Waiting with hope |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/waiting-with-hope/article2071069.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200821120753/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/waiting-with-hope/article2071069.ece |archive-date=21 August 2020}}</ref>
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Chanti (1992 film)|Chanti]]''
| [[Telugu language|Telugu]]
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sri |date=15 July 2010 |title=Interview: Ravi Raja Pinisetty |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/stars/interview_ravirajapinishetty2010_2.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231093834/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/stars/interview_ravirajapinishetty2010_2.php |archive-date=31 December 2010 |access-date=31 October 2020 |website=Telugucinema.com |page=2}}</ref>
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Anari (1993 film)|Anari]]''
| [[Hindi]]
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Devesh |date=25 June 2020 |title=Filmfare Recommends: Top 10 Films of Karisma Kapoor |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/filmfare-recommends-top-10-films-of-karisma-kapoor-41788.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024171658/https://www.filmfare.com/features/filmfare-recommends-top-10-films-of-karisma-kapoor-41788.html |archive-date=24 October 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020 |website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref>
|}

== Legacy ==
''Chinna Thambi'' became a major breakthrough for Prabhu and Kushboo.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=21 October 2016 |title=A Silver Toast To The Golden Year Of Tamil Cinema |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/a-silver-toast-to-the-golden-year-of-tamil-cinema/297311 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200924180647/https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/a-silver-toast-to-the-golden-year-of-tamil-cinema/297311 |archive-date=24 September 2020 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook]]}}</ref> They became one of the successful lead pairs in Tamil cinema of the 1990s through this film.<ref>{{Cite web |last=KR |first=Manigandan |date=14 February 2018 |title=Prabhu and Khushboo, blockbuster pair of the 1990s – Valentine's Day special |url=https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/feb/14/11046 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102001511/https://www.cinestaan.com/articles/2018/feb/14/11046 |archive-date=2 January 2020 |access-date=22 June 2021 |website=Cinestaan}}</ref> The success of the film also led the director, actor and actress to collaborate in another project ''[[Kizhakku Karai]]'' (1991) the following year.<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 September 1991 |title=Kizhakku Karai |page=5 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19910927&printsec=frontpage}}</ref> The film proved to be a breakthrough for playback singer Swarnalatha.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Aishwarya |first=S. |date=12 September 2010 |title=Playback singer Swarnalatha passes away |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Playback-singer-Swarnalatha-passes-away/article15911512.ece |url-status=live |access-date=22 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227203407/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/Playback-singer-Swarnalatha-passes-away/article15911512.ece |archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> After the release, Vasu was conferred "Navarasa Director" award by Amudha Surabhi Kalai Mandram, Madurai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 February 2006 |title=Conferring titles on actors, with a difference |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/conferring-titles-on-actors-with-a-difference/article3172583.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210622081422/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/conferring-titles-on-actors-with-a-difference/article3172583.ece |archive-date=22 June 2021}}</ref>

Kushboo mentioned in an interview, "I am still around only because of ''Chinna Thambi''. None of us imagined it would become the kind of cult film it did. I remember director P. Vasu, hero Prabhu and I were very skeptical about the film while shooting. It was a bold subject at the time, and we thought it would either be a huge flop or a huge hit".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ajith Kumar |first=P.K. |date=27 October 2006 |title=The sign of a winner |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/the-sign-of-a-winner/article3231128.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227132512/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/the-sign-of-a-winner/article3231128.ece |archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref> Prabhu recalled, "People still talk about ''Chinna Thambi'' [...] I still remember my father’s words after the show. "Just as I got a Bhimbsingh, you've got Vasu", he said".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=5 September 2008 |title=Shifting stance |work=[[The Hindu]] |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/shifting-stance/article3023292.ece |url-status=live |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161227131854/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-cinemaplus/shifting-stance/article3023292.ece |archive-date=27 December 2016}}</ref>

== In popular culture ==
Vasu alluded to his film's success in a scene in his later film ''[[Mannan (film)|Mannan]]'' (1992), in which Krishnan ([[Rajinikanth]]) and Muthu ([[Goundamani]]) would be seen rushing in the crowd to buy tickets to watch ''Chinna Thambi''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=L M |first=Kaushik |title=The real beneficiaries from Vishwaroopam's ban |url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-articles/the-real-beneficiaries-from-vishwaroopams-ban-vishwaroopam-kamal-haasan.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160214095608/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-articles/the-real-beneficiaries-from-vishwaroopams-ban-vishwaroopam-kamal-haasan.html |archive-date=14 February 2016 |access-date=23 December 2014 |website=Behindwoods}}</ref> After the film's success, Gobichettipalayam became a shooting hub for many films.<ref name="ie" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0306645|Chinna Thambi}}

{{P. Vasu}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestTamilMovie}}

[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:Tamil films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films directed by P. Vasu]]
[[Category:1990s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic drama films]]

Chinna Thambi - Revision history

Caleb78G9218343: small fix

>Rodw: Disambiguating links to Nepali (link changed to Nepali language) using DisamAssist.