Kanchana is a Tamil horror-comedy film that blends supernatural elements with comedy, family emotions and revenge. Released in 2011, the movie was written and directed by Raghava Lawrence, who also plays the central character Raghava. The film is also known as Muni 2: Kanchana and is the second installment in the Muni film series.
The cast of Kanchana includes Raghava Lawrence, R. Sarathkumar, Raai Laxmi, Kovai Sarala, Devadarshini, Sriman, Devan and Babu Antony in important roles. The movie became particularly notable for R. Sarathkumar’s performance as Kanchana and Raghava Lawrence’s combination of acting, direction and choreography.
Kanchana Movie Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie Name | Kanchana |
| Original Title | Kanchana: Muni 2 |
| Also Known As | Muni 2: Kanchana |
| Language | Tamil |
| Genre | Horror, Comedy |
| Release Year | 2011 |
| Theatrical Release | July 2011 |
| Director | Raghava Lawrence |
| Writer | Raghava Lawrence |
| Lead Actor | Raghava Lawrence |
| Lead Character | Raghava |
| Main Antagonistic Force | Kanchana / Ghost |
| Producer | Raghava Lawrence, N. Radha |
| Production Companies | Raghavendra Productions, Sri Thenandal Films |
| Music Composer | S. Thaman |
| Cinematography | E. Krishnasamy, Vetri Palanisamy |
| Editor | Mu. Kasivishwanathan, Kishore Te |
| Action Coordinator | Dhilip Subbarayan |
| Art Director | Jana |
| Original Language | Tamil |
| Runtime | Approximately 171 minutes |
What Is Kanchana?
Kanchana follows Raghava, a young man who is extremely frightened of ghosts and avoids going outside after dark. His fear becomes even more complicated when he and his friends decide to play cricket at an abandoned location believed to be haunted.
After supernatural events begin affecting Raghava, his behaviour changes dramatically. The story gradually reveals that several restless spirits are connected to a painful past involving injustice and revenge.
The movie uses Raghava’s fear as a major source of comedy in the early part of the story before moving toward a more serious supernatural revenge narrative. This mixture of humour, horror and emotion became one of the defining characteristics of the film.
The central supernatural character is Kanchana, portrayed by R. Sarathkumar. The character’s backstory gives the movie an emotional dimension and transforms the narrative from a conventional ghost story into a tale involving discrimination, violence and revenge.
Kanchana Release Date
Kanchana was released theatrically in July 2011. Major film databases list 22 July 2011 as the Tamil theatrical release date, while some records distinguish between different regional and dubbed releases.
The movie was released as the second installment in Raghava Lawrence’s Muni series. It continued the supernatural theme established in the earlier film while introducing a new central ghost story.
Director of Kanchana
Raghava Lawrence directed Kanchana and also wrote the film. His involvement extended beyond directing because he also played the protagonist Raghava and contributed to the choreography and lyrics.
| Director | Credit |
|---|---|
| Raghava Lawrence | Director |
| Raghava Lawrence | Writer |
| Raghava Lawrence | Actor |
| Raghava Lawrence | Choreographer |
Writer of Kanchana
The screenplay and story were written by Raghava Lawrence. The film’s narrative moves between comedy, family drama, supernatural horror and revenge.
| Writer | Credit |
|---|---|
| Raghava Lawrence | Writer |
| Raghava Lawrence | Screenplay |
| Raghava Lawrence | Story |
Cast of Kanchana
The cast of Kanchana combines established Tamil performers with actors known for comedy, character roles and dramatic performances.
Raghava Lawrence leads the film as Raghava, while R. Sarathkumar plays the title character Kanchana. Raai Laxmi appears as Priya, and Kovai Sarala plays Raghava’s mother. Devadarshini, Sriman, Devan and Babu Antony also have important roles in the story.
