Jantapost at 20:57, 4 April 2026

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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Dharma Durai 1991 poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Rajasekhar (director)|Rajasekhar]]
| screenplay = [[Panchu Arunachalam]]
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Deva (1989 film)|Deva]]''|M. D. Sundar}}
| producer = [[S. Ramanathan (film director)|S. Ramanathan]]<br />[[Shivaram|S. Sivaraman]]
| starring = [[Rajinikanth]]<br />[[Gautami]]
| cinematography = V. Ranga
| editing = Vittal
| music = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| studio = Raasikala Mandhir International
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|1991|1|14}}
| country = India
| language = Tamil
}}

'''''Dharma Durai''''' ({{Translation|Righteous Lord}}){{efn|Also the title character.}} is a 1991 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[action drama film]] directed by [[Rajasekhar (director)|Rajasekhar]] and written by [[Panchu Arunachalam]]. A remake of the 1989 [[Kannada]] film ''[[Deva (1989 film)|Deva]]'', it stars [[Rajinikanth]] and [[Gautami]], with [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]], [[Charan Raj]], [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] and [[Vaishnavi Aravind|Vaishnavi]] in supporting roles. The film revolves around the title character seeking revenge on his younger brothers for taking advantage of his innocence.

Rajasekhar initially began work on a film titled ''Kaalam Maaripochu'' ({{Translation|The Times Have Changed}}) with Rajinikanth starring, but the project was dropped, with the same crew instead deciding to remake ''Deva''. The film was released on 14 January 1991, and emerged a major success, running for over 175 days in theatres. It was the last film directed by Rajasekhar, who died 100 days after its release.

== Plot ==
The story begins with a young couple, Balu and Ishwarya, being chased by some goons. Ishwarya is the daughter of Rajadurai and had eloped with her boyfriend Balu against the wishes of Rajadurai. Rajadurai sends his goons to track down the couple. When the goons finally track down the couple in a forest and start beating up Balu, a man comes to the couple's rescue. When Rajadurai and his brother Ramadurai find out about this man, they rush over to his hideout in the forest, only to escape in fear when they see him. The couple is scared and puzzled as to how the man could induce so much fear in the brothers. The man's wife Parvathi then tells the couple the story of the man, whose name is Dharmadurai.

Dharmadurai was a farmer in the village [[Valliyur]]. He was the elder brother of Rajadurai and Ramadurai. He had showered so much love and affection on his younger brothers and even borrowed {{INR}} 30,000 for their "education", much against his father's wishes, who fully knew that his younger sons were crooked and evil. He even got Rajadurai married to Vaibhavi, a girl whom Rajadurai had raped, to save him from a jail term. The brothers however, showed no sort of affection for Dharmadurai and used his innocence for their sinister desires. Rajadurai convinced Dharmadurai to borrow {{INR}} 6 lakhs so that he could "start a business". Using this money, Rajadurai and Ramadurai moved to [[Chennai|Madras]] and went into smuggling. They later double-crossed their smuggler boss Jose by keeping all the items meant to be smuggled and also lodging a police complaint against his son Ajay for their own benefit and soon became rich due to their illegal activities.

One day, Dharmadurai went to Madras when he heard that Ramadurai was going to get engaged to a rich girl and leave with her for the United States to "pursue higher studies". The brothers did not receive him warmly and humiliated him that evening at a farewell party organised for Ramadurai. Later that night, Ajay, who had been released from jail, entered their house to kill Ramadurai in retaliation for having double-crossed Jose and his gang. Ramadurai killed Ajay and convinced Dharmadurai to take the blame for the murder, who was sentenced to seven years imprisonment as a result. The brothers then got Jose and his henchmen also arrested. While Dharmadurai was in jail, Parvathi gave birth to a baby boy.

A few years later, Rajadurai and Ramadurai decided to sell off their father's house and property to "repay the {{INR}} 6 lakhs Dharmadurai had borrowed". When their father opposed their move, the brothers killed him and drove Parvathi and her son out of the house. With nowhere else to go, Parvathi and her son moved to Madras. The small boy was also eventually killed by Ramadurai when he recognised him as the murderer of his grandfather. With no home, her husband imprisoned and her son dead, a grieving Parvathi took up the job of a housemaid in Madras. Soon, Dharmadurai completed his jail sentence. When he found out about Parvathi's plight and how his brothers had betrayed him, he rushed over to the brothers' house and thrashed them mercilessly, only stopping when their wives intervene. Following this, he disowned them and moved to the forest with Parvathi.

