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Charithram
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| Charithram | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | G. S. Vijayan |
| Written by | S. N. Swamy |
| Starring | Mammootty Rahman Lizy Shobhana |
| Music by | Rajamani M. G. Radhakrishnan |
Production company | Suryodaya Creations |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Charithram (transl. History) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language thriller film starring Mammootty and Rahman, along with Shobana, Lizy, Jagathy Sreekumar, Janardhanan, Murali and Pappu in other pivotal roles. It was written by S. N. Swamy and directed by G. S. Vijayan in his directorial debut.[1] The story is loosely based on the 1958 film Chase a Crooked Shadow, the title of which is openly mentioned in one of the dialogues in the movie. The film tells the story of Philip who is desperate to prove that Raju is not his brother but a lookalike and an imposter. It is considered one of the best thriller movies in Malayalam.[2]
Plot
[edit]Philip Manavaalan is the owner of a financing company in Kerala and the movie begins with his wedding preparations. After the wedding, Philip's wife, Cecily is curious about Raju, Philip's dead brother and so Philip relates the story of Raju to Cecily.
Raju was young, vibrant and a man of many talents. However, he soon fell prey to the world of drugs and started extracting money to buy drugs from his brother by hook or by crook. Philip, upon learning of his brother's drug problem, admitted him into a rehab facility. Raju appeared to recover and was then sent to Madras (Tamil Nadu) for further studies. On one of his visits to Chennai, Philip realised that Raju had reverted to his old ways and was worse than ever before. One night, Raju stole some money and absconded with Philip's car. Philip later learned of this when he received a call informing him that his car had met with an accident and the car's driver had perished in the explosion. Philip performed the last rites on his brother's body, which was burnt beyond recognition, in Chennai itself and returned to Kerala. Cecily sympathises with her husband and soon gets over this sad incident.
However one day, suddenly Raju returns home and surprises everyone. Philip has a hard time believing that this man is his brother. He performs many tests to prove whether the man is really his brother Raju. He is assisted by his friends in all these tests, but every test yields positive results. Soon almost everyone is convinced that it was indeed Raju who had come back. However, Philip is still doubtful. Meanwhile, Renu the daughter of Philip's friend Cherian a police officer, who had been betrothed to Raju, convinced that Raju had come back, begins an affair with him. Philip sees this and informs Cherian about it. Cherian talks to his daughter trying to convince her what a mistake it would be if it is not Raju. But Renu is adamant and expresses her belief that Raju had returned and also tells that she will marry none but Raju. So, Cherian visits Philip along with their common friend John, who is a lawyer to propose Renu for Raju. But Philip refuses, saying that he doesn't believe it is his brother who had come back. Everyone gets frustrated that Philip still won't accept Raju in spite of the positive results of all the tests conducted before.
At last, Cherian decides to perform a scientific test to prove the truth. He goes to Chennai where Raju's body had been cremated and excavates the remains. He takes a picture of the skull and a picture of Raju and superimposes the two. It doesn't match! Upon reaching his house, he calls John and Shivan Kutty to inform them about this. They go to his house and wait for Philip to come. He comes soon after in the hope that Cherian has got evidence to prove that Raju was dead and it was an impostor who had taken his place. But when he arrives, he finds Cherian in a happy state. Cherian passes on the information to Philip and shows him the super-imposed picture that doesn't match. But still Philip is not convinced. When questioned why, he replies that Raju died lying in his hands. Cherian asks him to elaborate.
Philip then reveals that Raju had not died in a car accident as he said to everyone. The day he died, Raju stole money from Philip's cupboard and tried to escape with it. Philip stopped him and asked him where he was going. Raju rudely said that he was leaving as he could no longer live with Philip. He took the money so that he could live the way he wanted to. Philip begged Raju not to go and ruin himself in bad company. Raju did not listen and tried to go, but Philip held him back. Raju pushed him away. In anger, Philip slapped Raju who lost his balance and fell from the first floor to the ground, breaking his neck and head in the fall. Philip rushed down to his brother and lifted him. But Raju died soon. Shocked at what he had mistakenly done, Philip cries holding his brother's body. Suddenly he realised that he will be held guilty for Raju's death. Seeing no way to prove his innocence, he decides to dispose of Raju's body. He drives to Chennai with Raju's body in his car, pushes the car down a cliff which explodes on impact and returns to Kerala.