Main Cast of Kanchana
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Raghava Lawrence | Raghava | Lead |
| R. Sarathkumar | Kanchana / Karthik | Central Supernatural Character |
| Raai Laxmi | Priya | Female Lead |
| Kovai Sarala | Raghava’s Mother / Vatsala | Supporting |
| Devadarshini | Kamakshi | Supporting |
| Sriman | Prasad | Supporting |
| Devan | MLA Shankar | Antagonistic Character |
| Babu Antony | Akbar Bhai | Supporting |
| Manobala | Fake Swami | Comic Supporting Role |
| Mayilsamy | Fake Swami | Comic Supporting Role |
| Jasper | Baba | Supporting |
The principal cast and character names are reflected in the film’s published full-credit records.
Supporting Cast of Kanchana
Beyond the principal performers, the movie includes several supporting actors who contribute to individual storylines and the supernatural backstory.
| Actor | Character | Role Type |
|---|---|---|
| Devan | MLA Shankar | Supporting / Antagonistic |
| Babu Antony | Akbar Bhai | Supporting |
| Manobala | Fake Swami 1 | Comic Supporting |
| Mayilsamy | Fake Swami 2 | Comic Supporting |
| Jasper | Baba | Supporting |
| Priya | Krishnan / Geetha | Supporting |
| Sarvesh Rao | Young Geetha | Supporting |
| Munnar Ramesh | Manickam | Supporting |
| Sampath Ram | Raja | Supporting |
| Minnal Deepa | Muslim Priest’s Daughter | Supporting |
| Boys Rajan | School Headmaster | Supporting |
| Rangammal | Supporting Role | Supporting |
The expanded character list is reflected in available published cast records for the film.
Key Characters in Kanchana
Raghava Lawrence as Raghava
Raghava Lawrence plays Raghava, the central protagonist of the film. Raghava is portrayed as a young man who is extremely frightened of ghosts and prefers spending time with his friends rather than taking unnecessary risks.
His fear becomes a major source of comedy during the opening portion of the movie. However, the character’s situation changes after supernatural forces begin affecting him.
Raghava’s performance requires a considerable change in tone because the character moves from comic fear to intense supernatural possession. Lawrence uses physical comedy, exaggerated reactions and emotional scenes to make the transformation noticeable.
R. Sarathkumar as Kanchana
R. Sarathkumar plays Kanchana, the character whose tragic past becomes central to the film’s supernatural storyline.
Kanchana is not presented simply as a conventional horror villain. The character is connected with injustice and revenge, giving the supernatural events a strong emotional foundation.
Sarathkumar’s performance is particularly important because the character requires a very different physical and emotional presentation from the other roles in the film. His appearance as Kanchana became one of the movie’s most memorable aspects.
Raai Laxmi as Priya
Raai Laxmi, credited in some records as Lakshmi Rai, plays Priya, Raghava’s love interest. Priya provides a romantic and emotional component to the story.
Her character is also connected to Kamakshi, creating a family relationship that links the female characters with Raghava’s household.
The role gives Raai Laxmi opportunities to participate in both lighter romantic scenes and the supernatural developments that dominate the latter part of the film.
Kovai Sarala as Raghava’s Mother
Kovai Sarala plays Raghava’s mother. Her character is an important source of the film’s comedy, particularly because of her interactions with Raghava and the rest of the family.
Kovai Sarala’s comic timing helps establish the lighter atmosphere of the movie before the supernatural storyline becomes more prominent.
Her performance also contributes to the family-oriented side of the narrative and gives Raghava’s character a stronger domestic background.
Devadarshini as Kamakshi
Devadarshini plays Kamakshi, Raghava’s sister-in-law and Priya’s elder sister.
Kamakshi is part of Raghava’s family environment and becomes involved in the situations surrounding the supernatural events.
Devadarshini balances the character’s everyday family interactions with the increasingly frightening developments that take place around Raghava.
Sriman as Prasad
Sriman plays Prasad, Raghava’s elder brother and Kamakshi’s husband.
Prasad is part of the family group surrounding Raghava. His presence contributes to the film’s domestic comedy and family interactions.
