Manichitrathazhu

Manichitrathazhu
Featuring Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, with Fazil holding on to a camera at the bottom
Theatrical release poster
Directed byFazil
Written byMadhu Muttam
Produced bySwargachitra Appachan
Starring
Cinematography
Edited byT. R. Shekar
Music bySongs:
M.G. Radhakrishnan
Background Score:
Johnson
Lyrics:
Bichu Thirumala
Production
company
Distributed bySwargachitra Release
Release date
  • 25 December 1993 (1993-12-25)
Running time
157 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹3 million[1][2]
Box office₹27.9 million
(original release) ₹47.1 million (re-release)[3]

Manichitrathazhu (transl. The Ornate Lock) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language psychological horror film directed by Fazil, written by Madhu Muttam and produced by Swargachitra Appachan.[4] The film stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and Shobana. It also features Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Vinaya Prasad, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Sridhar, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, Sudheesh.[5] The story is inspired by a tragedy that happened in the Alummoottil tharavad (an old traditional mansion), located at Muttom (near Haripad), belonging to a central Travancore Thiyya family, in the 19th century.[6] The inheritor of the Alummoottil property and his domestic worker girl were murdered by the son-in-law after he had been written-off from the marumakkathayam system of inheritance prevalent in Kerala at the time. The murder gave rise to many local legends which serve as the basis for the film. Muttam, the writer of the film, is a member of the Alummoottil tharavad through his maternal family.[7]

Sibi Malayil, Priyadarshan and Siddique–Lal served as the second-unit directors, who worked separately but simultaneously with Fazil to significantly speed up the filming process. The cinematography was done by Venu, Anandakuttan and Sunny Joseph served as the second-unit cinematographers, the film was edited by T. R. Shekar. The original songs were composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, while the original score was composed by Johnson. Mohanlal, though credited as a lead actor, has been noted to have only an extended cameo, the main role being that of Shobhana.[8] Shobhana who won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ganga / Nagavalli. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.[9][10] The film also won three Kerala state awards -- Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value (1994), Best Actress and Best Make-up Artist (PN Mani).[11]

The film dealt with an unusual theme which was not common in Indian cinema at the time.[12] The film completed 300 days of run in many theatres.[13][14] Manichitrathazhu was remade in four languages – in Kannada as Apthamitra (2004) (with some plot changes) which in turn was remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi (2005), in Bengali as Rajmohol (2005) and in Hindi as Bhool Bhulaiyaa  (2007)– all being commercially successful. Madhu has been credited as the sole writer for the remakes after he filed a copyright suit against Fazil when the latter started being listed as the writer of the original script in the remakes.[7][15] Geethaanjali, a spin-off directed by Priyadarshan with Mohanlal reprising the role of Dr. Sunny Joseph was made in 2013.

Manichitrathazhu is considered by many critics as one of the best films in Malayalam cinema and developed a cult following, years after its release.[16] It has also been regarded as one of the best psychological thrillers in Indian cinema.[17] It was listed among the "70 Iconic Films of Indian Cinema" by Mint in 2017.[18] A digitally remastered 4K Dolby Atmos version of Manichitrathazhu was released in theatres on 17 August 2024.[19]

  1. ^ Chandran, Priyesh (13 August 2024). "From 'Spadikam' to 'Manichitrathazhu': Understanding film remastering". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  2. ^ Gupta, Onam (5 November 2024). "Made in Rs 30 lakh, this horror film earned Rs 7 crore, ran for more than 300 days". India.com.
  3. ^ "മണിച്ചിത്രത്താഴ് റീ-റിലീസിൽ കൊയ്തത് കോടികൾ". Indian Express (in Malayalam). Retrieved 5 November 2024. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |translated title= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Made in Malayalam". The Times of India. 6 March 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  5. ^ "High five". The Hindu. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  6. ^ Filippo Osella, Caroline (2000). Social Mobility in Kerala: Modernity and Identity in Conflict. Pluto Press. p. 264. ISBN 0-7453-1693-X. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  7. ^ a b G., Venugopal (31 August 2024). "കോടതി കയറിയ മണിച്ചിത്രത്താഴ്; വരുമോ ഒരു രണ്ടാം ഭാഗം?" [Manichitrathazhu creator Madhu Muttam]. Mathrubhumi (in Malayalam). Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema". indiancine.ma. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  9. ^ "30 years on, 'Manichitrathazhu' still a blockbuster at Keraleeyam!". Onmanorama. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  10. ^ Staff, T. N. M. (4 November 2023). "Thirty years later, Manichitrathazhu has 2000 people waiting in queue for four hours". The News Minute. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  11. ^ Raj, Amal (17 August 2024). "31 years of 'Manichitrathazhu': A legacy set for its re-release". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  12. ^ "Of Bhool Bhulaiya, and a classic dumbed down". Rediff.com. 16 October 2007. Archived from the original on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2013.
  13. ^ George, A. B. (14 April 2020). "Highest Grossing Malayalam Movies (Year 1980–1999)". FilmBiopsy. Archived from the original on 3 October 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  14. ^ "Laila Majnu, Manichitrathazhu: Indians flock to cinemas to watch older films". BBC News. 26 August 2024. Retrieved 5 November 2024.
  15. ^ [Muttom vs Fazil] [2007] KHC 256 (19 September 2007), Kerala High Court.
  16. ^ "Best Malayalam Movies: 10 Malayalam films to watch before you die". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 June 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  17. ^ "India's 'best' psychological thriller turns 25". The Week. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
  18. ^ "70 Iconic Films of Indian Cinema". livemint.com.
  19. ^ "'Manichitrathazhu': 4K restored version of Shobana, Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi starrer gets a release date". The Hindu. 18 July 2024. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 28 July 2024.