Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala

Last updated

Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala
Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala.jpg
Poster cover
Directed by Sreenivasan
Written bySreenivasan
Produced byC.Karunakaran
Starring Sangita
Sreenivasan
Thilakan
Innocent
Nedumudi Venu
Sudheesh
Siddique
Mamukkoya
Cinematography S. Kumar
Edited by Sreekar Prasad
Music by Johnson
Distributed byFilimothsav
Release date
  • 15 October 1998 (1998-10-15)
Running time
158 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (English: Shyamala lost in thought) is a 1998 Malayalam satire film written and directed by Sreenivasan.The film stars Sangita and Sreenivasan in the lead roles with supporting cast include Thilakan, Innocent, Nedumudi Venu, Sudheesh, and Siddique.The film is about an irresponsible husband and his neglected family. It won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues. The film is one of the classic family dramas in Malayalam. [1] The film was remade in Telugu as Aavide Syamala (1999) and Tamil as Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy (2005).

Contents

Sangita won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her role Shyamala. It was Mohanlal who suggested Sangita for Shyamala. The character still remains one of the best female characters in Malayalam cinema. [2] The film won two Filmfare Awards South.

Plot

Vijayan, the village school teacher, believes that his degree in economics will make him succeed in the business ventures he undertakes. Taking long leaves of absence from work, he goes around with his schemes, all of which turn out to be downright failures.

The movie opens with a light portrayal of the misery of his benevolent wife Shyamala and their two daughters, with Vijayan away on his latest venture — an attempt to shoot a short ad film under influence of his friend. It ends, predictably, with Vijayan taking to his heels when it is apparent that he has never seen a film being shot in his life before and thought he could just wing it without experience. Karunan "Mash", Vijayan's father, is worried for his son and daughter-in-law and their children by seeing Vijayan not taking seriously his regular job in hand and going after dreams beyond his capability. His wife is under-educated and believes what her husband is doing is right for their family and what they face is a momentary crisis. He knows this and misuses this for slacking off on his responsibilities. As a last resort to reform his son Karunan and father-in-law Achuthan Nair suggests that Vijayan undertake the annual pilgrimage to the Hindu hilltop temple Sabarimala and reorder life with responsibility. Despite his initial protests, Vijayan undertakes his pilgrimage because he starts to lose ground for his acts, by observing the customary 41-day fasting and abstinence.

Sabarimala changes him. On his return from his pilgrimage, his family discovers to their dismay that matters have swung to the other extreme. Vijayan takes faith to his heart, embraces vegetarianism and adopts a life of prayer, frugality and abstinence, eventually forsaking his debt-ridden family for a life at an ashram. His version of ashram life is one of round-the-clock prayer and an escape from daily responsibilities and work — which doesn't go well with the other residents. Soon the residents find out Vijayan has a family and abandon them thinking they would be taken care of by God since they are innocent and his primary aim for becoming a Sanyasi is to craft gold and money from the ether as some fake Sanyasi's do rather than service. The head of the ashram guides him to lose his inferiority complexes and betray himself because knowing oneself and taking up responsibilities is the foundation of true wisdom and freedom. He soon finds himself unwelcome there and returns to his home, to discover his family have moved on without him and sustains without hunger or by borrowing money as they did in the past from a tailoring business contract his wife took after he left. During her sister's marriage day she guides her sister to complete her studies and should take up a job that could make her role in their family as an equally responsible person. Vijayan tries to get back into his family which he abandoned. He tries to win his family's heart through acts and mediation's, his wife censures him for his new low. He continues with his acts to convince his wife but she finally says she sees through all these and to leave them alone. Vijayan finally breakdown but his wife rejects it which makes him declare that he is leaving them for sure if it is what they need. His wife asks him why was the emotional whimpering a moment ago and did he even think how they felt for months when Vijayan rejected and left them alone. She says there were many who suggested she remarry but she lived through each night with the hope that Vijayan would return and if this is the resolution he has come up with finally, he should go wherever he wishes. The next day with a true change of heart he returns to his teaching and the film ends with Vijayan returning to his home with his wife and children through a road where Communist leaders and Sabarimala pilgrims are marching in opposite directions.

Cast

Title

The title and plot of the film are inspired by Chinthavishtayaaya Sita, a celebrated work by Malayalam poet and social reformer Kumaran Asan. The poem describes the philosophic musings of Sita and her confrontation with her husband Rama, towards the end of the Ramayana epic. As in the poem, the film portrays the silent struggle, sacrifice, and finally the emancipation of the character Shyamala.

Remakes

It was remade in Telugu as Aavide Syamala (1999) by Kodi Ramakrishna. [3] This film was later remade into Tamil as Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy in 2005 directed by Thangar Bachan who also starred in lead role. It was also remade in Hindi as SRK with Vinay Pathak but it remains unreleased.