The character also helps establish the relationships within Raghava’s household before the supernatural events take over the story.
Devan as MLA Shankar
Devan plays MLA Shankar, an important antagonist connected to the film’s central conflict.
The character represents the powerful side of the story’s injustice and is connected to the events that ultimately lead to the supernatural revenge plot.
His role becomes particularly important as the film reveals the history behind Kanchana and the other spirits.
Babu Antony as Akbar Bhai
Babu Antony appears as Akbar Bhai. His character is connected with the larger conflict surrounding Raghava and the supernatural storyline.
Babu Antony’s presence gives the film another experienced performer in an action-oriented supporting role.
Manobala as Fake Swami
Manobala plays one of the fake swamis in the movie. His character contributes to the comic side of the supernatural story.
The fake-swami sequence provides a humorous contrast to the genuine supernatural events taking place around Raghava.
Mayilsamy as Fake Swami
Mayilsamy plays another fake swami. Like Manobala’s character, his role contributes to the comedy surrounding attempts to deal with the supernatural situation.
His performance adds additional comic relief to the film’s horror-driven narrative.
Kanchana and the Muni Film Series
Kanchana is the second installment in the Muni film series created by Raghava Lawrence. The movie continues the supernatural-horror theme established in Muni while introducing a separate story and new characters.
The film later became the foundation for a broader Kanchana franchise, with subsequent films continuing the supernatural-comedy format.
Producers of Kanchana
The film’s production was associated with Raghava Lawrence and N. Radha. Raghava Lawrence produced the movie under his production banner, while N. Radha was also credited as producer.
| Producer | Credit |
|---|---|
| Raghava Lawrence | Producer |
| N. Radha | Producer |
| Raghavendra Productions | Production Banner |
| Sri Thenandal Films | Production / Distribution |
The available full-credit records identify Raghava Lawrence and N. Radha as producers.
Cinematographers of Kanchana
The cinematography of Kanchana was handled by E. Krishnasamy and Vetri Palanisamy, who are credited as directors of photography in the full production records.
| Cinematographer | Credit |
|---|---|
| E. Krishnasamy | Director of Photography |
| Vetri Palanisamy | Director of Photography |
Their work helps the film move between ordinary family environments, comic sequences and darker supernatural scenes.
Editors of Kanchana
The editing team included Mu. Kasivishwanathan and Kishore Te. Their work was important in maintaining the film’s shifts between comedy, horror, family drama and action.
| Editor | Credit |
|---|---|
| Mu. Kasivishwanathan | Editor |
| Kishore Te | Editor |
The full-credit listing identifies both editors.
Art Director of Kanchana
The art direction was handled by Jana, who helped create the physical environments required for the film’s family, supernatural and action sequences.
| Art Director | Credit |
| Jana | Art Director |
Second Unit Directors and Assistant Directors
The assistant direction team supported Raghava Lawrence during the production of the film.
| Name | Credit |
| V. Elamaran | Assistant Director |
| R. Eswar | Assistant Director |
| P. Nagesh Kumar | Assistant Director |
| S. Manivarma | Assistant Director |
These assistant directors are listed in the film’s full production credits.
Sound Department
The sound team was responsible for creating the audio environment needed for the film’s comedy, dialogue, supernatural scenes and action sequences.
| Name | Credit |
| M. Sarvanakumar | Re-recording Mixer |
| Sound Department | Dialogue and Effects |
| Post-Production Sound Team | Final Audio |
M. Sarvanakumar is specifically credited as recording mixer.
Visual Effects
Visual effects played an important role in presenting the supernatural elements of the film.
| Name | Credit |
| Praveen D | Visual Effects Artist – 3D Generalist |
| Praveen Damodaran | VFX Supervisor |
| Jobin Jacob | Visual Effects Artist |
| John Thomas Stalin | Digital Compositor / Digital Matte Painting Artist |
The film’s full-credit listing includes these visual-effects personnel.
