Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans

Last updated

Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans
Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans.jpg
Directed by Shaji Kailas
Written by Renji Panicker
Produced by
  • Joemon
  • Ramdan Poyyeri
Starring
Cinematography Anandakuttan
Edited byL.Bhoominathan
Music byRajamani
Release date
  • 1993 (1993)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans is 1993 Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Renji Panicker. The film revolved around the current affairs of Kerala in 90s and was a commercial success.

Contents

It severely criticized the political establishments and exposed the unholy equations of politics, whereby inviting strong opposition from different political quarters. Jagadish, who played the role of a common man, accidentally becoming the home minister of the state was well received by the audience, where the film is considered as a turning point in Jagadish's career, who was until hooked up in comedy roles. Suresh Gopi made a cameo appearance in the film.

Plot

Lying on the suburbs of the city, the Hindustan Colony is an Indian colony, populated mainly by middle-class and lower-class people who are busy with their own day-to-day issues. The problem of drinking water has been a serious issue, which has been neglected by the ruling class for several years for their political gains. Gopalakrishnan, a resident of the colony, is an educated youth, who works as a newspaper delivery man.

Along with his group of friends, Gopalakrishnan is active in all social and cultural activities, and is in love with Gowri, the daughter of Poomukhath Kurup, a corrupt business contractor, who happens to be his uncle too. Kurup has been instrumental in the death of Gopalakrishnan's father, giving rise to their bittern enmity. The Kerala State politics is in great flux turmoil at this time with group factionalism and party infighting, where CM Govinda Menon is in all efforts to retain power, despite strong opposition from within his own party.

Kunhikannan Nambiar, a seasoned and cunning politician, is all set to take up power by usurping the CM's position. The sudden death of a minister named Marukandam Madhavan, after being forced into a swimming pool by his daughter, demands a re-election, which is crucial for the ministry to survive. Kunhikanan Nambiar uses his political clout and demands the vacated seat for one of his loyalists. Govinda Menon had to reluctantly agree with Nambiar to choose the candidate for the seat under a set of conditions. Nambiar decides to field Gopalakrishnan, who enjoys a strong influence among the people, on request of the party workers from the Hindustan Colony.

Gopalakrishnan, who has no political experience, thus becomes a candidate with the support of his friends and wins the election with a stunning majority, but Nambiar doesn't ends his game with this. In the party meeting, Nambiar argues for a ministry and makes Gopalakrishnan as the state's Home Minister. With a lethal mindset and mysterious underworld connections, Nambiar wants the home ministry in his hands to ensure the easy flow of weapons through the state, but Gopalakrishnan starts performing in his own capacity, which shocks Nambiar thereby scattering his own plans. Gopalakrishnan wins the heart of Govinda Menon, where he announces a free policing system and cleansing law and order.

Mohammed Iqbal, a young and dynamic police commissioner, is assigned the task of cleaning up the city, where he arrests the goons of Nambiar, annoying him to the best. Nambiar's order to release the goons is ignored by the Minister. Nambiar also prevents the plans to ignite communal violence in the city, but he decides to start a revolt from Hindustan Colony itself. Nambiar's plan to divide the people of the Hindustan Colony into communal lines shows results, which creates minor scuffles in the peaceful colony. Subair, Gopalakrishnan's childhood friend, who is on leave from the Indian Army, tries to mediate and settle issues.

Several temples and mosques are now raided by police on special order from the Home minister, whereby several deadly weapons, including guns and bombs, are found by police. This issue creates problems in the state. Nambiar masterminds a huge communal violence in the city, mainly at Hindustan Colony. In the riots, Nambiar's goons set fire to several houses, and attacks several women, including Subair's sister. In an attempt to save her, Subair is killed. During his visit to the colony, Gopalakrishnan faces a severe protest from the people, including his dear ones, who accuse him of being a mass murderer.

Gopalakrishnan resigns, but Govinda Menon does not approve of his resignation, where he asks Gopalakrishnan to show his power at this moment by exposing the real culprits in front of society. Along with a mob, Gopalakrishnan raids the stores and garages of Nambiar, seizing several explosives. The mob goes violent and attacks Nambiar and sets him on fire, along with his partners.