Reception

This was Sreenivasan's second directorial effort and won critical and commercial success and further established his position in Malayalam cinema as a gifted comedian and screenwriter. The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues in 1999. It won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film in 1998.

Box office

The film became commercial success. It ran more than 150 days in theatres. [4]

Awards and honours

Award CategoryAwardArtist
National Film Awards Best Film on Other Social Issues C. Karunakaran
Kerala State Film Awards Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value
Best Actress 		C. Karunakaran
Sangita
Filmfare Awards South Best Film (Malayalam)
Best Director (Malayalam) [5] 		C. Karunakaran
Sreenivasan
Asianet Film Awards Best Film
Best Director

Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack contains 2 songs, all composed by Johnson and Lyrics by Gireesh Puthenchery and Yusufali Kechery.

#TitleSinger(s)
1"Aarodum Mindaathe" K. J. Yesudas
2"Machakathammaye" M. G. Sreekumar, Chorus

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sreenivasan</span> Indian film actor, screenwriter, and director (born 1956)

Sreenivasan is an Indian actor, screenwriter, director, dubbing artist and producer who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. Sreenivasan has starred in over 225 films. Sreenivasan wrote the screenplays of films such as Odaruthammava Aalariyam (1984), Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam (1986), Gandhinagar 2nd Street (1986), Nadodikkattu (1987), Pattanapravesham (1988), Varavelpu (1989), Thalayana Manthram (1990), Sandesam (1991), Midhunam (1993), Mazhayethum Munpe (1995), Azhakiya Ravanan (1996), Oru Maravathoor Kanavu (1998), Udayananu Tharam (2005), Katha Parayumpol (2007), and Njan Prakashan (2018) among which the latter is one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. He has won two Kerala State Film Awards for Best Screenplay, for Sandesam and Mazhayethum Munpe. He has received numerous accolades including a National Film Award, two Filmfare Award South and seven Kerala State Film Awards.

<i>Kireedam</i> (1989 film) 1989 film by Sibi Malayil

Kireedam (transl. Crown) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. The film stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, and Parvathy Jayaram, along with Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Mohan Raj, Murali, Sreenath, Kundara Johny, Cochin Haneefa, Jagathy Sreekumar, Philomina, Usha, Jagadish, Maniyanpilla Raju, Mamukkoya, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, and Kanakalatha in supporting roles. The music for the film was composed by Johnson.

<i>Prajapathi</i> 2006 Indian film

Prajapathi is a 2006 Malayalam-language action thriller film written and directed by Ranjith. It stars Mammootty, Sreenivasan, Siddique, Nedumudi Venu, and Thilakan. The music was by Tej Manoj. The film marks Aditi Rao Hydari's feature film debut. The film was shot close to Gopichettipalayam in Tamil Nadu.

<i>Mithunam</i> (1993 film) 1993 Indian film

Mithunam is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language domestic drama film, directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan. The film stars Mohanlal and Urvashi. It was produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts and was distributed by Pranamam Pictures. The film features songs composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan and background score by S. P. Venkatesh..This movie was remade as Sankalpam in 1995 in telugu.

<i>Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy</i> 2005 Indian film

Chidambarathil Oru Appasamy is a 2005 Indian Tamil-language satirical film directed by Thangar Bachan, who also stars with Navya Nair. It is a remake of the Malayalam film Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998).

<i>Pattanapravesham</i> 1988 Indian film

Pattanapravesham is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language detective comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan. It stars Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Karamana Janardhanan, Ambika and Thilakan in the lead roles. It is a sequel to the 1987 film Nadodikkattu, Mohanlal and Sreenivasan reprises their roles as Ramdas / Dasan and Vijayan, respectively. The plot follows Dasan and Vijayan who are now C.I.Ds in Tamil Nadu Police, who are charged with investigating a homicide case. The film was produced by Siyad Koker under the banner of Kokers Films.

<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>Sadayam</i> 1992 Indian film

Sadayam (transl. 'Mercifully') is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Murali, Sreenivasan, Maathu, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, and T. G. Ravi. The film was produced and distributed by G. P. Vijayakumar of Seven Arts Films. The film score was composed by Johnson.

<i>Pavithram</i> 1994 Indian film

Pavithram (transl. Sacred) is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar and written by P. Balachandran from a story by Balachandran and T. K. Rajeev Kumar. The film stars Mohanlal and Shobana in lead roles. Vinduja Menon, Thilakan, Srividya, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Sreenivasan, Nedumudi Venu and Innocent played prominent supporting roles. The music for the film was composed by Sharreth and the cinematography was by Santosh Sivan. The movie was edited by V Venugopal.

