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Mullum Malarum official poster

Mullum Malarum(1978)

8.3/10
Tamil135 mins

Mullum Malarum (1978) is a 135-minute Tamil film directed by J. Mahendran. Starring Sarath Babu, Rajinikanth and Balu Mahendra. With an audience rating of 8.3/10, Mullum Malarum stands as one of the notable Tamil releases of 1978.

Director:J. Mahendran
Mood:
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Where to watch:
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Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
15 August 1978
Director
J. Mahendran
Language
Tamil
Runtime
2h 15m
GudVibe Rating
8.3/10

Storyline

A young man named Kaali and his sister Valli are very close after being orphaned as kids. Their strong bond gets tested when Kaali repeatedly clashes with a new engineer who comes from the city.

Brotherhood tested by a city outsider.

Film Details

8.3Rating
135Minutes
TamilLanguage
UCertificate
Release Date15 August 1978
Release Typetheatrical

Parental Guide

Violence
Low
Language
Low
Sex / Nudity
Mild
Drugs
Mild
Intensity
Low

Vibe & Tags

Mood
darkemotionalsuspenseful
Themes
familyidentityrevengecorruption
Tonegritty
Pacingslow-burn
Complexitymoderate
Audiencemultiplex
Best Withwith-partner
Violence3
Emotion5
Humor1
Rewatchability4

Reviews & Ratings

Your Rating
8.3/10Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Trivia

  • The film was based on a short story by writer Uma Chandran, which was first published in a Tamil magazine.
  • This was the debut film for director J. Mahendran, who would later be known for his realistic filmmaking style.
  • Actor Rajinikanth, who played Kaali, reportedly performed many of his own stunts, including the famous rope-climbing scene.
  • The film's title, 'Mullum Malarum', translates to 'Thorn and Flower', symbolizing the contrasting elements in life and relationships.
  • Composer Ilaiyaraaja's background score for the film is considered a landmark, with its use of folk and classical motifs.
  • The character Valli was played by actress Shoba, who was noted for her natural performance in her first major Tamil role.
  • The film's climax was shot in the hilly regions of Kodaikanal, with the crew facing challenging weather conditions during production.

Notable Collaborations

Frequent partnerships reunited in Mullum Malarum

Frequently Asked Questions