Upon hearing Philip's confession, Cherian reveals he already knew about Raju's accidental murder thanks to a Chennai police officer by the name of Akbar who was investigating the same case. But to prove that Philip was the real murderer, Cherian and Akbar hire Albert, a lookalike of Raju to impersonate the latter. Realizing that he was tricked, an ashamed Philip turns himself in. Before he is taken away by Akbar to Chennai, Philip requests Albert to take care of Cicily and marry Renu.
Cast
[edit]- Mammootty as Philipose Manavalan (Thampi)
- Rahman in dual role as :
- Raju Manavalan
- Albert
- Lizy as Renu
- Shobana as Cecily
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Shivan Kutty
- Janardanan as Cherian
- Murali as Advocate George
- Kuthiravattam Pappu as Nellimattom Krishnan
- Bobby Kottarakkara as Chinnan
- Jagannathan as Sadanandan
- Nandu
- Jalaja as Gracy
- Poojappura Ravi as Kurup
- Adoor Bhawani
- Ramu as Akbar
- Dinesh Panicker as Dr. Sreenivasan
- Anthony Palakkan as SI Rajan
- Harikeshan Thampi as Dr. Pandian
- Disco Shanti (special appearance)
References
[edit]- ^ "Charithram Movie details". malayalachalachithram. Retrieved 28 November 2014.
- ^ Narayanan, Nirmal (20 January 2020). "Six evergreen crime thriller movies of Mammootty in Mollywood that the world should not miss". www.ibtimes.co.in. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
External links
[edit]- Charithram at IMDb
Charithram
View on GrokipediaPlot
Synopsis
Philipose Manavalan, the owner of a successful financing company, lives a comfortable life with his wife Cecily until the past resurfaces in an unexpected way. Years earlier, his younger brother Raju had fallen into severe drug addiction, leading to repeated rehabilitations and family strife; Philipose recounts how Raju was sent away for treatment, only to meet a tragic end in what was reported as a fatal car accident. The accident, involving a fiery crash, left no identifiable remains, allowing Philipose to move forward, though haunted by the loss.[4] One day, a man arrives at their home, claiming to be the long-lost Raju, miraculously survived from the wreckage and amnesiac from his injuries. Philipose immediately harbors deep suspicions, convinced this individual is an imposter exploiting their shared resemblance for some ulterior motive. To unmask him, Philipose enlists the help of trusted friends and devises a series of tests, including probing family interactions where the man falters in recalling intimate childhood memories and quizzing him on personal details only the real Raju would know. Cecily, initially overjoyed at the prospect of reunion, becomes caught in the growing tension, as the household dynamics strain under Philipose's mounting paranoia and the imposter's insistent claims.[4][2] As confrontations escalate, the thriller intensifies with moments of doubt, where Philipose's allies question his obsession, and subtle manipulations by the returned "Raju" sow seeds of uncertainty. In a climactic breakdown, Philipose confesses the harrowing truth: during a heated argument over Raju's relapse and theft from the family business, he accidentally caused his brother's death and staged the car accident to cover it up, burying the guilt deep within. The revelation shatters the facade—the man is indeed a hired lookalike, Albert (also played by Rahman), orchestrated by Philipose's friends Cherian and Akbar who suspected the cover-up and sought to force a moral reckoning. Overwhelmed by exposure, Philipose surrenders to the authorities, bringing closure to the web of deception and familial betrayal.Themes
Charithram examines the theme of identity deception through Philipose's relentless suspicion that his returned brother Raju is an imposter, creating a rift in familial bonds and underscoring the psychological strain of doubt on trust.[5] This motif highlights how perceived betrayal erodes the foundation of family relationships, as Philipose enlists friends to test Raju's authenticity, amplifying paranoia and emotional isolation within the household.[1] The film critiques drug addiction's devastating societal and familial consequences, exemplified by Raju's descent into substance abuse amid the 1980s youth rebellion culture, which leads to financial exploitation of his brother and ultimate personal ruin.