In the present day, Jose and his henchmen get released from jail and kidnap Rajadurai and Ramadurai in retaliation for betraying them. On Parvathi's advice, a reluctant Dharmadurai goes to rescue his brothers. He rescues them, following which they seek his forgiveness, which he accepts.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Rajinikanth]] as Dharmadurai
*[[Gautami]] as Parvathi Dharmadurai
*[[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]] as Pandidurai Thevar
*[[Charan Raj]] as Rajadurai
*[[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as Ramadurai
*[[Shivaram|Sivaraman]] as Jose's uncle (guest appearance)
*[[Vaishnavi Aravind|Vaishnavi]] as Vaidehi
*[[Senthil]] as Alagappan
*[[R. Dilip (Tamil actor)|Dilip]] as Balu
*[[Keerikkadan Jose|Mohan Raj]] as Jose
*[[Ajay Rathnam]] as Ajay
*[[Vennira Aadai Moorthy|Ve. Aadai Moorthy]] as Velappan
}}

== Production ==
The director [[Rajasekhar (director)|Rajasekhar]] initially started a film titled ''Kaalam Maaripochu'', with [[Rajinikanth]], Manjula, [[Ramesh Aravind]] and [[Senthil]] among others starring. After some days of filming, the project and story were dropped. The same crew instead decided to remake the 1989 Kannada film [[Deva (1989 film)|''Deva'']], and the project was titled ''Dharma Durai''.<ref name="dinamalarnellai">{{Cite web |date=31 July 2019 |title=சாதனை புரிந்த தமிழ் படங்கள் – 403 – எஸ்.கணேஷ் |url=http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/75043?fbclid=IwAR1KqawX_vVOrP00oJXrx7dxwbccbHSAUZocWp1f1j4mQuwJsORP_S4WS-g |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20190907155726/http://www.dinamalarnellai.com/web/news/75043?fbclid=IwAR1KqawX_vVOrP00oJXrx7dxwbccbHSAUZocWp1f1j4mQuwJsORP_S4WS-g |archive-date=7 September 2019 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta |location=Nellai}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ramachandran |first=Naman |author-link=Naman Ramachandran |title=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |title-link=Rajinikanth: The Definitive Biography |publisher=[[Penguin Books]] |year=2014 |isbn=978-81-8475-796-5 |location=New Delhi |pages=131 |orig-date=2012}}</ref> The film was already scheduled to release for [[Pongal (festival)|Pongal]] 1991, but production was disrupted due to certain circumstances. To avoid disappointing his fans, Rajinikanth worked continuously for 72 hours to ensure the film was completed and released per schedule.<ref name="dinamalar">{{Cite web |date=8 September 2020 |title=மறக்க முடியுமா? - தர்மதுரை |trans-title=Forgettable? - Dharmadurai |url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/91028/cinema/Kollywood/Marakka-Mudiyuma---Dharmadurai.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021053352/https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/91028/cinema/Kollywood/Marakka-Mudiyuma---Dharmadurai.htm |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=[[Dinamalar]] |language=ta}}</ref> Initially, the role of Pandidurai was supposed to be played by [[Sivaji Ganesan]], but due to health issues, he could not accept the project and suggested [[Madhu (actor)|Madhu]] as his replacement.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pil5Uk-q1oQ |title=A Legend in Conversation {{!}} Padma Shri Madhu {{!}} Jagadhish {{!}} Vellithira |date=31 July 2025 |last=Vellithira KFPA |access-date=13 August 2025 |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
The soundtrack was composed by [[Ilaiyaraaja]]. The lyrics for all the songs were written by [[Panchu Arunachalam]] except "Aanenna Pennena", which was written by [[Gangai Amaran]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darma Dorai Tamil Film LP Vinyl Record by Ilayaraja |url=https://mossymart.com/product/darma-dorai-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021062221/https://mossymart.com/product/darma-dorai-tamil-film-lp-vinyl-record-by-ilayaraja/ |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=Mossymart}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 January 1991 |title=Dharma Durai |url=https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/dharma-durai/HB4K,rxFoeY_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220801131052/https://www.jiosaavn.com/album/dharma-durai/HB4K,rxFoeY_ |archive-date=1 August 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=[[JioSaavn]]}}</ref> The song "Onnu Rendu" is set to the [[raga]] [[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Sankarabharanam]],{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=150}} and "Maasi Maasam" is set to either Agni Kopam,{{Sfn|Sundararaman|2007|p=143}} or [[Shuddha Dhanyasi]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Thaamarai |date=25 March 2011 |title=Maasi Maasam (Dharma Dhurai 1991) |url=https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/maasi-maasam-dharma-dhurai-1991 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240223135246/https://www.tamilguardian.com/content/maasi-maasam-dharma-dhurai-1991 |archive-date=23 February 2024 |access-date=23 February 2024 |website=[[Tamil Guardian]]}}</ref> This song was reused by Ilaiyaraaja as "Enno Ratrulosthayi" in the Telugu film ''[[Dharma Kshetram]]'' (1992),<ref>{{Cite web |last=Karthik |author-link=Karthik Srinivasan |date=4 February 2023 |title=Milliblog Weeklies, Week 209 – February 5, 2023 |url=https://milliblog.com/2023/02/04/milliblog-weeklies-week-209-february-5-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230518044423/https://milliblog.com/2023/02/04/milliblog-weeklies-week-209-february-5-2023/ |archive-date=18 May 2023 |access-date=10 August 2023 |website=[[Milliblog]]}}</ref> which was remixed for the Telugu film ''[[Amigos (film)|Amigos]]'' (2023).<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 January 2023 |title='Enno Ratrulostayi Gani' song remixed for 'Amigos' |url=https://telugucinema.com/news/enno-ratrulostayi-gani-song-remixed-for-amigos |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323133852/https://telugucinema.com/news/enno-ratrulostayi-gani-song-remixed-for-amigos |archive-date=23 March 2023 |access-date=11 July 2023 |website=[[Telugucinema.com]]}}</ref> The original Tamil version was remixed by [[Srikanth Deva]] for ''[[Pandi (film)|Pandi]]'' (2008).<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 May 2008 |title=Pandi audio launched |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pandi-audio-launched/articleshow/3022096.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021061717/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/pandi-audio-launched/articleshow/3022096.cms |archive-date=21 October 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>

