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Kalai Arasi official poster

Kalai Arasi(1963)

7.3/10
Tamil•123 mins•theatrical•

'Kalai Arasi' (1963) is a Tamil-language science fiction film directed by A. Kasilingam. The film stars M. G. Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi in dual roles. The story follows a farmer named Mohan whose lover Vani is kidnapped by aliens from a planet lacking performing arts. The film features a spacecraft, alien characters, and interplanetary travel. It was the first Indian film to depict extraterrestrial beings visiting Earth. The music was composed by K. V. Mahadevan. The film was released on 19 April 1963 by Emgeeyar Pictures.

Director:A. Kasilingam
Mood:
funnyupliftingwhimsical
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Where to watch:
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Quick Facts

Theatrical Release
18 April 1963
Director
A. Kasilingam
Language
Tamil
Runtime
2h 3m
Rating
7.3/10

Storyline

A simple farmer named Mohan falls in love with Vani, a talented singer. Aliens from a planet without art kidnap Vani to teach their people. Mohan must travel to space, outsmart the aliens, and bring her back home before a greedy cousin steals her fortune.

“The first Indian film with aliens!”

Film Details

7.3Rating
123Minutes
TamilLanguage
UCertificate
Release Date18 April 1963
Release Typetheatrical

Parental Guide

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

Vibe & Tags

Mood
funnyupliftingwhimsical
Themes
lovefriendshipidentity
Tonewhimsical
Pacingepisodic
Complexitylight
Audiencefamily
Best Withfamily
Violence1
Emotion2
Humor4
Rewatchability3

Cast & Crew

#1
Sachu, Actor in Kalai Arasi
SachuActor
→#2
B
BhanumathiActor
→#3
Rajasree, Actor in Kalai Arasi
RajasreeActor
→#4
M. N. Nambiar, Actor in Kalai Arasi
M. N. NambiarActor
→#5
P. S. Veerappa, Actor in Kalai Arasi
P. S. VeerappaActor
→#6
M. G. Ramachandran, Actor in Kalai Arasi
M. G. RamachandranActor
→#7
K. V. Mahadevan, Music Composer in Kalai Arasi
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
→#8
A
A. KasilingamDirector
→#9
S
Sarodi BrothersProducer
→
#10
T
T. E. GnanamurthyCrew
→

Reunion Meter

Frequent partnerships reunited for Kalai Arasi

Cast reunions in this film: M. N. Nambiar & M. G. Ramachandran (37 films together), K. V. Mahadevan & M. G. Ramachandran (31 films together), M. N. Nambiar & K. V. Mahadevan (12 films together), K. V. Mahadevan & Rajasree (10 films together), M. G. Ramachandran & P. S. Veerappa (7 films together), and M. N. Nambiar & P. S. Veerappa (5 films together).

M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
37th time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
M. N. Nambiar × M. G. Ramachandran — 37 films together →
K. V. Mahadevan
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
31st time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
K. V. Mahadevan × M. G. Ramachandran — 31 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
12th time
K. V. Mahadevan
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
M. N. Nambiar × K. V. Mahadevan — 12 films together →
K. V. Mahadevan
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
10th time
Rajasree
RajasreeActor
K. V. Mahadevan × Rajasree — 10 films together →
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
7th time
P. S. Veerappa
P. S. VeerappaActor
M. G. Ramachandran × P. S. Veerappa — 7 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
5th time
P. S. Veerappa
P. S. VeerappaActor
M. N. Nambiar × P. S. Veerappa — 5 films together →
K. V. Mahadevan
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
5th time
P. S. Veerappa
P. S. VeerappaActor
K. V. Mahadevan × P. S. Veerappa — 5 films together →
M. N. Nambiar
M. N. NambiarActor
2nd time
Sachu
SachuActor
M. N. Nambiar × Sachu — 2 films together →
A
A. KasilingamDirector
2nd time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
A. Kasilingam × M. G. Ramachandran — 2 films together →
B
BhanumathiActor
2nd time
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
Bhanumathi × M. G. Ramachandran — 2 films together →
K. V. Mahadevan
K. V. MahadevanMusic Composer
2nd time
Sachu
SachuActor
K. V. Mahadevan × Sachu — 2 films together →
M. G. Ramachandran
M. G. RamachandranActor
2nd time
Rajasree
RajasreeActor
M. G. Ramachandran × Rajasree — 2 films together →
Rajasree
RajasreeActor
2nd time
Sachu
SachuActor
Rajasree × Sachu — 2 films together →

Trivia

  • The film was inspired by a popular Tamil radio drama of the same name.
  • It is considered one of the earliest Tamil science fiction films, predating even Hollywood's major space films of the era.
  • The alien costumes were made using simple materials like foam and glitter, giving them a unique handmade look.
  • A. Kasilingam, the director, was better known for his work in mythological and social dramas before this experiment.
  • The film's music was composed by the popular duo Viswanathan–Ramamoorthy, known for their catchy tunes.
  • Despite its novel concept, the film did not perform well commercially upon its initial release.
  • The plot device of using music and dance as a universal language was a creative highlight for its time.

Frequently Asked Questions