Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil

Last updated

Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil
Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil.jpg
Promotional Poster
Directed by P. Padmarajan
Screenplay byP. Padmarajan
Based onArappatta Kettiya Gramathil by
P. Padmarajan
Produced by Hari Pothan
Starring Mammootty
Nedumudi Venu
Ashokan
Gomathi
Sukumari
Unnimary
Jagathy Sreekumar
Cinematography Shaji N. Karun
Venu
Edited by B. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan (assistant)
Production
company
Supriya Films
Release date
  • 1 May 1986 (1986-05-01)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Arappatta Kettiya Gramathil (transl.In the Village Which Wears a Warrior's Belt) is a 1986 Malayalam film directed by P. Padmarajan, based on his own short story of the same name. The film revolves around three people, Zechariah (Mammootty), Hilal (Ashokan), and Gopi (Nedumudi Venu), who go to a brothel in a remote village and the problems they had to face there in the next 24 hours. It also stars Gomathi, Sukumari, Unnimary and Jagathy Sreekumar in other pivotal roles.

Contents

The film was a commercial failure but is now considered a cult classic. [1] [2] Sukumari won both the Kerala State Film Award and the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Maluvamma.

Plot

One night at a dance bar, Joseph, a rich, but spoiled brat of a textile businessman offers a trip to a brothel with his three friends. Zechariah, Gopi, and Hilal, accept the offer and set out in Joseph's car. But on the way, Zechariah and Joseph get into a fight and the trip gets canceled, with Joseph leaving them back. But Zechariah decides to take both his friends to the brothel, though he just has a vague knowledge of the route. The trio sets out on the next morning and reaches the remote village. The suspicious look of the villagers frightens both Gopi and Hilal, but Zechariah is cool in his moves. The trio reaches the brothel run by Maluvamma, which is actually her ancestral house. They enter inside the huge house, and is shocked to find a few children playing and an old man scribbling something on a paper, without even bothering to take a look at them. The trio enters inside the house and comes across a girl who is both deaf and dumb. From her body language, the trio finds out that she is a prostitute kept by Maluvamma and Gopi gets wooed by her. In a couple of minutes, arrives Devaki, who is more ravishing and sensual. She informs them that Maluvamma has gone outside with Gowrikutty, a new girl and will be back in few minutes. But the trio is shocked by the sudden entry of Bhaskaramenon, who asks them to vacate the house as a group of Muslims is planning to attack the house. He also shows them the injury marks caused a few days back in a riot and shows them the door to the outside. On their way back, a group of Muslims surrounds and verbally abuses them. With Zechariah beginning to retaliate, they turn violent. But the leader of the mob pacifies the crowd and takes them to a nearby tea stall, deciding to consult with Moopan about the next move. By keeping the trio under the custody of the mob, he reaches the house of Moopan. Generally, the girls brought by Maluvamma are first enjoyed by Moopan and it was the opposition of Gowrikutty to be a prey to Moopan that caused all the riot in the village. Maluvamma by this time convinces Moopan that Gowrikutty will be brought to him in a couple of days, and Moopan is convinced. He orders release of the trio, and Maluvamma takes them to her house. She lets Gopi to go for the deaf and dumb girl, while Zechariah opts to play cards with Devaki and the old man. Hilal enters inside the room of Gowrikutty. But while trying to fondle her, she turns violent, making Hilal to forcefully go on for her. Hilal is shocked to find out that Gowrikutty is forcefully brought into the business by Maluvamma and is still a virgin. He sympathizes with her and asks her to tell her story. She tells him that she was sold to Maluvamma by her uncle after the death of her father. It was only a few days after the arrival at the house that she realized that it is a brothel. On refusing to entertain the clients, she was brutally assaulted by Maluvamma. She pleads Hilal to save her from the brothel. He promises to take her out and marry her. But his plan to take her out is foiled by Bhasi, Maluvamma's son. Hilal tells Gopi and Zechariah about Gowrikutty and Zechariah promises him to help him in saving her. Narayanan, a pimp of Panicker, a local feudal landlord, arrives and demands Maluvamma to release Gowrikutty along with him at night. Maluvamma agrees to it and asks him to come at night. That night, Gowrikutty refuses to go along with Narayanan, which enrages him. He returns to collect more people to avenge on Maluvamma. But she is now supported by Moopan, who sends a bunch of his henchmen for the security of the house. A few hours later, Narayanan is back with a dozen of his goons. He is attacked by the goons of Moopan and a riot sets out. Zechariah decides to use this opportunity and stab Bhasi, making Maluvamma to come out of her room. Using this opportunity, Hilal and Gopi take Gowrikutty and run out of the house. While escaping, Zechariah is attacked by Narayanan. In an attempt to save himself, Narayanan stabs Zechariah to death. Reaching a safe place, Gopi asks Hilal to run away with the girl and decides to go back to find out what had happened to Zechariah. He reaches out the house and calls out Zechariah's name loudly, but gets no response.

