Harikrishnans
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| Harikrishnans | |
|---|---|
Poster | |
| Directed by | Fazil |
| Written by | Fazil |
| Dialogues by | |
| Produced by | Suchitra Mohanlal |
| Starring | Mammootty Mohanlal Juhi Chawla Kunchacko Boban Innocent |
| Cinematography | Anandakuttan |
| Edited by | T. R. Shekar K. R. Gaurishankar |
| Music by | Ouseppachan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Pranavam Arts |
Release date |
|
Running time | 172 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Budget | ₹2.5 crore[2] |
Harikrishnans is a 1998 Indian Malayalam-language mystery buddy comedy film written and directed by Fazil. The film was produced and distributed by Suchitra Mohanlal under the production company Pranavam Arts, starring Mammootty and Mohanlal in the title roles. Juhi Chawla, Innocent, Shamili, Nedumudi Venu, Cochin Haneefa, Jagadish, Maniyanpilla Raju and Kunchacko Boban play the supporting cast. The film received a great pre-release hype due to the combined screen presence of Mammootty and Mohanlal after 8 years. It was released theatrically on 4 September 1998, coinciding with Onam, to critical acclaim and emerged as a commercial success.[3] It was the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year.[4] It was later dubbed into Tamil with the same name.
The film initially had two endings when released, where the heroine chose Mammootty in one version and Mohanlal in the other one. This was an attempt by the filmmakers to satisfy the fanbases of both Mammootty and Mohanlal, who were each popular in different regions of Kerala. However, only one version was submitted to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) for censorship approval.[5][6] The producers were embroiled in legal actions after that,[6] but the gimmick helped the film to bring in millions of rupees. This was an upturn for the Malayalam film industry, which had been generating unsuccessful films for quite some time.[5]
Plot
[edit]The Harikrishnans are one of the most famous lawyer duo in India. They head the organization called Harikrishnan Associates, which consists of around 300 lawyers. They get engaged in a murder case of Guptan, who was allegedly killed by a hearing and speech impaired woodcutter, Gabriel. Gabriel is a friend of Hari's sister and Harikrishnans become the defence lawyers upon her request.
The Harikrishnans begin an investigation and come across Meera, a friend of Guptan. Both of them fall in love with her. After some trouble over the matter, they rediscover their friendship and get involved in the case again. They discover that Guptan actually died due to poisoning by his relatives who were doctors who wanted to amass his wealth. The culprits are captured and Guptan's elderly father accepts Sudarshanan, a former student of Guptan, as his son and successor to the property.
In the end, Meera opts for a random method to choose her life partner, as she is equally fond of both Harikrishnans. She decides to toss a leaf, with the name it lands on being designated as her friend, who would then choose who should marry her. The leaf lands on Hari's name, and it is presumed that she makes him her friend. It is likely that Hari would suggest Krishnan as the one to marry her.
Alternate ending
[edit]In the uncensored cut of the film, the leaf lands on Krishnan's name, and it is presumed that she makes him her friend. It is likely that Krishnan would suggest Hari as the one to marry her.
There was another ending planned with Shah Rukh Khan. He was proposed to do the role of the lover of Meera. But due to some technical problems it was cancelled.[7]
Cast
[edit]- Mammootty as Hari
- Mohanlal as Krishnan
- Juhi Chawla as Meera (voiced by Sreeja Ravi)
- Kunchako Boban as Sudarshanan
- Innocent as Adv. Sundaresan
- Nedumudi Venu as Thampuran (Thirumanassu), Guptan's elderly father
- Baby Shamili as Ammalu, Hari's younger sister and Krishnan's cousin
- Rajiv Menon as Guptan, Meera's friend
- Cochin Haneefa as Kunjikuttan, Meera's cousin
- V. K. Sreeraman as Gabriel, who is both deaf and dumb (gets implicated in Guptan's murder)
- Krishna as Pavi, Sudarshanan's friend
- Sudheesh as Sudarshanan's Friend
- Poojappura Ravi as Ramabhadran [Ramappan], Thampuran's sinister younger cousin
- Venu Nagavalli as Kallurkaatil Vishwambharan, Meera's father
- Jagadish as Public Prosecutor Appukuttan Nair
- Maniyanpilla Raju as Kunjikuttan's Advocate
- Hemanth Ravan as Dr Jaya Kumar, Ramappan's elder son and Guptan's cousin (who murdered Guptan)
- Baburaj as Prem Kumar, Ramappan's younger son and Guptan's cousin (who murdered Guptan)
- Reena as Sharadha, Meera's mother
- Sajitha Betti as Ammalu's friend, Nisha
- Saranya Mohan as Ammalu's Friend
- Kanakalatha as Ammalu's neighbour
- Sankaradi as Kunjikelu
- Krishna Prasad as Sudarshanan's friend
- K.P.A.C. Sunny as Judge
- V.P. Ramachandran as Ammalu's neighbour
- Augustine as Sasi, Kunjikuttan's driver
- K. P. Ummer as Sudarshanan's Hostel Warden
- Yadu Krishnan as Sudarshanan's friend
- Jereesh James as Sudarshanan's friend
- Vijayan Peringode as Temple Poojaari at Kovilakkam
- Jose Pellissery as Jose-paapa, the guard at Ammalu's neighbourhood in Ponoor
- Antony Perumbavoor as Ambulance driver Antony
Soundtrack
[edit]| Harikrishnans | |
|---|---|
| Soundtrack album by | |
| Released | 1998 |
| Studios | VGP Digital, Chennai |
| Genre | Soundtrack |
| Label | Johny Sagariga |
| Producer | Ouseppachan |
All lyrics are written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri; all music is composed by Ouseppachan.