[6] Raju's arc portrays addiction not merely as individual vice but as a corrosive force that fractures family unity and reflects broader cultural vulnerabilities to drugs, sex, and countercultural excesses.[6] Philipose's internal turmoil embodies themes of guilt and redemption, driven by the consequences of concealed truths from his past, culminating in a narrative where self-reckoning becomes the path to atonement rather than external absolution.[1] His conflict illustrates how suppressed remorse festers, influencing decisions that perpetuate deception until revelation forces a painful introspection.[1] Moral ambiguity pervades the film's portrayal of justice, where the unmasking of hidden realities imposes self-inflicted punishment on the characters, bypassing conventional retribution and emphasizing personal accountability over societal judgment.[5] This approach critiques simplistic notions of right and wrong, showing how exposure amplifies internal suffering as the true penalty for moral failings.[1]Cast
Main cast
Mammootty as Philipose Manavalan (Thampi), the protagonist and elder brother who owns a financing company.[1][7] Rahman in a dual role as Raju Manavalan and Albert, the younger brother.[8][7] Shobana as Cicily, Philipose's wife.[7][3]Supporting cast
Lizy as Renu, Raju's fiancée.[9][3] Jagathy Sreekumar as Shivankutty (Ambili), Philipose's associate.[10][9][3] Janardhanan as DSP Cheriyan, a police officer and Philipose's friend.[3][9] Murali as Advocate John, a lawyer and friend.[3][9] Kuthiravattam Pappu as Nellimattam Krishnan, Philipose's associate.[8][9][3]Production
Development
Charithram marked the directorial debut of G. S. Vijayan in feature films.[11] The screenplay was penned by S. N. Swamy, a screenwriter renowned for his suspenseful and thriller narratives in Malayalam cinema.[12] Swamy's script loosely adapted the 1958 British film Chase a Crooked Shadow, incorporating key plot parallels such as the imposter twist and intense family confrontations while infusing local cultural elements.[13] The production was handled by Sooryodaya Creations, led by producer G. Suresh Kumar.[3] Mammootty and Rahman were cast in the pivotal roles of the brothers.[1] Development took place in 1988. This approach allowed the film to explore intricate emotional confrontations, setting it apart in the Malayalam thriller landscape.[12]Filming
Principal photography for Charithram took place primarily in Kerala, with urban sets constructed to represent the financing company and rural locations selected for the family home to emphasize themes of isolation. The shooting schedule was completed in late 1988, during which the crew focused on close-up shots to intensify the psychological tension in the thriller narrative.[3] Cinematography by G. S. Nair incorporated techniques such as the strategic use of shadows and confined spaces to amplify suspense and unease throughout the film, as directed by G. S. Vijayan. The script's influence on shot choices was evident in sequences like the imposter tests, which required precise blocking to maintain narrative ambiguity.[1] Filming presented challenges in coordinating dual-actor scenes to portray the complex brother dynamic, with the production opting for minimal action sequences in favor of dialogue-driven suspense to sustain the story's intrigue.Music
Composition
The music for Charithram was composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan for the original songs and Rajamani for the background score.[3] This dual approach allowed for targeted contributions, with Radhakrishnan handling melodic elements and Rajamani focusing on atmospheric support.[14] The film includes a single original song, "Aanandam Poovidum," composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, with lyrics penned by S. Ramesan Nair and vocals by M. G. Sreekumar.[15] This limited song placement aligns with the thriller's narrative demands, providing emotional relief during family-oriented scenes without disrupting the pace.[16]Track listing
The soundtrack of Charithram features a single vocal song, with the background score composed by Rajamani.[3]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist | Composer | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Aanandam Poovidum" | M. G. Sreekumar | S. Ramesan Nair | M. G. Radhakrishnan | 3:30 |
