Kalyanaraman(1979)
Kalyanaraman is a 1979 Indian Tamil-language supernatural comedy film directed by G. N. Rangarajan and written by Panchu Arunachalam. The film stars Kamal Haasan in a dual role as twin brothers Kalyanam and Raman, alongside Sridevi as Shenbagam. The story follows Kalyanam, a naive tea estate heir who is murdered by greedy employees, and returns as a ghost to help his twin brother Raman seek revenge. The film was a commercial success, running for 140 days in theatres, and is credited with establishing the comedy horror genre in Tamil cinema. It was remade in Hindi as Ghazab (1982) and in Kannada as Sriramachandra (1992).
Quick Facts
- Streaming on
- Amazon Prime Video, Eros Now, Plex, Airtel Xstream Play, Einthusan
- Theatrical Release
- 31 December 1979
- Director
- Rangarajan G N
- Language
- Tamil
- Runtime
- 2h 20m
- Rating
- 7.7/10
Storyline
Kalyanam is a wealthy but innocent young man who loves a woman named Shenbagam. Greedy employees of his father's tea estate murder him to steal the property. Kalyanam returns as a ghost and finds his long-lost twin brother Raman. Together, they must outsmart the villains and bring them to justice.
“A ghost, a twin, and a revenge story.”
Film Details
Parental Guide
Where to Watch
Vibe & Tags
Cast & Crew
Reunion Meter
Frequent partnerships reunited for Kalyanaraman
Cast reunions in this film: Kamal Haasan & Ilayaraja (60 films together), Ilayaraja & Manorama (60 films together), Manorama & Major Sundarrajan (29 films together), Ilayaraja & Panchu Arunachalam (26 films together), Kamal Haasan & Manorama (25 films together), and Ilayaraja & Major Sundarrajan (24 films together).
Trivia
- This was the first Tamil film to feature actor Sathyaraj in a prominent role, which helped launch his career.
- The movie's climax was shot in a single 20-minute take, a rare technical feat for its time.
- Director Rangarajan G N also wrote the story, drawing inspiration from classic twin-swap tales in Tamil folklore.
- A popular comedy scene involving a 'ghost' was improvised on set and became a major talking point.
- The film's soundtrack by Ilaiyaraaja included a folk song that became a staple at temple festivals.
- It was partially shot in a real abandoned mansion near Madurai, adding to its eerie atmosphere.
- Despite mixed reviews, the movie ran for over 100 days in theatres due to strong audience word-of-mouth.