Cast
View All
Rajinikanth
as Raghavendra Swami
Lakshmi
as Saraswati Bai
Vishnuvardhan
as Sri Yogenthra Tirtha
Sathyaraj
as Maqbool Khan
Delhi Ganesh
as Appanacharya
Major Sundarrajan
as King of Tanjavore
Somayajulu J V
as Sri Sudeendrar
Y. G. Mahendran
as Guru Sri Sudeendrar's disciple
Thengai Srinivasan
as Priest
Poornam Viswanathan
as Devotee
Venniradai Moorthy
as
Senthamarai
as Tamil Poet
Janagaraj
as Guru Sri Sudeendrar's disciple
K R Vijaya
as Devi Saraswathy
V. S. Raghavan
as Srinivasacharya Devotee
Crew
Director
- S. P. Muthuraman
Producer
- K. Balachander
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Sri Raghavendrar examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director S. P. Muthuraman brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1985, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Sri Raghavendrar took approximately 5 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 153 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 213 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 6 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The film contains approximately 1085 individual shots.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
Historical Context
- In 1985, when this film was released:
- Economic policies were shifting toward deregulation in many Western countries.
- The Cold War was entering its final phase.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: September 1, 1985
- Runtime: 2h 33m