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ponnambal Puzhayirampil" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | |
| 2. | "Ponne Ponnambili" | K. J. Yesudas | |
| 3. | "Pooja Bimbam" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | |
| 4. | "Ponnambal Puzhayirampil" | K. S. Chithra | |
| 5. | "Samayamithapoorva" | M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | |
| 6. | "Minnal Kaivala" | Sujatha Mohan | |
| 7. | "Minnal Kaivala" (Violin Solo) | Ouseppachan | |
| 8. | "Samayamithapoorva" | K. J. Yesudas |
K. J. Yesudas sang his parts in two different voices, to simulate the singing of both the lead actors during the song sequences in the film.
Release
[edit]Harikrishnans had multiple climaxes to appease the fan base of the lead actors Mammootty and Mohanlal. This created a spark of controversy among the fans. The scene was when Meera (Juhi Chawla) chooses one of them to be her friend among both the Harikrishnans. She admires both equally and goes for a selection method which her grandmother taught her, whenever she had to make tough decisions. She sets the method so as to choose her friend; the loser of the toss presumably becoming Mira's life partner. One of the climax shots shows Hari (Mammootty) winning the toss and the other one Krishnan (Mohanlal) winning it.[8]
Critical reception
[edit]Jayalakshmi K. of Deccan Herald wrote "Perhaps if Fazil had decided what he wanted, a love story or a murder case, the movie might have fared better."[9] Padmanabha Venugopal of Indian Express wrote "Though it is entertaining, the movie doesn't have the support of a good script. Though the presence of two big-wigs and the controversy over the ending all made it spin money, artistically the movie suffered".[10] D. S. Ramanujam of The Hindu called it "another fine example of director Fazil's directorial acumen" and added that the two lead actors "are in the thick of the drama right through and share the acting honours with their elegant performances".[11]
Box office
[edit]The film's budget was ₹2.5 crore (US$260,000) and recovered its cost within two weeks.[2] The film collected ₹5.6 lakh (US$5,800) from first week beating the previous record of Aaraam Thampuran, which was ₹4 lakh (US$4,200).[12] The film was a commercial success and the highest grosser of the year.[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Team of 48". Rediff.com. 1 September 1998. Archived from the original on 6 April 2018. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
- ^ a b "Twice tossed gamble". India Today. 5 October 1998. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 13 March 2015.
- ^ B, Shibu (19 August 2021). "In second Onam season without film releases, a recap of Malayalam star wars". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ "What Was The Biggest Malayalam Hit In The Year You Were Born?". Film Companion. 19 July 2020. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b Radhakrishnan, M. G. (5 October 1998). "Two endings of 'Harikrishnans' make it a hit but run into rough weather with CBFC". India Today. Archived from the original on 2 August 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ a b Jose, D. (6 October 1998). "Double trouble". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2023. Retrieved 19 December 2018.
- ^ "Did you know Shah Rukh Khan was cast in a Malayalam movie?". The Times of India. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "Hari gets Meera, so does Krishnan in Fazil's Harikrishnans". The Indian Express. 12 September 1998. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) - ^ K, Jayalakshmi (29 November 1998). "Harikrishnans (Malayalam)". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 28 January 1999. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ Venugopal, Padmanabha. "Artistic failure". The Indian Express. Archived from the original on 1 February 2023. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
- ^ Ramanujam, D. S. (30 April 1999). "Film Reviews: Knock Off/Harikrishnans/A Bug's Life". The Hindu. p. 28. Archived from the original on 8 December 2000. Retrieved 14 March 2024.
