Cast
View AllPrameela
as Lalitha
S. V. Subbaiah
as Ramu Shastrigal
Sivakumar
as Thangavelu
Kamal Haasan
as Thyagu
Sasikumar
as Pasupathy
M. N. Rajam
as Visalam
M. S. Sundari Bai
as Janaki
Senthamarai
as Nadesa Udayar
R. Neelakantan
as Music teacher
Jayachitra
as Mangalam
Jayasudha
as Devi
Jaishankar
as Cameo (Himself)
Lakshmi
as Cameo (Herself)
Crew
Director
- K. Balachander
Writer
- K. Balachander
Producer
- J Duraisamy
- N. Selvaraj
- V. Govindarajan
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Arangetram examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director K. Balachander brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1973, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Arangetram took approximately 6 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 152 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 200 minutes long.
- Several scenes were filmed in multiple locations to capture the perfect setting.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
- The film contains approximately 1511 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1973, when this film was released:
- Economic recession and oil crises were affecting global economies.
- Disco music dominated popular culture.
- The film industry was dominated by major studios, with independent cinema still in its early development.
How This Film Stands Out
Details
- Release Date: February 2, 1973
- Runtime: 2h 32m