Mullum Malarum

Mullum Malarum

Year: 1978

Runtime: 135 mins

Language: Tamil

Director: J. Mahendran

Drama

Orphaned as children, Kaali and his sister Valli have grown up relying on each other, forging a deep, protective bond. Their quiet life is disrupted when a newly appointed city engineer arrives, and Kaali's stubborn nature clashes with the outsider's modern plans, testing the siblings' relationship.

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Timeline & Setting – Mullum Malarum (1978)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Mullum Malarum (1978). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Mullimalai Hills, Ilaiyangudi

Set in the hill country around Mullimalai, the film follows Kali as he operates a hillside winch that ferries workers to a valley powerhouse. The Mullimalai Hills provide a rugged backdrop that shapes the characters' resourceful, tough-minded way of life. A nearby canal and the village’s Badaga community set the atmosphere and relationships at the center of the story.

🏞️ Rural 🏭 Industrial 🗺️ Mountainous

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:34

Main Characters – Mullum Malarum (1978)

Meet the key characters of Mullum Malarum (1978), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kali (Rajinikanth)

Kali is a fierce, fiery man who channels anger at perceived insensitivity toward the poor. After losing his arm in an accident, he wrestles with pride, still stubborn yet capable of deep loyalty to his sister Valli and wife Manga. His arc moves from confrontational independence to a tempered, forgiving stance that values family above rules.

🔥 Pride 💪 Resilience 🛠️ Determination

Kumaran (Sarath Babu)

Kumaran is a rule-abiding but fair engineer who believes in duty and order. He upholds the community’s safety and efficiency, yet he shows a capacity for empathy and growth as he becomes involved with Kali’s sister and the family’s affairs.

⚖️ Fairness 🧭 Duty 🌟 Leadership

Valli (Shoba)

Valli is Kali’s sister, a steady, compassionate presence who anchors the family. She embodies loyalty and resilience, balancing affection for Kali with her own sense of responsibility to others, and she becomes central to the marriages that unfold.

❤️ Love 👩‍👧 Family 🕊️ Loyalty

Mangaa (Fatafat Jayalakshmi)

Mangaa is a hungry, determined survivor from the drought-stricken Ilaiyangudi who brings warmth to kiln-like tension. Her appetite and spirited nature drive key moments that test Kali’s temper and push the family toward stability.

🍽️ Hunger 💃 Spirit ✨ Hope

Murgesan (Venniradai Moorthy)

Murgesan is a philandering local grocer whose actions threaten the family’s harmony. His presence triggers jealousy and conflict, ultimately contributing to Kali’s complex relationships with his sister Valli and Manga.

💬 Social 💔 Temptation

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:34

Major Themes – Mullum Malarum (1978)

Explore the central themes of Mullum Malarum (1978), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔥 Pride

Kali’s stubborn pride drives his initial clashes with the rules and the engineer Kumaran. After his accident, pride threatens to close him off from others, but it also fuels his determination to reclaim his dignity. The arc shows how pride can trigger conflict and, when tempered by consequences, lead to growth and reconciliation.

🤝 Empathy

The story contrasts Kali’s anger with the compassion shown by Valli, Manga, and Kumaran. Empathy for the poor and vulnerable appears through acts of shelter, fairness, and support, softening Kali’s harsher judgments. As relationships unfold, empathy becomes the glue that holds the family together.

💞 Love & Loyalty

Romantic and familial loyalties drive the plot: Kali and Manga marry, Valli contemplates her own path with Kumaran, and Kali’s sister remains central to the family’s ties. The tension between obligation and affection tests loyalties, culminating in Kali granting his blessing and a restored sense of family.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:34

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Mullum Malarum Summary

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Mullum Malarum Timeline

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Mullum Malarum Timeline

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