Raja Rani () is a 2013 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Atlee, and produced by A. R. Murugadoss. The film stars Arya, Jai, Nayanthara and Nazriya Nazim, while Santhanam, Sathyan and Sathyaraj appear in supporting roles. It follows a couple who are reluctantly married, and slowly fall in love after learning of each other's past.

Raja Rani is the feature directorial debut of Atlee. Filming began in October 2012 and ended in August 2013. The film was released on 27 September 2013 and became a commercial blockbuster success. It won several accolades, including four Tamil Nadu State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South from four nominations. The film was remade in Bengali as Shudhu Tomari Jonyo (2015), and in Sinhala as Sihinayaki Adare (2024).

Plot John and Regina enter an arranged marriage solely to appease their respective parents. They live together as estranged roommates in their apartment, with John deliberately returning home intoxicated every night to alienate Regina, who responds by applying for a corporate transfer to Australia. Their routine is disrupted when Regina suddenly suffers an epileptic seizure. At the hospital, John's inebriated state leaves him unable to provide the medical team with her basic health history. Rebuked by the attending physician for his negligence, a sobered John later questions Regina about her condition, prompting her to reveal her past.

During her college years, Regina was in a deeply committed relationship with Surya, a call centre employee who was subsequently selected for airline crew training in the United States (US). Facing fierce opposition from Surya's father, the couple planned a secret registry wedding before his departure. However, Surya failed to appear at the registrar's office. Regina and her supportive father, James, visited Surya's residence only to discover that he had already departed for the US. Shortly thereafter, Surya's friend Aiyappan informed Regina that Surya had committed suicide, a shock that triggered her very first epileptic seizure. Three years later, wanting to alleviate her father's lingering guilt and distress over her prolonged grief, Regina finally agreed to the marriage proposal from John's family.

Moved by her vulnerability, John develops a profound respect for Regina, though she remains emotionally distant. To bridge the widening gap, John's best friend, Sarathy, steps in to share John's past with Regina. Years prior, John had fallen in love with a young woman named Keerthana. Despite an initial rejection, Keerthana eventually reciprocated his affection, and the two were wed. However, Keerthana was killed in a car accident the morning after their wedding. Devastated by witnessing her death, John vowed never to remarry, spending four years in isolation until Sarathy finally convinced him to give life a second chance, resulting in his marriage to Regina.

Learning of John's loss, Regina develops genuine feelings for him, yet both remain too hesitant to confess their mutual affection. On John's birthday, Regina presents him with a personal gift, which John quietly discards under the bed, mistakenly assuming it is a superficial gesture meant only to appease James. Misunderstandings escalate further when Regina's Australian transfer is approved. When she attempts to connect with him on the terrace, John misinterprets her words as a prelude to an amicable divorce. A heartbroken Regina prepares to leave, and John drives her to the airport the following morning.

At the terminal, Regina spots Surya at the immigration counter and alerts John. Seeking to secure her happiness, John rushes inside to confront Surya, urging him to take Regina back. Surya reveals the truth: his father had coerced his departure, and he had intentionally faked his suicide through Aiyappan so Regina could move on with her life. Although Surya claims to John that he is now happily married, he secretly retains a ring gifted by Regina, resolving to live alone with her memory.

When John returns to Regina, she angrily rebukes him, explaining that she has long outgrown her past and is entirely in love with him. She prompts him to open her discarded birthday gift, which contains a note reading, "Let's begin our life." John finally confesses his love. Regina playfully references an inside romantic joke from John's past with Keerthana, confirming her complete understanding and acceptance of his history. The couple reconciles.

Cast

Production Development

Raja Rani marked the feature directorial debut of Atlee, an assistant director to Shankar. The film was produced by A. R. Murugadoss, has art direction by T. Muthuraj and cinematography by debutant George C. Williams, a former associate of Nirav Shah.

Casting and filming Arya and Nayanthara were signed on as the lead pair, reuniting after Boss Engira Bhaskaran (2010). Atlee initially wanted Sivakarthikeyan to portray the role that eventually went Jai. Nani said he was considered for Arya's role, but he did not have the dates, while Asin was in Atlee’s mind to play the role that eventually went to Nayanthara who announced a comeback. Nazriya Nazim announced her inclusion in May 2013 after unsuccessful discussions with Priya Anand. Sathyaraj said he accepted to act in the film because he liked the modernity of the script.