Stunts and Action Department
Action sequences were coordinated by Dhilip Subbarayan, who is credited as the action coordinator.
| Name | Credit |
| Dhilip Subbarayan | Action Coordinator |
| Stunt Team | Action Sequences |
The action department supported the film’s physical confrontations and supernatural sequences.
Animation Department
The production also included animation work associated with John Thomas Stalin.
| Name | Credit |
| John Thomas Stalin | Animator |
| Animation Team | Animation Support |
Music Department
The music of Kanchana was composed by S. Thaman, whose soundtrack helped establish the film’s energetic combination of comedy, horror and emotion.
Raghava Lawrence also contributed lyrics, while Vivega and Velmurugan were among the lyricists associated with the soundtrack.
| Name | Credit |
| S. Thaman | Music Composer |
| Raghava Lawrence | Lyricist |
| Vivega | Lyricist |
| Velmurugan | Lyricist |
| Shadab Rayeen | Audio Final Mix / Music Mixer and Master |
Choreography Department
Raghava Lawrence, who is widely associated with dance choreography, also handled choreography for the film.
| Name | Credit |
| Raghava Lawrence | Choreographer |
| Dance Team | Supporting Choreography |
The full-credit listing identifies Lawrence as the choreographer.
Color Department
The color-finishing work was handled by M. Arunkumar, who is credited as the colorist.
| Name | Credit |
| M. Arunkumar | Colorist |
| Color Department | Digital Color Finishing |
Voice Actors and Dubbing
Kanchana was later presented to audiences in dubbed versions. The Hindi dubbing credits include several voice performers for the principal characters.
| Voice Actor | Character | Language |
| Parrineeta Chatterjee | Raghava’s Mom | Hindi |
| Sumit Kaul | Raghava’s Brother | Hindi |
| Balvinder Kaur | Raghava’s Sister-in-law | Hindi |
| Sanket Mhatre | Raghava | Hindi |
| Manoj Pandey | Kanchana | Hindi |
| Toshi Sinha | Priya | Hindi |
An additional Hindi dubbing team was led by Abulhasan Ansari, who is credited as Hindi dubbing director.
Additional Crew
Several other professionals contributed to the film’s production, post-production and language adaptation.
| Name | Credit |
| Abulhasan Ansari | Hindi Dubbing Director |
| Shadab Rayeen | Audio Final Mix |
| John Thomas Stalin | Digital Compositing |
| M. Arunkumar | Colorist |
| Dhilip Subbarayan | Action Coordinator |
| Raghava Lawrence | Choreography |
| V. Elamaran | Assistant Director |
| R. Eswar | Assistant Director |
| P. Nagesh Kumar | Assistant Director |
| S. Manivarma | Assistant Director |
Music and Technical Details
The technical team of Kanchana brought together experienced professionals from cinematography, editing, music, art direction, sound, action and visual effects.
| Technical Category | Details |
| Director | Raghava Lawrence |
| Writer | Raghava Lawrence |
| Producers | Raghava Lawrence, N. Radha |
| Music | S. Thaman |
| Cinematography | E. Krishnasamy, Vetri Palanisamy |
| Editing | Mu. Kasivishwanathan, Kishore Te |
| Art Direction | Jana |
| Action | Dhilip Subbarayan |
| Choreography | Raghava Lawrence |
| Sound Mixing | M. Sarvanakumar |
| VFX Supervisor | Praveen Damodaran |
| Colorist | M. Arunkumar |
The principal technical credits are supported by the film’s published full-credit record.
Why the Cast of Kanchana Is Special
The biggest strength of the cast of Kanchana is the contrast between its performers. Raghava Lawrence handles the comic and fearful side of Raghava, while R. Sarathkumar delivers a dramatically different performance as the supernatural Kanchana.
Kovai Sarala and Sriman provide much of the family comedy, while Devadarshini and Raai Laxmi contribute to the emotional and romantic side of the story. This combination keeps the film from becoming a straightforward horror movie.