Cast

Changes from the short story

Though the movie was adapted from his own short story with the same name, P. Padmarajan brought several changes to the script. While the short story does not give out the reason of how Zechariah, Gopi and Bilal reach the brothel, the film explains it in detail. While the short story had just a handful of characters, the film had more than a dozen characters. Several characters including Joseph, Panikkar, Narayanan and Devaki were added by Padmarajan.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padmarajan</span> Indian film maker and author

Padmarajan Padmanabhan Pillai, better known as P. Padmarajan was an Indian film maker, screenwriter and author who was known for his works in Malayalam literature and Malayalam cinema. He was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam cinema, along with Bharathan and K. G. George, in the 1980s.

<i>Poochakkoru Mookkuthi</i> 1984 Indian film

Poochakkoru Mookkuthi is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language screwball comedy film written and directed by Priyadarshan in his directorial debut. The film features an ensemble cast that includes Mohanlal, Shankar, Menaka, M. G. Soman, Nedumudi Venu, C. I. Paul, Sukumari, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kuthiravattam Pappu, Sreenivasan and Baiju Santhosh.

<i>Innale</i> 1990 Indian film

Innale (transl. Yesterday) is a 1990 Malayalam-language psychological drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan. The film was produced by A. B. R. Productions. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, Shobhana, and Srividya in lead roles. The film features original songs composed by Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath, while the film score was composed by Mohan Sithara. The Cinematography was handled by Venu.

<i>Akkare Akkare Akkare</i> 1990 Indian film

Akkareyakkareyakkare, also known Akkare Akkare Akkare is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language buddy cop comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan. It stars Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, M. G. Soman, Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, Parvathy and Nedumudi Venu in major roles. It is a sequel to 1987's Nadodikkattu and 1988s Pattanapravesham; Mohanlal and Sreenivasan reprises their roles. However, Thilakan, Mamukkoya and Innocent, who have appeared in the previous films, do not appear in this film. Also, a new cast of Nedumudi Venu, Sukumari, Parvathy Jayaram, Jagadish,Mukesh and Maniyanpilla Raju appears. M. G. Soman plays a character role, having appeared as himself in Nadodikkattu. The story follows C.I.Ds Dasan and Vijayan on an investigation for a gold crown stolen to the United States.

<i>Aparan</i> (film) 1988 Indian film

Aparan (transl. Imposter) is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language mystery psychological thriller film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, based on his short story of the same name. It stars Jayaram, Mukesh, Shobana, Parvathy Jayaram and Madhu. The film is about mistaken identity and the problems that a young, innocent man has to undergo in his life. The film was the debut of Jayaram and it was a critical as well as commercial success. The film was remade in Tamil as Manidhan Marivittan (1989). The film is considered as a cult classic in Malayalam cinema.

<i>Chakkikotha Chankaran</i> 1989 Indian film

Chakkikotha Chankaran is 1989 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film, directed by Krishnakumar, starring Jayaram and Urvashi. The movie was remade in Kannada as Mana Mecchida Sose.

<i>Karimpinpoovinakkare</i> 1985 Indian film

Karimpinpoovinakkare is a 1985 Malayalam film written by P. Padmarajan and directed by I. V. Sasi, starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, Bharat Gopy, Seema, and Urvashi. The film revolves around the life and revenge of a few villagers against each other.

<i>Raama Raavanan</i> 2010 Indian film

Raama Raavanan is a 2010 film based on the novel Manomi by Madhavikutty. It is directed by Biju Vattappara and produced by Raaffi Mathirra under the banner Ifar International. It stars Suresh Gopi, Mithra Kurian, Nedumudi Venu, Biju Menon, Sudheesh, Baburaj, Sonia, Krishna, Lena and others. The film was released on 30 July 2010.

