Japanil Kalyanaraman

Plot

Raman (Kamal Haasan) is a journalist who exposes a smuggling and black money racket, which involves the high-profile (Major Sunderarajan) and his son Narendran (Sathyaraj), and is about to go public. The magazine is bought by Narendran overnight.

When Raman reveals that he is about to start his own magazine, he is beaten up by Narendran's men. After surviving miraculously, Raman, his son Arun (Master Tinku) and the spirit of the now-dead Kalyanaraman (also played by Kamal Haasan), travel to Japan to buy printing equipment and to show Arun around.

In the comedy side plot, Mayilsamy (Goundamani) and Kuppaathaa (Kovai Sarala) win a lucky draw to visit Japan, guided by Munusamy (Chitra Lakshmanan).

Raman meets Radha (Radha) who is a waitress in a restaurant and they gradually fall in love, with the efforts of Kalyanaraman and Arun. Meanwhile, Narendran also travels to Japan to get rid of Raman before he arrives back in India.

The movie ends with Raman helping to arrest Narendran and getting back together with Radha and Arun.

Cast

Production

The film was a sequel to 1979 film Kalyanaraman and it was the first Tamil film to have a sequel. The film was entirely shot in Japan. Buck Tooth for Master Tinku was designed by Dr. Janakiraman.

Soundtrack

The music composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Reception

Japanil Kalyanaraman evoked tremendous hype as it was the sequel of the successful Kalyanaraman. It however failed commercially because, according to the director, "it lacked the freshness the original version had".

The film was regarded as a visual treat due to the extensive coverage of Japan as well as the fair held there called Expo '85, which attracted children. Once again Sathyaraj had won appreciation for his role as villain.