The supporting performers also play an important role. Manobala and Mayilsamy add comic relief, while Devan and Babu Antony contribute to the more serious conflict.
Another notable feature is Raghava Lawrence’s multiple responsibilities. He was not only the lead actor but also the writer, director, producer and choreographer. This gave the movie a consistent creative identity.
Horror and Comedy in Kanchana
Kanchana is built around the unusual combination of fear and humour. Raghava’s character is introduced as someone who is frightened of ghosts, which creates several comedic situations.
As the supernatural story develops, the tone gradually becomes darker. The ghosts are connected with painful events from their past, turning the film’s horror elements into a revenge narrative.
This tonal transition is one of the reasons the cast is so important. The performers need to move naturally between exaggerated comedy, family drama, fear and emotional scenes.
Kanchana’s Supporting Characters
The supporting characters help reveal the larger story behind the supernatural events. Priya provides Raghava with an emotional connection, while Kamakshi and Prasad establish his family environment.
MLA Shankar becomes important to the conflict surrounding Kanchana, while Akbar Bhai and the other supporting characters expand the story beyond Raghava’s immediate family.
The fake swamis, played by Manobala and Mayilsamy, provide comic relief at a time when the characters are attempting to understand or control the supernatural situation.
Awards and Recognition
Kanchana received attention for its combination of horror and comedy and became commercially successful. The film’s performance and distinctive supernatural-comedy format helped establish it as an important entry in Raghava Lawrence’s Muni franchise.
Published film records also list multiple award wins associated with the movie.
The movie’s popularity also helped the franchise continue with later installments, making Kanchana one of the more recognizable supernatural characters in contemporary Tamil popular cinema.
Conclusion
The cast of Kanchana is one of the major reasons the 2011 film continues to attract attention. Raghava Lawrence leads the movie as Raghava, a fearful young man whose life changes after becoming connected with supernatural forces.
R. Sarathkumar’s portrayal of Kanchana gives the film its emotional and dramatic centre. Raai Laxmi, Kovai Sarala, Devadarshini and Sriman strengthen the family and romantic portions, while Devan and Babu Antony contribute to the conflict.
The supporting performers, including Manobala, Mayilsamy, Jasper and others, add comedy and character depth. Behind the actors, the film benefited from a technical team that included composer S. Thaman, cinematographers E. Krishnasamy and Vetri Palanisamy, editors Mu. Kasivishwanathan and Kishore Te, and action coordinator Dhilip Subbarayan.
What makes Kanchana particularly distinctive is the way its cast handles multiple tones. The movie can move from comedy to horror and from family drama to revenge without abandoning its central characters. That combination became a defining feature of the film and helped establish the Kanchana name within the wider Muni franchise.
FAQs
Who is the main actor in Kanchana?
Raghava Lawrence is the main actor in Kanchana. He plays the character Raghava and also directed and wrote the film.
Who played Kanchana in the movie?
R. Sarathkumar played the title character Kanchana. His portrayal is one of the most important performances in the film.
Who played Priya in Kanchana?
Raai Laxmi, also credited as Lakshmi Rai, played Priya, Raghava’s love interest.
Who played Raghava’s mother in Kanchana?
Kovai Sarala played Raghava’s mother. Her character provides several of the movie’s comic and family-oriented moments.
Who played Kamakshi in Kanchana?
Devadarshini played Kamakshi, Raghava’s sister-in-law and Priya’s elder sister.
Who played Prasad in Kanchana?
Sriman played Prasad, Raghava’s elder brother and Kamakshi’s husband.
Who played MLA Shankar in Kanchana?
Devan played MLA Shankar, an important character connected to the film’s central conflict.
Who played Akbar Bhai in Kanchana?
Babu Antony played Akbar Bhai in the film.
Who directed Kanchana?
Raghava Lawrence directed Kanchana. He also wrote the film and played the lead role.
Who wrote Kanchana?
Raghava Lawrence wrote the film. The available full-credit listing identifies him as the writer.
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