Chandrayaan-3: Indian Movies Depicting the Changing Landscape of Space Exploration

On a historic Friday around 2:35 PM, Chandrayaan-3, India's most recent effort at space exploration, launched from the Sriharikota Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh. India's relentless quest for knowledge beyond the boundaries of Earth has reached a crucial turning point with this amazing accomplishment.

All you need to know about Chandrayaan-3

The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft is a magnificent design that consists of a lander, a rover, and a propulsion module that weigh an astounding 3,900 kilogrammes together. 200 children from several schools flocked to the space centre to witness this historic occasion, and the launch of this ambitious mission captured their attention. Thousands of people also flocked to the area, ready to take part in this amazing event.

Chandrayaan-3 Indian Films That Depicted Space Exploration

While space films have not been a prevalent genre in Indian cinema due to their high production costs, it is crucial to explore how space exploration has been depicted in Indian movies over the years. From the black-and-white era to the present, several films have contributed to shaping the narrative. Here are a few Indian films that provide insights into this cinematic portrayal:

'Kalai Arasi' (1963): Directed by A. Kasilingam, this film marked India's first venture into the space genre. Starring MG Ramachandran and P. Bhanumathi Ramakrishna, it achieved success but did not inspire many subsequent sci-fi and space drama projects. At the time, the Indian public's lack of awareness about scientific breakthroughs may have influenced producers' reluctance to invest heavily in such films.

'Chand Par Chadayee' (1967): Produced and directed by T.P. Sundaram, this space movie attempted to capture the audience's imagination. However, due to the limited knowledge of space-related advancements among Indian moviegoers, the film remained relatively unknown and eventually got lost in archives. Obtaining a copy of this film today, whether online or in film museums, is exceptionally challenging.

'Koi…Mil Gaya' (2003): Directed and produced by Rakesh Roshan, this film starred Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha, and others. It narrates the story of a special-needs youngster who stumbles upon his late father's alien communication device. Chaos ensues when the aliens respond and decide to visit their newfound friend. 'Koi...Mil Gaya' became a massive blockbuster, resonating with audiences.

'Antariksham 9000 KMPH' (2018): This Telugu film marked the first attempt at a space drama in Telugu cinema. Despite the team's commendable efforts to present it as a humanistic drama, the film failed to resonate with audiences, largely due to its overly somber tone. Nonetheless, it showcased the potential for space dramas in Telugu cinema.

'Tik Tik Tik' (2018): This space drama falls into the category of films that are so bad that they become enjoyable. Overdoing everything and portraying space flight in a ridiculous manner, the film's comedic nature garnered laughs, despite its critical failure and commercial disaster.

'Mission Mangal' (2019): 'Mission Mangal' stands out as the first Indian blockbuster to deliver an engaging and fulfilling space drama. Depicting a voyage to Mars as a triumph of India and humanity, the film struck a balance between commercial viability and substantial content. Notable performances by Vidya Balan and Akshay Kumar, along with a talented ensemble cast, elevated its appeal.

'Rocketry: The Nambi Effect' (2022): Directed by R. Madhavan, who also plays the prominent role of Nambi Narayanan, this film is based on the true story of the Indian aerospace engineer. Nambi Narayanan was instrumental in advancing India's space exploration program and faced numerous challenges along the way. 'Rocketry' acknowledges the support he received from his team and others during difficult times. The film features cameo appearances by the real Nambi Narayanan, Suriya, and Shah Rukh Khan in different versions.

These Indian films provide viewers with a look at how the exploration of space has been portrayed in the country's cinema as Chandrayaan-3 sets out on its mission to explore new horizons in space. From the earliest times of little knowledge to the present, this genre has evolved to reflect India's increasing interest in the universe's mysteries.

- PTC PUNJABI