A Parallel Study of the Character of Karna in Mahabharata and the Character of Karnan in the 2021 Movie Karnan by Mari Selvaraj

Karna from the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata and Karnan from the 2021 Tamil movie Karnan by Mari Selvaraj have a lot in common, even though they are placed in entirely different spheres of time. Both Karna and Karnan are tragic figures who have faced marginalization from society and their peers, embodying the struggle against institutional injustice. This article analyzes the many dimensions of these individuals within a comparative framework, addressing the socio-cultural, ethical, and philosophical factors that shape their actions, motivations, and ultimate fates. This study examines these figures within their own historical contexts, emphasizing how Karna and Karnan, despite being separated by millennia, embody enduring questions of identity, justice, and resistance.