<i>Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu</i> 1990 Malayalam film

Ee Thanutha Veluppan Kalathu is a 1990 Malayalam-language mystery thriller film written by Padmarajan and directed by Joshiy. It stars Mammootty, Suresh Gopi, Nedumudi Venu, Lalu Alex, Sumalatha, Lakshmi and Murali. It was considered as one of the best mystery thriller films in Malayalam cinema.

<i>Kallan Pavithran</i> 1981 film by Padmarajan

Kallan Pavithran is a 1981 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by P. Padmarajan, based on his own short story of the same name. It stars Nedumudi Venu and Bharath Gopi, along with Subhashini, Beena and Devi in supporting roles. The film revolves around the lives of Pavithran, a petty thief, and Mamachan, a mill owner. Their lives turn upside down when Pavithran finds wealth from an unknown source.

<i>Alancheri Thamprakkal</i> 1995 Indian film

Alancheri Thamprakkal is a 1995 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Sunil, and scripted by Robin Thirumala. The film was produced and distributed by Fax Productions & Release. Nedumudi Venu and Narendra Prasad appear in the lead titular roles along with Annie, Dileep, Rajan P. Dev and Mamukkoya in supporting roles, the film had an average performance at box office.

<i>Pinnilavu</i> 1983 Indian film

Pinnilavu is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by P. G. Viswambharan and written by Thoppil Bhasi, based on the story of the same name by C. Radhakrishnan. It stars Madhu, Srividya, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Poornima Bhagyaraj, M G Soman, Mukesh, Maniyan Pillai Raju, and Sukumari. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film is about a fight of ethics between a father and son.

Pavappettaval is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. A. Thomas. The film stars Sathyan, Kamaladevi, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by B. A. Chidambaranath. It is a remake of the 1941 Telugu film Devatha.

Saivar Thirumeni is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shajoon Karyal and written by Robin Thirumala. It features Suresh Gopi, Manoj K. Jayan and Samyuktha Varma. The music was composed by Raveendran. The plot revolves around Devadatthan, a Namboothiri youth. This movie is dubbed in Telugu as Dhairyavanthudu and in Hindi as Jung ka maidan.

<i>Oru Kochu Swapnam</i> 1984 Indian film

Oru Kochu Swapnam is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed and shot by Vipin Das and written by Joseph Madappally. The film stars Mohanlal, Ilavarasi, Nedumudi Venu, Seema, and Unnimary. The film score was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan. The story is about a teenage girl lacking proper sex education exploring her sexuality.

Najangalude Kochu Doctor is a 1989 Indian Malayalam film, directed by Balachandra Menon. The film stars Srividya, Thilakan, Balachandra Menon and Revathy in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Darsan Raman.

Venal Kinavukal is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. The film stars Sudheesh, Yadu Krishnan, Monisha and Krishnaprasad. The film has musical score by L. Vaidyanathan. This was the last Malayalam film of Sethhmadhavan, who made three more movies before retiring from film industry.

Aaroodam is a 1983 Indian Malayalam film, directed by I. V. Sasi and produced by Rosamma George. The film stars Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, Seema and Adoor Bhasi in prominent roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. The film won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration in 1983.

Niramulla Ravulkal is a 1986 Indian Malayalam film, directed by N. Sankaran Nair and produced by S. Kumar. The film stars Suresh Gopi, Prameela, Unnimary and Vincent in the lead roles. The film has a musical score by K. J. Joy.

<i>Baakiyalakshmi</i> Tamil Television serial

Baakiyalakshmi – oru Illatharasiyin Kadhai is an Indian Tamil series on Star Vijay. This show is an official remake of Star Jalsha series Sreemoyee. It premiered on 27 July 2020. It stars K.S. Suchitra Shetty in the title role with Reshma Pasupuleti, Sathish Kumar, Rajyalakshmi and Ranjith in the other prominent roles.

References

  1. Rajadhyaksha, A.; Willemen, P. (1994). Encyclopaedia of Indian cinema. National Film Archive of India. ISBN   9780851704555.
  2. "P. Padmarajan". Cinema of Malayalam. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 5 July 2009.