Chandrayaan 3: From “Kalai Arasi” to “Rocketry” – Groundbreaking Indian Movies Based on Space Exploration

India successfully completed the Chandrayaan 3 mission on 23rd August 2023. This launch comes after the previous attempt with Chandrayaan 2 did not go as planned. As the country witnesses this historic launch, it presents an opportunity to look back at how Indian Cinema has depicted space exploration over the decades.

As we have witnessed Chandrayaan 3 take off live, here are 7 Indian films that give a sense of how the cinematic portrayal of space travel has evolved:

Indian Cinema in the Early Years (1950s-60s)

In the early decades after independence, Indian audiences were still unfamiliar with real advances in space research. The few films that did explore interplanetary travel tended to treat it more as fantasy than plausible science.

‘Kalai Arasi’ (1963) –

Directed by A. Kasilingam, this was India’s first space film, starring MG Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna. Though successful, it did not spur more sci-fi space dramas, likely because Indian audiences then were not yet familiar with space advances.

‘Chand Par Chadayee’ (1967) –

Produced and directed by T.P. Sundaram, this obscure film was lost to time as space exploration was still unfamiliar to moviegoers. Today, it is tough to find any prints or recordings of the film.

Though well-intentioned first attempts, these films didn’t inspire more space-focused movies immediately. The reasons may have included high production costs, limited public awareness, and lack of confidence in wider appeal.

The resurgence of Interest (2000s)

By the early 2000s, India’s space program was advancing rapidly and public interest in cosmic exploration was growing. A new generation of filmmakers started integrating space research into imaginative, human stories.

‘Koi…Mil Gaya’ (2003) –

This Rakesh Roshan blockbuster starring Hrithik Roshan brought the wonder of alien contact and space travel to everyday audiences. Its story of a young man befriending an alien was an unprecedented success.

‘Antariksham 9000 KMPH’ (2018) –

The first Telugu space film took a more dramatic approach to the genre. While appreciated for its efforts, it was not a commercial success, perhaps indicating that mainstream Telugu audiences were not quite ready for introspective space dramas.

‘Tik Tik Tik’ (2018) –

This outrageous space drama exemplifies a genre of space films that fail so spectacularly that they provide entertainment value in their very awfulness.

Finding Wider Acclaim (2010s-present)

In the 2010s, Indian filmmakers finally cracked the code on producing acclaimed, mainstream movies about the final frontier that resonated more deeply with audiences.

‘Mission Mangal’ (2019) –

This smash hit struck the right balance between an inspiring dramatization of India’s Mars mission and pure entertainment value, with compelling performances by Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar.

‘Rocketry: The Nambi Effect’ (2022) –

R. Madhavan’s biopic of scientist Nambi Narayanan tracks his work on India’s space program amid significant challenges. With cameos by the real Nambi Narayanan, this film encapsulates India’s monumental achievements in space exploration.

These films combined scientific accuracy, human drama, and entertainment value to portray space research as a source of national achievement and inspiration. Their success signals that the theme has been firmly established in Indian popular culture.

Conclusion

As Indian cinema has evolved, so has the way it has depicted the country’s journeys into space – from fantastical curiosity to fulsome celebration. The launch of Chandrayaan 3 shows space exploration continuing to fire the public imagination. More nuanced, absorbing films on this theme may well be on the horizon as Indian filmmakers further integrate scientific advancements into engrossing, thoughtful narratives. The interplay between cinema, culture, and India’s cosmic quest is sure to inspire and entertain for decades to come.