Cast

Reception

Upon release, Sthalathe Pradhan Payyans broke several records in collections and completed 150 days in major centers. [1] This film took both Shaji Kailas and Renji Panicker to new heights. This film got released within weeks after the Ayodhya issue and Mumbai communal riots, and the similar scenes shown on screen, created a sensation in the state.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narendra Prasad</span> Indian actor (1946–2003)

Raghava Kurup Narendra Prasad was an Indian actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikkara in the erstwhile Kingdom of Travancore. Appreciated for his body language and performance by the audience and critics, he is known for portraying character roles and villain characters in Malayalam films.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jagadish Kumar</span> Indian actor, screenwriter, cinematographer, and politician

P. V. Jagadish Kumar known mononymously as Jagadish, is an Indian actor, screenwriter, television presenter and former politician. He has starred in over 375 Malayalam films and 2 Hindi films. He is best known for his comic and character roles. Jagadish starred in over 50 films as the lead actor during the 1990s. He was one of the bankable lead stars in Malayalam cinema during the 1990s, along with Mukesh, Siddique, Sreenivasan and Jayaram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shaji Kailas</span> Indian film director (born 1965)

Shaji Kailas is an Indian film director and screenwriter known for his works in Malayalam cinema. Shaji got a breakthrough with the comedy film Dr. Pasupathy (1990).

<i>Pathram</i> 1999 film directed by Joshiy

Pathram (transl. Newspaper) is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film written by Renji Panicker and directed by Joshi, starring Suresh Gopi, Manju Warrier, Murali, N. F. Varghese, Biju Menon, Abhirami.

<i>Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu</i> 1986 Indian film

Mazha Peyyunnu Maddalam Kottunnu is a 1986 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Sreenivasan from a story by Jagadish. It stars an ensemble cast led by Mohanlal, Mukesh, Sreenivasan, Jagathi Sreekumar, Maniyanpilla Raju, Kuthiravattam Pappu and Lissy. Mammootty appears in a brief cameo role. The film was one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. It is now considered one of the best comedy films in Malayalam cinema. The film was remade in Telugu as Saradaga Kasepu and in Tamil as Manandhal Mahadevan (1989).

Renji Panicker is an Indian actor, scriptwriter, director, film producer, and journalist best known for his Malayalam films. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005.

<i>Commissioner</i> (film) 1994 Indian film

Commissioner is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Ranji Panicker, and produced by M. Mani. It stars Suresh Gopi as Police Commissioner Bharath Chandran IPS, and also features Ratheesh, Shobana, Vijayaraghavan, M. G. Soman, Rajan P. Dev, K. B. Ganesh Kumar, N. F. Varghese, Karamana Janardanan Nair, and Maniyanpilla Raju in pivotal roles. The background score was composed by Rajamani.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">K. B. Ganesh Kumar</span> Indian actor and politician

Keezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar is an Indian actor, television host, and politician. Ganesh Kumar is a proposed cabinet minister for the last 2.5 years in the ongoing 2nd LDF govt in Kerala and he is also the current MLA of KC(B) representing the Pathanapuram constituency in Kollam, Kerala. He made his debut as an actor in the film Irakal (1985) directed by K. G. George. He has starred in over 100 Malayalam films, performing a variety of roles.

<i>Roudram</i> 2008 Indian film

Roudram is a 2008 Indian Malayalam-language action crime film directed by Renji Panicker. Mammootty plays the lead role of a dedicated police officer. Sai Kumar, Vijayaraghavan, and Rajan P Dev play other leading roles. The film was a commercial success at the box office.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janardhanan (actor)</span> Indian film actor and producer

Janardhanan Nair is an Indian actor, producer and a former Indian Airforce personnel who predominantly acts in Malayalam films. He acted in his first feature film Adyathe Kadha, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan in 1971, he acted in more than 700 films. He started his career when Malayalam films were made in black and white. He is known for his style of handling humour and his iconic voice. He started his career playing brusque villains and sub hero roles in the 1970s and early 1980s, acting along with Prem Nazir and Jayan, but later established himself as a highly sought-after comedian.