- ^ "The win-win situation". Rediff. 14 September 1998. Archived from the original on 4 December 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "'Nothing, neither criticism nor compliment, affects me'". Rediff. 11 March 1999. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
- ^ "All is not lost..." Rediff.com. 7 December 1998. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2017.
External links
[edit]Harikrishnans
View on GrokipediaProduction
Development
Fazil developed the script for Harikrishnans as a mystery buddy comedy centered on two protagonists portrayed by Mammootty and Mohanlal, marking a deliberate pairing of Malayalam cinema's leading actors in a collaborative lead dynamic. The screenplay emphasized their characters' professional partnership as lawyers alongside elements of romantic competition, with pre-production focusing on balancing screen time and narrative prominence to leverage their combined star power.[4] Production responsibilities fell to Suchitra Mohanlal under Pranavam Arts, the banner established by Mohanlal for high-profile projects, ensuring logistical support and distribution aligned with the film's ambitious commercial scope budgeted at ₹2.5 crore. Mohanlal's direct involvement extended beyond acting, influencing key pre-production choices to facilitate the dual-lead structure. This setup reflected Pranavam Arts' track record of backing star-driven ventures, following earlier successes like Kaalapani (1996).[5] A pivotal scripting decision involved conceiving dual endings during the writing phase, where the female lead selects either Mohanlal's or Mammootty's character as her partner, allowing separate versions to be screened regionally based on audience demographics. This approach, described by Mammootty as a "sneaky" tactic to encourage repeat viewings by satisfying divergent fan loyalties, aimed to mitigate risks of alienating supporters of either star without altering the core investigative plot. The strategy originated from awareness of the actors' polarized fan bases, prompting Fazil to film both climaxes preemptively rather than post-release edits.[6][7]Casting
Mammootty and Mohanlal were cast in the dual lead roles of the lawyer friends Hari and Krishnan, drawing on their real-life camaraderie while navigating the competitive dynamics of their respective fanbases.[1] The selection aimed to harness the star power of these two Malayalam cinema icons, whose pairing was anticipated to generate significant box-office interest amid longstanding rivalries between supporters.[7] To mitigate perceptions of favoritism and ensure equitable portrayal, director Fazil balanced their screen time, a decision that extended to filming two alternate endings where the female lead selects one or the other.[6][8] This approach was explicitly intended to appease fans of both actors, reflecting the production's sensitivity to audience divisions.[7] Juhi Chawla was chosen for the central female role of Meera, representing her only venture into Malayalam cinema.[1] Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was considered for an extended cameo as a potential romantic rival to the leads, with discussions even exploring a third ending featuring his character, but he ultimately proved unavailable due to prior commitments.[9][10] The supporting ensemble featured Innocent as Advocate Sundaresan, contributing comedic elements, alongside Nedumudi Venu as Thampuran and Kunchacko Boban in key roles to enhance narrative depth.[11]Filming
Principal photography for Harikrishnans occurred primarily at locations across Kerala, selected to reflect the film's regional setting and cultural elements.[5] Fazil directed the shoot, with cinematography by Anandakuttan, who captured the visuals emphasizing the duo protagonists' dynamic.[11] A key logistical challenge was synchronizing the availability of lead actors Mammootty and Mohanlal, whose packed commitments as top stars complicated the production timeline.[12] To accommodate divided audience loyalties, the team filmed two separate climax sequences during principal photography: one in which the female lead pairs with Hari (Mammootty) and another with Krishnan (Mohanlal).[6][13]Plot
Synopsis
Harikrishnans centers on two accomplished lawyers, Hari (Mohanlal) and Krishnan (Mammootty), who share a deep childhood friendship and operate as a renowned duo handling criminal cases across India.[14] The narrative unfolds when they reunite to probe the murder of Guptan, a college lecturer and guardian to the young woman Annie (Juhi Chawla), with police suspecting a hearing- and speech-impaired woodcutter named Gabriel as the perpetrator.[15] Annie enlists their aid to uncover the truth behind the crime, drawing the friends into a web of investigation that intertwines legal proceedings and personal entanglements.[2] As Hari and Krishnan delve deeper, employing courtroom tactics and detective work, both unexpectedly develop romantic affections for Annie, sparking humorous rivalries and straining their longstanding bond.[15] The story weaves elements of mystery through revelations about the murder's circumstances, comedic clashes between the protagonists, and romantic tensions, while highlighting their professional synergy in challenging the initial police conclusions.[16] This setup tests the limits of their friendship amid escalating conflicts and partial disclosures tied to Guptan's death, building toward a pivotal juncture without resolving the central romantic or investigative arcs.[2]Alternate Endings
