Dhanam (1991 film)

Last updated

Dhanam
Dhanam-1991.jpg
Directed by Sibi Malayil
Written by A. K. Lohithadas
Produced byM. M. Ramachandran (Atlas Ramachandran)
Starring Mohanlal
Murali
Charmila
Thilakan
Nassar
Nedumudi Venu
Zeenath
Babu Namboothiri
Cinematography S. Kumar
Edited by L. Bhoominathan
Music bySongs:
Raveendran
Score:
Johnson
Production
company
Chandrakanth Films
Distributed byChandrakanth Release
Release date
  • 8 February 1991 (1991-02-08) [1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Dhanam (English: Wealth) is a Malayalam language action thriller film released in 1991. Directed by Sibi Malayil, [2] this film had a strong casting line including Mohanlal, Murali, [3] Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, [4] Charmila, [5] Zeenath and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. [6] The script was done by A. K. Lohithadas. [7] [8] The film features a musical score by Johnson and songs by Raveendran.

Contents

Plot

Sivasankaran Nair is a young aspiring middle class medical representative with his home and other properties under mortgage (for a loan taken by his deceased father). He lives with his mother and sister. His dream is to earn more money and build a bigger home after repaying the loans. His neighbor and close childhood friend is Abubacker, who is a taxi driver. Siva usually travels with his friend. On one occasion, they accept a trip to carry a dead body at night for more money. While returning, the taxi breaks down near a beach and they decide to spend the night in the car. Siva gets a dream wherein the corpse comes alive and asks for a match. Siva convinces Abu that the car smells of the corpse and they decide to stay on the beach. Coincidentally, they overhear a smuggler trio talking about why they were not able to deliver the goods today. They tip the Customs department to get a monetary reward. After the Customs department catches the smugglers red-handed, they get a reward of 20 lakhs. But the smuggler, Stephen who loses the contraband learns about the informant from inside sources. He decides to kill the informant for the loss. His associates try to kill both Siva and Abu on their way back after receiving the reward.

Siva and Abu decide to stay in a Hotel with the money before depositing it in a bank. Siva unknowingly stays in the same hotel as Stephen, whereas Abu returns home. On seeing Siva, Stephen and his henchmen try to kill him. Siva runs with money for cover. At the end of the fight that ensues, they shoot Siva as he jumps off a bridge into a river.

Local Police constable Rajappan, lives with his wife Lakshmi and his sister-in-law Thankam/ Snehalatha. Siva resurfaces in their upper balcony of home. When she runs for cover from a sexual advance made by her sister's husband, Thankam sees Siva and helps him to hide. She feeds him and helps him to remove the bullet. They both get to know each other. Siva tells his story to Thankam and that after struggling for life and food for 3 days in hiding, he realizes the value of life and the idiocy in running behind money. He also tells that it is because of her compassion and empathy that he survived. Meanwhile, Police Constable Rajappan batters his wife over a missing alcohol bottle which was used for Siva while removing the bullet. Stephen reaches Siva's house to enquire about him. He reaches out to Abu on information from Sivasnakar's brother.

Stephen enquires about Siva and Abu says that their aim was to only make some money and that he wouldn't reveal the whereabouts of Siva, even if he dies. Stephen lets him go and follows him. Siva sends a letter via Thankam to Abu for a meeting. Thankam's father slaps her when she returns for going away without informing the family members and coming home late. Thankam manages to pass the message from Siva. Abu comes to meet Siva in the cover of darkness. Siva explains his position that he never ran with the money. Abu tells him that he believes him and doesn't want the money and informs him on arranging a train ticket the next day for leaving the place with the money. Siva asks Abu to take care of his family. Before leaving, Thankam asks Sivan to take her along with him to escape her brother-in-law. In the middle of the night, Rajappan arrives home and on seeing Thankam alone, he tries to take advantage of her. Siva interferes and saves her. On seeing the fight, furious Thankam's father attacks Rajappan and sends him out of the house. Siva leaves for the railway station with a promise of returning to marry Thankam.

As Stephen was losing patience, he asks Abu about Siva's whereabouts. He refuses to divulge the information and Abu is murdered. On the way to the railway station, Siva finds the taxi with Abu's dead body inside. Stephen and his associates attack him. In retaliation, Siva kills Stephen. The movie ends with a devastated Siva holding his friend's dead body and open briefcase of money (Dhanam) that is flying around.

Cast

Music

The score was composed by Johnson and the songs of this film were composed by Raveendran, with lyrics penned by P. K. Gopi.