<i>Thalastaanam</i> 1992 Indian film

Thalasthanam is a 1992 Malayalam-language crime action film written by Renji Panicker, directed by Shaji Kailas and produced by S. Henry under the banner of Christ King Productions. The film stars Suresh Gopi in the lead role, along with Geetha, Narendra Prasad, Monisha, M. G. Soman, Ganesh Kumar and Vijayakumar in supporting roles. The basic plot revolves around Hari and his revenge against the people who murdered his brother, Unnikrishnan. The film explores the concepts of campus politics and the impact of anti social elements in students.

<i>Ekalavyan</i> (film) 1993 Indian Malayalam language film

Ekalavyan is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language neo-noir action thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Renji Panicker, starring Suresh Gopi in the lead role along with Siddique, Geetha, Narendra Prasad, Vijayaraghavan, Ganesh Kumar, Janardhanan, Madhu, Maathu, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kuthiravattam Pappu, and Devan in other pivotal roles. The plot revolves around a cop named Madhavan, who is hired by the CBI to investigate a godman, who is suspected of being involved in narcotics business and murders.

<i>Bharathchandran I.P.S.</i> 2005 film by Renji Panicker

Bharathchandran I.P.S is a 2005 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film written, directed and produced by Renji Panicker. It is a sequel to the 1994 action film Commissioner and Suresh Gopi reprises the title character. It also features Sai Kumar, Rajan P. Dev, Mamukkoya, Shreya Reddy, and Lalu Alex in supporting roles. The background score was composed by C. Rajamani. The film was a major commercial success at the box office and ran for more than 100 days

<i>Junior Mandrake</i> 1997 Indian film

Junior Mandrake is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language comedy film directed by Ramasimhan aka Ali Akbar and written by Benny P. Nayarambalam from a story by Arun Kudamaloor. The plot revolves around the carriers of a mysterious bust named Junior Mandrake, which is believed to bring misfortune to those who possess it. The film stars Jagadish, Jagathy Sreekumar, Rajan P. Dev and Janardhanan. The music was provided by the Berny-Ignatius duo. The bust in the movie eventually developed into a cult and is often referred during several situations in the life of a Malayali. In 2010, a sequel titled Senior Mandrake was released.

<i>Rudraksham</i> 1994 Indian film

Rudraksham is a 1994 action Malayalam film starring Suresh Gopi, Annie and Devan. Written by Ranjith and directed by Shaji Kailas. This film was criticized for extreme violence.

<i>Praja</i> 2001 Indian film

Praja (transl. Citizen) is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language political action thriller film directed by Joshiy and written by Renji Panicker. It was also produced by Joshiy and Panicker. The film stars Mohanlal, Cochin Haneefa, Biju Menon, Manoj K Jayan and Babu Namboothiri. Bollywood actor Anupam Kher appears in a guest role. The film's songs were composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, while C. Rajamani provided the background score. This movie become great opening of the box office and but failure to continue.

<i>The King</i> (1995 film) 1995 Indian Malayalam film by Shaji Kailas

The King is a 1995 Indian Malayalam-language political action thriller film written by Renji Panicker and directed by Shaji Kailas, with Mammootty in the lead role as district collector. In 2012, Shaji Kailas made a combined sequel titled The King and the Commissioner, in which Mammootty and Suresh Gopi reprised their roles as Joseph Alex IAS and Bharatchandran IPS. The film was released on October 23 1995, coinciding with Diwali, where it was declared one of the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time.

<i>The Truth</i> (1998 film) 1998 Indian film

The Truth is a 1998 Malayalam-language police procedural thriller film written by S. N. Swamy and directed by Shaji Kailas. Mammootty plays the lead role of an IPS officer investigating a political assassination of the CM. The film was dubbed in Tamil as Unmai and in Telugu as Delhi Simham. It was remade in Kannada as Naxalite in 2000.

Krishnankutty Nair was an Indian actor who worked in Malayalam cinema. He was from Pippinmoodu, near Sasthamangalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. Nair worked with various theatre groups before becoming a film actor.

<i>Kasaba</i> (2016 film) 2016 Indian Malayalam film by Nithin Renji Panicker

Kasaba is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language action thriller film written and directed by Nithin Renji Panicker, starring Mammootty, along with Neha Saxena as his pair, while Varalaxmi, Sampath Raj, and Jagadish played the important supporting roles. The first day gross was the highest for a Malayalam film. The film ended up grossing 14.37 crore (US$1.8 million)

References

  1. "Day of the action heroes". The Hindu . 22 March 2012.