Chinna Vathiyar
A 1995 Tamil sci-fi comedy about soul-swapping.
Chinna Vathiyar (meaning "Young Teacher") is a 1995 Tamil-language science fiction comedy from India. It was both written and directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao. The cast includes Prabhu in two roles, alongside Khushbu, Ranjitha, Goundamani, Senthil, and Nizhalgal Ravi. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali. The comedic subplot draws from Crazy Mohan's play *Madhu +2*. The film performed well at the box office.
The plot follows Professor Chandramouli, who experiments with transferring souls between bodies. He is married to Janaki and works with a bright student named Aravind. After an experiment swaps their souls, both face awkward situations with their respective partners. Meanwhile, a wealthy womanizer named Baba kidnaps the professor's favorite student and sells her to a gang. The soul-swapped professor and Aravind rescue her, and Baba flees from police. Learning of the professor's soul-changing medicine, Baba later ambushes them at a cemetery. The professor's soul is corrected, but Aravind's soul ends up in a cat. Baba knocks out the professor, swaps his own soul into Aravind's body, and throws the cat into a well before escaping with the medicine. The new Aravind behaves badly until the professor realizes the switch. He eventually finds the medicine hidden in a worshipped anthill. After a series of events, Aravind's soul is freed from the cat, and Baba's soul is trapped inside a chicken.
The film was originally titled *Professor*, but the name was changed to appeal to Tamil audiences. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali. Over time, *Chinna Vathiyar* gained a cult following in Tamil cinema, largely due to the comedy track featuring Senthil and Goundamani.
- release_year
- 1995
- language
- Tamil
- genre
- science fiction comedy
- director
- Singeetam Srinivasa Rao
- music_composer
- Ilaiyaraaja
- lyricist
- Vaali
- box_office
- successful
Lore & Background
The story revolves around a professor named Chandramouli, who experiments on transferring the soul from one body to another. Professor Chandramouli is married to Janaki. He gets help from a bright student named Aravind. The two souls are transferred, causing discomfort to both parties and their girls. Meanwhile, a wealthy girl-abuser named Baba takes the professor's favourite student and sells her to a gang. The soul-changed professor and Aravind rescue her, and Baba flees from the police.
Baba learns of the miracle medicine that changes souls. When the soul-changed professor and Aravind go to a cemetery to correct their souls, the professor gets changed, but Aravind's soul goes into a cat. Baba hits the professor and changes his own soul into Aravind's body. The cat with Aravind's soul is put into a nearby well, and Baba flees with the medicine. The new Aravind behaves differently and misbehaves. The professor eventually finds the medicine hidden in a worshipped anthill. After a series of events, Aravind's soul is released from the cat, and Baba's soul is trapped within a chicken.
Reader's Guide
Chinna Vathiyar is notable as a Tamil science fiction comedy that blends soul-swapping with slapstick humor. The film was initially titled Professor, but the title was changed to appeal to Tamil-speaking audiences. Its comedy subplot was inspired by Crazy Mohan's play Madhu +2. The film attained cult status in Tamil cinema specifically for the Senthil-Goundamani comedy track, which remains a highlight. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with lyrics by Vaali. The film's success at the box office and its enduring popularity among fans of Tamil comedy make it a reference point for genre-blending films of the mid-1990s.
Did You Know?
- The film was initially titled Professor before being changed to Chinna Vathiyar.
- The comedy subplot was inspired by Crazy Mohan's play Madhu +2.
- Prabhu plays a dual role in the film.
- The film attained cult status in Tamil cinema for the Senthil-Goundamani comedy track.
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