TrackSong TitleSinger(s) Raga
1"Aanaykkeduppath" K. J. Yesudas Shanmukhapriya
2"Cheerapoovukal" K. S. Chithra Yamuna Kalyani
3"Nee Vidaparayumbol"K. J. Yesudas Shivaranjani

Box office

Dhanam was a superhit and one of the highest grossing Malayalam films of 1991. [9]

Related Research Articles

<i>Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal</i> 1986 Indian film

Namukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language romance drama film written and directed by Padmarajan based on the 1986 novel Nammukku Gramangalil Chennu Rapparkkam by K. K. Sudhakaran. The film stars Mohanlal, Shari, Thilakan, Vineeth, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The music was composed by Johnson. The plot is centered around a Malayali Syrian Christian-Nasrani ("Nazarene") family. Throughout the story, there are references to the Biblical book Song of Songs where it depicts the romantic dialogue between a young woman and her lover.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaviyoor Ponnamma</span> Indian Malayalam actress

Kaviyoor Ponnamma is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam films and television. She began her career performing in theatre dramas before foraying into cinema. She has also acted in TV serials and commercials and has playback singing credits in few films. Ponnamma is a four-time Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winner. Her sister Kaviyoor Renuka was also an actress. Often called as the Mother to all actors, she has acted as mother of almost all actors in her career panning over decades. At the age of 20, she played the mother of Sathyan and Madhu in the 1965 movie Thommente Makkal. She gained critical acclaim for acting as the mother of the actor Mohanlal.

<i>Bharatham</i> 1991 Malayalam musical-drama film directed by Sibi Malayil

Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Johnson. Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharatha's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.

<i>Baba Kalyani</i> (film) 2006 Indian film

Baba Kalyani is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by S. N. Swami, and produced by Antony Perumbavoor through Aashirvad Cinemas. It stars Mohanlal in the title role, and also features an ensemble cast featuring Indrajith Sukumaran, Biju Menon, Mamta Mohandas, Sai Kumar, and Jagathy Sreekumar in important roles. The film's music was composed by Alex Paul.

<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>Kalippattam</i> 1993 Malayalam movie

Kalippattam (transl. Toy) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and starring Mohanlal, Urvashi, Thilakan, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Jagathy and Nedumudi Venu. Mohanlal also sang a song ("Vazhiyoram") with Chithra for the film. The story is about the love between a violinist played by Mohanlal and a terminally ill girl played by Urvashi. The music and background score were composed by Raveendran.

<i>His Highness Abdullah</i> 1990 Indian film

His Highness Abdullah is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language musical thriller drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Nedumudi Venu, Gautami, Sreenivasan, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair and Mamukkoya. The film was produced by Mohanlal and was the debut production of his company Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Mohan Sithara. His Highness Abdullah was the same team's first film in a trilogy of Indian classical arts films, followed by Bharatham (1991) and Kamaladalam (1992).

<i>Mr. Brahmachari</i> 2003 Indian film

Mr. Brahmachari is a 2003 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Thulasidas and written by J. Pallassery from a story by Mahesh Mithra. It was produced and distributed by M. Mani through the company Aroma Movie International.

<i>Nandanam</i> (film) 2002 film directed by Ranjith

Nandanam is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film written, co-produced, and directed by Ranjith, it stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, Navya Nair, Aravind Akash, Siddique, and Sai Kumar in main roles. K. J. Yesudas and Sudheesh makes a Cameo Appearance. The film won four Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. The film also marks the debut of Prithiviraj Sukumaran.

<i>Pallavur Devanarayanan</i> 1999 Indian film

Pallavur Devanarayanan is a 1999 Malayalam drama film, written by Gireesh Puthenchery and directed by V. M. Vinu, in which Mammootty plays the title role, Pallavur Devanarayanan. The music for the film was composed by Raveendran and the lyrics were penned by Gireesh Puthenchery. One of the songs was sung by Mammootty himself.

<i>Chenkol</i> 1993 Indian film

Chenkol (transl. Sceptre) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by A. K. Lohithadas. A sequel to his 1989 film Kireedam, the story continues Sethumadhavan's (Mohanlal) story after his prison term and his life back into society. The movie was produced by Krishnakumar. It also features Thilakan, Surbhi Javeri Vyas, Keerikkadan Jose, and Kaviyoor Ponnamma. The film's music was composed by Johnson. Lohithadas won the Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Script for the film.