<i>Makante Achan</i> 2009 film by V. M. Vinu

Makante Achan is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by V. M. Vinu, written by Samjad Narayanan, and produced by Seven Arts International. It stars Vineeth Sreenivasan, Sreenivasan and Suhasini in lead roles

<i>Balettan</i> 2003 Indian film

Balettan is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language family drama film directed by V. M. Vinu, written by T. A. Shahid, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal in the title role, along with Devayani, Nedumudi Venu, Harisree Ashokan, Riyaz Khan, Innocent, and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film's songs were composed by M. Jayachandran, while the background score was provided by C. Rajamani. The film was released on 28 August 2003. Balettan was blockbuster at box office and highest grossing malayalam movie of the year and ran over than 200 days in theatres. It won the Kerala Film Critics Association Awards for Best Popular Film. The film was remade in Telugu as Rajababu (2006).

<i>Sandesam</i> 1991 Indian film

Sandesam (transl. Message) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language political satire black comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan starring Thilakan, Sreenivasan, Jayaram, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Siddique, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Maathu. The film deals with political activism existing in Kerala and takes major digs on the political parties in the state. In the film, Raghavan, a retired railway employee, wishes to live the rest of his life with his family. However, he is forced to become a mediator and reconcile his two sons who feud over petty politics.

<i>Puthiya Mukham</i> 2009 film by Diphan

Puthiya Mukham is a 2009 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Diphan and written by M. Sindhuraj. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Bala, Priyamani, Meera Nandan, Oviya and Santhosh Varkey makes cameo appearance through this film. The music was composed by Deepak Dev, with cinematography and editing done by Bharani K. Dharan and Samjith Mohammed.

Prem Nazirine Kanmanilla is a 1983 Malayalam crime film, directed by Lenin Rajendran, starring Sreenivasan, Maniyanpilla Raju, Vijay Menon and Prem Nazir in the lead roles. The movie also shows the Kerala society and its political leadership and how various people behave during such a tragic event.

<i>Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam</i> 1986 Indian film

Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Anthikkad. The film stars Mohanlal, Karthika, Sreenivasan and M. G. Soman. The film features songs composed by Jerry Amaldev and background score by Shyam. The film was released on October 31st, 1995 during Diwali.

<i>Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam</i> 1986 Indian film

Doore Doore Oru Koodu Koottam is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language satirical comedy drama film directed by Sibi Malayil, written by Sreenivasan and produced by M. Mani. It stars Mohanlal, Menaka, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nedumudi Venu, Mamukkoya, Sukumari, Kunjandi, Sreenivasan, Sanath Mathur Innocent and K. P. A. C. Sunny in major roles. The film won the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sangita Madhavan Nair</span> Indian actress

Sangita Madhavan Nair is an Indian actress, who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil and Kannada film industries, predominantly in the 1990s. She is well known of her characters in Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala and Poove Unakkaga.

Oru Yugasandhya is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Madhu and produced by P. K. R. Pillai. The film stars Madhu, Shankar Panicker, Innocent and Srividya. The film has musical score by A. T. Ummer.

<i>Lion</i> (2006 film) 2006 Malayalam film directed by Joshiy

Lion is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film written by Udaykrishna-Sibi K. Thomas and directed by Joshiy. The film stars Dileep, Kalasala Babu, Kavya Madhavan and Vijayaraghavan alongside a supporting cast that include Jagathy Sreekumar, Innocent, Sai Kumar, Shammi Thilakan, Riyaz Khan and Karthika. The film was produced by Noushad and distributed by Shan Entertainment. The film received positive reviews and was a blockbuster at the box office. It was remade in Tamil as Nam Naadu and in Telugu as Evadaithe Nakenti.

<i>Aavide Syamala</i> 1999 Telugu film by Kodi Ramakrishna

Aavide Syamala is a 1999 Indian Telugu-language drama film directed by Kodi Ramakrishna. The film stars Ramya Krishna and Prakash Raj in the lead roles. It is a remake of the 1998 Malayalam film Chinthavishtayaya Syamala. The music for the film was composed by Madhavapeddi Suresh. The film's narrative centers around the struggles of a wife named Syamala, who endures numerous hardships while managing a husband who is irresponsible and neglectful of family duties.

References

  1. ↑ "'Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala' and Sreenivasan to come together again for a social satire". The Times of India . 21 August 2014.
  2. ↑ "Mohanlal suggested Sangeetha for Shyamala: Sreenivasan". The Hindu . 2 December 2014.
  3. ↑ "Aavide Shyamala | Full Length Telugu Movie". YouTube . 29 June 2013.
  4. ↑ Warrier, Shobha (7 December 1998). "All is not lost..." Rediff.com .
  5. ↑ "46th Filmfare Awards South Winners" . Retrieved 21 October 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.