Rajadhi Raja (1989 film)  Rajadhi Raja () is a 1989 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film, directed by R. Sundarrajan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Rajinikanth in a dual role, with Nadhiya and Raadha portraying his characters' love interests. It revolves around Raja, a rich estate owner's son who seeks to avenge his father's death. He is aided in his quest by Chinnarasu, a lookalike. "Rajadhi Raja" was released on 4 March 1989. The film became a box office blockbuster collecting 1.2 crore on the first day beating scholars record and re-established and made Rajinikanth as the permanent leader of the Kollywood box office. A rich estate owner is killed by his second wife and her brother Aadimoolam for his property. The estate owner's son Raja returns from the United States and learns of this. In order to bring the culprits to book, he makes his friend Sethupathi, a rickshaw puller, act as Raja. But soon, Aadimoolam learns of this, kills Sethu and frames Raja as the killer. Raja is sentenced to death. In between, Raja loves Senkamalam, sister of an employee in his estate. In the same village where Raja lives, there exists his lookalike, Chinnaraasu, whose aim in life is to wed his sweetheart Lakshmi. Raja escapes from jail, meets Chinnaraasu and makes Chinnaraasu take his place in jail. After many twist and turns, Raja brings the culprits to book. At the end, Raja marries Senkamalam and Chinnarasu marries Lakshmi. Sundarrajan initially planned to direct "Amman Kovil Kizhakale" with Rajinikanth which did not happen. When Sundarrajan met Panchu Arunachalam who was finding plot for a new project with collaboration of S. P. Muthuraman and Rajinikanth, he narrated the plotline of "Rajathi Raja" which impressed both Rajinikanth and Arunachalam. Rajinikanth insisted Sundarrajan to direct the film who relented after initial rejections to direct the film. The film was produced under Ilaiyaraaja's brother R. D. Bhaskar under their home banner Pavalar Creations.