This was decades before VFX. Kamal Haasan shaved his legs, walked on his knees for months, and used forced perspective to appear 3 feet tall. Yet, when he danced to "Chikku Bukku Rayile" (dubbed as "Papa Kehte Hain" in Hindi), he made a dwarf look like the coolest man in the room.
The original film was a massive critical and commercial success. appu raja 1990 hindi movie 111
(originally released in Tamil as Apoorva Sagodharargal ). This film is a landmark in Indian cinema primarily due to incredible triple role, particularly his portrayal of a dwarf. Key Features of Appu Raja (1990) This was decades before VFX