The first filming schedule began in October 2012 at a bungalow in Greams Road, Chennai. Kamal Haasan switched on the camera and a song picturising Jai and Nayanthara was canned on the occasion. Arya was not present for the schedule as he was filming for Settai (2013) in Mumbai. Filming also took place in East Coast Road, in a Kerala-themed house. The scene depicting the marriage of Arya and Nayanthara's characters was shot at St Mary's Church in Pune. This was the only part shot outside Chennai. Filming wrapped in August 2013.

Themes and influences Critics have noted that the film draws similarities and inspirations from Tamil films like Nenjathai Killathe (1980), Mouna Ragam (1986) and the Kannada film Milana (2007).

Soundtrack The soundtrack album for Raja Rani was composed by G. V. Prakash Kumar. A single "Hey Baby" was released on 19 August 2013. The complete album was released on 23 August 2013 at Sathyam Cinemas, Chennai.

Marketing and release A first official film teaser showing the lead pair quarrelling through their projections in a mirror, was released on 11 May 2013 by Fox Star Studios. The teaser went instantly viral garnering a large number of views. The official trailer was released along with the music album on 23 August 2013. The film was released on 27 September 2013. It was distributed by Fox Star Studios, the third of a three-film deal with Murugadoss.

Reception Critical response S Saraswathi of Rediff.com rated the film 3/5 and stated, "Debutant director Atlee's Raja Rani is a simple refreshing tale about how to cope with life, when we lose someone we love. The film has a lot going for it and definitely succeeds in entertaining the audience." M Suganth from The Times of India gave 3 stars out of 5 and wrote "The film does leave you exhausted by the time it ends. Still, it remains always watchable, mainly because the director, like his mentor Shankar, embraces his old school storytelling methods with conviction". Sudhish Kamath of The Hindu cited "Atlee's promising debut Raja Rani merits a watch in spite of its fundamentally flawed structure".

In contrast, Gautaman Bhaskaran of Hindustan Times rated it 2 stars and said, "At a little over 150 minutes, Raja Rani is a bumpy ride with potholes of songs, with characters who are nothing better than caricatures and with a romance that hardly engages". Sify too gave an unfavourable review stating, "Debutant director Atlee's highly hyped Raja Rani starts off promisingly and keeps us engaged in the first half. But post-interval it loses steam, and turns out to be a cheesy, emotionally manipulative drama with a predictable long drawn out climax that goes on and on for 35 minutes".

Box office

Raja Rani earned approximately worldwide on its first day, with from Tamil Nadu alone. It was number one at the Chennai box office during its opening weekend. The film eventually emerged a huge success after earning over worldwide as of mid-November.

Accolades Ceremony Category Nominee ResultTamil Nadu State Film AwardsBest ActorAryaBest ActressNayantharaBest Dialogue WriterAtleeBest ComedianSathyan Edison Awards Best Actress Nayanthara Best Debut Director Atlee Best Background ScoreG. V. Prakash Kumar8th Vijay Awards Favourite HeroineNayanthara Best Actress Best Debut Director Atlee Best Story, Screenplay Writer Best Dialogue Favourite Song Best Music Director Best Background Score Best Best Supporting Actor Sathyaraj Favourite Film Best Cinematographer George C. Williams Best Editor Anthony L. Ruben Best Art Director T. Muthuraj Best Make Up Best Costume Designer61st Filmfare Awards SouthBest Actress NayantharaBest Supporting Actor JaiBest Supporting Actor SathyarajBest Supporting Actress Nazriya Nazim 3rd South Indian International Movie AwardsSIIMA Awards for Best Tamil Actress NayantharaBest Actor Supporting Role Male JaiBest Music Director G. V. Prakash Kumar Best Debut Director AtleeBest Film

Remakes Raja Rani was remade in Bengali as Shudhu Tomari Jonyo (2015), and in Sinhala as Sihinayaki Adare (2024).

In other media The scene where John (Arya) marries Regina (Nayanthara) was spoofed in the director's own Bigil (2019). In that film, Angel (Nayanthara) refuses to marry John (Abi Saravanan) and instead falls for Michael (Vijay).

References

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