<i>Ulladakkam</i> 1991 Indian film

Ulladakkam (transl. Content) is 1991 Indian Malayalam-language psychological thriller film directed by Kamal and written by P. Balachandran from a story by Cheriyan Kalpakavadi. It stars Mohanlal, Shobana and Amala Akkineni. The film, produced by Suresh Balaje features a soundtrack composed by Ouseppachan. The plot follows a psychiatrist, Dr. Sunny (Mohanlal) and one of his patients, Reshma (Amala), who gets obsessed with him romantically, but Sunny is already engaged with Annie (Shobana). The film explores the phenomenon of transference.

<i>Kizhakkunarum Pakshi</i> 1991 Indian film

Kizhakkunarum Pakshi is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical tragedy drama film written and directed by Venu Nagavalli and produced by P. K. R. Pillai. It stars Mohanlal, Shankar, Murali, Rekha, Jagathy Sreekumar, Ashokan and Innocent. The music and background score of the film was composed by Raveendran

<i>Vadakkumnadhan</i> 2006 Indian film by Shajoon Kariyal

Vadakkumnadhan is a 2006 Indian Malayalam-language psychological drama film directed by Shajoon Kariyal and written by Gireesh Puthenchery. It stars Mohanlal as Iringannoor Bharatha Pisharody, a university professor diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The film also features Padmapriya and Kavya Madhavan. The songs were composed by Raveendran, while Ouseppachan provided the background score.

<i>Chamaram</i> 1980 Indian film

Chamaram is a 1980 Malayalam film written by John Paul Puthusery and directed by Bharathan, starring Nedumudi Venu, Zarina Wahab, Prathap Pothan and Ratheesh. The story is about the tumultuous affair between a student and his college lecturer, an uncommon type of love story in Indian Cinema. This film has the evergreen song "Nadha Nee Varum Kalocha Kelkkuvan", sung by S. Janaki. Chamaram considered one of the landmark movies in Malayalam film history. The film broke all conventional concepts and moral equations in love. The film become a trend in 1980s campus as well as youth. Chamaram is one of the evergreen campus movies in Malayalam cinema. C.M.S. College was the location of Chamaram.

<i>Teja Bhai & Family</i> 2011 Indian film

Teja Bhai and Family is a 2011 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film directed by Deepu Karunakaran, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Akhila Sasidharan, and Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead roles. One of the songs, Oru Madhura Kinavin, was sung by Vijay Yesudas. The original version of this song from the movie, Kanamarayathu, was sung by his father, K. J. Yesudas.

<i>Kamaladalam</i> 1992 film by Sibi Malayil

Kamaladalam is a 1992 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil, starring Mohanlal, Murali, Vineeth, Nedumudi Venu, Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair, Monisha, Parvathy Jayaram and Sukumari. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his company Pranavam Arts and features original songs composed by Raveendran with a background score by Johnson. The story was inspired by the Telugu film Sagara Sangamam directed by K. Viswanath.

<i>Dasharatham</i> 1989 Indian film

Dasharatham is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Rekha, Murali, Nedumudi Venu, Sukumaran, Karamana Janardanan Nair, Sukumari, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, and Jayabharathi. The music was composed by Johnson. The movie deals with the subject of traditional surrogacy

Sunitha is an Indian actress known for her roles in films made in South India from 1986 to 1996.

References

  1. "Dhanam". Archived from the original on 16 July 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  2. B. S., Shibu (20 May 2020). "A Fruitful Friendship: Mohanlal and Sibi Malayil". The New Indian Express . Archived from the original on 26 May 2020.
  3. Mathews, Anna (7 August 2019). "Mohanlal remembers actor Murali on his death anniversary". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 10 August 2019.
  4. R. Menon, Akhila (20 July 2020). "Fahadh Faasil: 'Malayalam Cinema Of The 80s Influenced Me A Lot'". FilmiBeat. Archived from the original on 21 July 2020.
  5. M., Athira (13 October 2016). "The mini-screen beckons". The Hindu .
  6. "Dhanam - Kairali movie". Archived from the original on 2 April 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  7. Pradeep, K. (16 April 2015). "In the memory of Lohithadas". The Hindu . Archived from the original on 4 January 2018.
  8. George, Meghna (29 June 2009). "A K Lohithadas (1955-2009): Tribute to a legend". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 11 July 2019.
  9. Sidhardhan, Sanjith (24 January 2017). "Mohanlal to drive a taxi again in Benz Vasu". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 24 April 2016.