{{track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singers
| all_lyrics = [[Panchu Arunachalam]], except where noted
| title1 = Aanenna Pennena
| lyrics1 =
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]]
| length1 = 5:45
| title2 = Annan Enna Thambi Enna
| lyrics2 =
| extra2 = [[K. J. Yesudas]]
| length2 = 5:00
| title3 = Maasi Maasam
| lyrics3 =
| extra3 = K. J. Yesudas, [[Swarnalatha]]
| length3 = 4:59
| title4 = Onnu Rendu
| lyrics4 =
| extra4 = [[Mano (singer)|Mano]], [[S. Janaki]]
| length4 = 4:49
| title5 = Santhaikku Vantha Kili
| lyrics5 =
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, S. Janaki
| length5 = 5:27
| note1 = Lyrics:[[Gangai Amaran]]
| total_length = 26:00
}}

== Release and reception ==
''Dharma Durai'' was released on 14 January 1991, during Pongal.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2020 |title=Baashha to Darbar: Here is a list of Rajinikanth's Pongal releases that turned super hits |url=https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/lifestyle/baashha-to-darbar-here-is-a-list-of-rajinikanth-s-pongal-releases-that-turned-super-hits-q3s7ap |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220326162049/https://newsable.asianetnews.com/gallery/lifestyle/baashha-to-darbar-here-is-a-list-of-rajinikanth-s-pongal-releases-that-turned-super-hits-q3s7ap#image9 |archive-date=26 March 2022 |access-date=21 October 2022 |website=[[Asianet News]]}}</ref> N. Krishnaswamy ''[[The Indian Express]]'' wrote that the film "has sequences that hold water" praising Rajinikanth because he "shows split second timing in delivering comic lines in a good part of the film".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnaswamy |first=N. |date=22 February 1991 |title=Dharmadurai |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=P9oYG7HA76QC&dat=19910222&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |access-date=24 January 2019 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=7 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Sundarji of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' reviewed the film more negatively, criticising the writing and calling it strictly for Rajinikanth's fans.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=சுந்தர்ஜி |date=3 February 1991 |title=தர்மதுரை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1991-02-03/page/n37/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230912053751/https://archive.org/details/kalki1991-02-03/page/n37/mode/2up |archive-date=12 September 2023 |access-date=12 September 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |page=37 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> On the 100th day celebrations, Rajasekhar died in a car accident, making this his last release.<ref name="dinamalar" /> The film ran for over 175 days in theatres,<ref name="dinamalarnellai" /> and became a commercial hit. Gangai Amaran won the Cinema Express Award for Best Lyrics Writer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 1992 |title='Chinnathambhi' bags Cinema Express award |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1432%2C722114 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510080013/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VZBlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lJ4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1432%2C722114 |archive-date=10 May 2024 |access-date=10 May 2024 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |pages=3 |via=[[Google News Archive]]}}</ref>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* {{Cite book |last=Sundararaman |title=Raga Chintamani: A Guide to Carnatic Ragas Through Tamil Film Music |publisher=Pichhamal Chintamani |year=2007 |edition=2nd |oclc=295034757 |orig-date=2005}}

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title}}
*{{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Rajasekhar (director)}}

[[Category:1990s action drama films]]
[[Category:1991 Indian films]]
[[Category:1991 Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:Films about brothers]]
[[Category:Films directed by Rajasekhar (director)]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Panchu Arunachalam]]
[[Category:Indian action drama films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Tamil remakes of Kannada films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action drama films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Dharma Durai (1991 film) - Revision history

Jantapost at 20:57, 4 April 2026