Director Fazil filmed two distinct endings for Harikrishnans to conclude the romantic triangle involving Annie and the titular characters without privileging one lead over the other. In the first version, Annie chooses Krishnan (Mammootty); in the second, she selects Hari (Mohanlal).[7][6] For the October 1998 theatrical release, distributors screened these versions in separate theaters, allocating the Mohanlal-favorable ending to regions with stronger support for him and the Mammootty version elsewhere, thereby catering to the actors' divided fanbases.[8][7] This bifurcation approximated an even split across screenings, prompting many viewers to attend multiple showings to experience both resolutions.[7] The approach, unprecedented in Indian cinema at the time, elicited prompt discussions on its effects on storytelling unity, even as it boosted initial box-office performance through targeted fan appeasement.[7][17]Cast and Characters
Lead Roles
Mammootty portrays Hari, one half of the titular duo of criminal lawyers known as Harikrishnans, who investigate the murder of college lecturer Guptan Namboothiri and uncover connections to the suspect Gabriel.[1][14] Mohanlal plays Krishnan, Hari's professional and childhood friend partner in the firm, sharing the investigative responsibilities and forming the core buddy dynamic central to the film's mystery and comedic elements.[1][18] Juhi Chawla enacts Meera, a woman who befriends the victim during travel and becomes a key figure in the unfolding case as both lawyers develop romantic interests in her, positioning her at the heart of the narrative's romantic conflict.[14][18] The film's structure accommodates fan preferences through alternate climaxes, where Meera's choice between Hari and Krishnan is resolved via a coin toss, with different versions favoring one outcome over the other for theatrical releases in regions dominated by each actor's following.[19][14]Supporting Roles
Innocent portrayed Advocate Sundaresan, a colleague in the legal fraternity who aids the protagonists in unraveling the murder case, contributing to the film's investigative tension.[20] Cochin Haneefa played Kunjikuttan, a character involved in comedic interrogations tied to the killing of college lecturer Guptan, enhancing the mystery through humorous subplots. His performance, alongside interactions with the lead lawyers, amplified the buddy dynamic between Hari and Krishnan by injecting levity into procedural elements.[11] Nedumudi Venu appeared as Thampuran, providing authoritative counsel that deepened the narrative's exploration of ethical dilemmas in the courtroom.[1] Kunchacko Boban essayed Sudarshanan, a younger associate whose subplot intersects with the central romance and probe, bridging generational aspects of the story.[20] Comedic relief was further bolstered by Jagadish and Maniyanpilla Raju in peripheral roles that satirized peripheral witnesses and allies, underscoring the film's blend of thriller and humor.[3] Other notable supporting actors included Sudheesh as Poojappura Ravi, who featured in ensemble scenes advancing the whodunit, and Shamili in a familial subplot reinforcing the leads' backstory.[11] Rajiv Menon briefly enacted the victim Guptan, whose death catalyzes the plot without extending into sustained character development.[3]| Actor | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Innocent | Adv. Sundaresan | Legal support in investigation[20] |
| Cochin Haneefa | Kunjikuttan | Comic interrogation scenes |
| Nedumudi Venu | Thampuran | Ethical guidance[1] |
| Kunchacko Boban | Sudarshanan | Subplot linkage to romance[20] |
| Jagadish | Public Prosecutor | Satirical courtroom humor[3] |
| Maniyanpilla Raju | Unspecified ally | Peripheral comedy[3] |
Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack for Harikrishnans was composed by Ouseppachan, encompassing both the featured songs and background score.[21] All lyrics were written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.[21] The music was created in 1998 to accompany the film's mystery-comedy storyline, with production aligned to the September release timeline.[22] Ouseppachan's work draws from his established style in Malayalam cinema, emphasizing melodic structures suitable for narrative integration.[22]Track Listing
The soundtrack of Harikrishnans, composed by Ouseppachan with lyrics primarily by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, consists of six principal songs.[23][21]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Scene Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnalkaivala | Sujatha Mohan | 5:12 | Featured in a light-hearted sequence involving the lead characters' investigation.[23][21] |
| 2 | Ponnaambal Puzhayirambil | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | 5:45 | Duet picturized during a riverside romantic interlude.[23][24] |
| 3 | Poojaabimbam Mizhi Thurannu | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | 4:58 | Romantic number highlighting emotional intimacy between protagonists.[23][21] |
| 4 | Ponne Ponnambili | M. G. Sreekumar | 5:30 | Upbeat track associated with comedic elements in the narrative.[23][21] |
| 5 | Samayamithapoorva | M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan | 6:02 | Duet underscoring themes of timing and fate in key dialogues.[23][21] |
| 6 | Poojaabimbam (Solo Version) | K. S. Chithra | 4:20 | Variant used in reflective moments.[24][25] |