Community hub
0 subscribers7 pages, 0 posts
Recent from talks
All channels
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Welcome to the community hub built to collect knowledge and have discussions related to Indrajaalam.
Nothing was collected or created yet.
Indrajaalam
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
| Indrajaalam | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Thampi Kannanthanam |
| Written by | Dennis Joseph |
| Produced by | Thampi Kannanthanam |
| Starring | Mohanlal Rajan P. Dev Geetha |
| Narrated by | Mohanlal |
| Cinematography | Santosh Sivan |
| Edited by | G. Murali |
| Music by | S. P. Venkatesh |
Production company | Sharon Pictures |
| Distributed by | Julia Picture |
Release date |
|
Running time | 152 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Indrajaalam (transl. Magic) is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language crime thriller film produced and directed by Thampi Kannanthanam and written by Dennis Joseph. The film stars Mohanlal, Rajan P. Dev and Geetha, with music composed by S. P. Venkatesh. It was released on 3 September 1990. The film became major commercial success and was major breakthrough for Rajan P Dev for his villain character Carlos.[1]
Plot
[edit] | This article's plot summary needs to be improved. (August 2021) |
The plot revolves around the uprising of an underworld gangster.
Cast
[edit]- Mohanlal as Kannan Nair
- Rajan P. Dev as Carlos[2]
- Geetha as Jayanthi
- Sreeja as Vinu, Kannan's love interest
- A. T. Jose IPS as Commissioner David
- Vijayan Karote as Home minister K. G. Menon
- Anupam Kher as Maharashtra Chief Minister
- Vijayaraghavan as Thankappan
- Mohan Jose as Michael
- Jose Prakash as Baba
- K. P. A. C. Sunny as Adv.Narayana Swamy
- Sathaar as Chandrakumar
- Kunchan as Appu
- Sainuddin as Kuttan
- Prathapachandran as Baburaj
- Meenakumari as Mariyamma
- Balan K. Nair as Ayyappan Nair
- Ravi Menon as Ravi, Press Photographer
Production
[edit]Action choreographer Sham Kaushal debuted with this film, who signed on in May 1990.[3] One of Dennis Joseph's acquittances, Kennedy had recommended Rajan P. Dev to him after the success of the theatre play Kattukuthira. Thilakan was initially considered for the role of Carlos. However, they then decided to cast a new actor for the role. When they contacted Nana magazine, they recommended Rajan P. Dev for the role and he was eventually cast.[4] Filming took place mostly in Bombay.[5]
Soundtrack
[edit]The soundtrack was composed by S. P. Venkatesh.[6][7]
All lyrics are written by O. N. V. Kurup, except where noted.
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Dil Hai" | P. B. Sreenivas | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | |
| 2. | "Kunjikkiliye Koodevide" (Female) | K. S. Chithra | ||
| 3. | "Kunjikkiliye Koodevide" (Male) | M. G. Sreekumar | ||
| 4. | "Paayunna Yagaashwam" | M. G. Sreekumar | ||
| 5. | "Vilkkaanundo" | M. G. Sreekumar |
Release and reception
[edit]Indrajaalam was released on 3 September 1990, Onam day.[7][8] N. Krishnaswamy of The Indian Express wrote, "High-speed cameras, sensitive film, innovative choreography of action and use of newfangled props have helped in this direction".[9] Despite facing competition from three other Onam releases – Arhatha, Iyer the Great and Oliyampukal – it emerged the bigger success.[10]
References
[edit]- ^ "'Rajavinte Makan' director Thampi Kannanthanam passes away". The News Minute. 2 October 2018. Archived from the original on 12 July 2022. Retrieved 12 July 2022.
- ^ Indian Panorama. Vol. 40. Directorate of Film Festivals. 2009. p. 159. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 19 March 2023.
- ^ Sidhardhan, Sanjith (25 February 2019). "Sham Kaushal: Malayali filmmakers are the reason I do action for Bollywood period films". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 February 2019. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "അഭിനയകലയിലെ 'കാട്ടുകുതിര'". Webdunia (in Malayalam). 29 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ Varma, Lipika (8 May 2020). "Blessed to be associated with SLB for 24 years, director Sham Kaushal says". The Asian Age. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ "Indrajaalam (0)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ a b "Indrajaalam (1990)". MSIDb. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "Reel Onams". The Hindu. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
- ^ Krishnaswamy, N. (4 January 1991). "Indrajalam". The Indian Express. p. 5. Retrieved 4 February 2020 – via Google News Archive.
- ^ "Mollywood loses the man who created Mohanlal the superstar". The New Indian Express. 3 October 2018. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
External links
[edit]- Indrajaalam at IMDb
Indrajaalam
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Story and characters
Plot
Indrajaalam follows the story of Kannan Nair (Mohanlal), whose father is brutally murdered by Carlos, a ruthless underworld mafia lord, to fulfill his selfish ambitions. Devastated by the loss, Kannan vows revenge and plunges into the criminal underworld, gradually rising through its ranks to position himself for a direct confrontation with the powerful antagonist.[3] The narrative centers on this central conflict of vengeance, beginning with the shocking initial killing that propels Kannan into action. As he navigates alliances and challenges within the mafia hierarchy, tension builds toward the climactic showdown, employing classic crime thriller elements to drive the plot forward. The film's 152-minute runtime provides ample space to develop Kannan's character arc from a grieving son to a determined avenger.[1]Cast
The cast of Indrajaalam features a strong ensemble of Malayalam cinema actors, contributing to the film's intensity as a crime thriller through their portrayals of complex characters in an underworld setting. Mohanlal leads as Kannan Nair, the determined protagonist who evolves from a victim of tragedy into a vigilante seeking justice.[6] Rajan P. Dev plays the antagonist Carlos, a ruthless and manipulative underworld mafia lord whose menacing presence drives the central conflict; this role marked Dev's breakthrough as a prominent villain in Malayalam films.[7][6] Sreeja appears as Vinu, Kannan Nair's romantic interest, providing emotional depth to the lead character's arc.[6] Geetha portrays Jayanthi in a key supporting role, adding layers to the familial and interpersonal dynamics.[6] The supporting cast includes notable performers such as Vijayaraghavan as Thankappan, a loyal associate in the underworld; Mohan Jose as Michael, another figure entangled in the criminal web; Anupam Kher as the Maharashtra Chief Minister, bringing political intrigue; Balan K. Nair as Ayyappan Nair, Kannan's father whose murder initiates the story; Jose Prakash as Baba; K.P.A.C. Sunny as Adv. Narayana Swamy; Sathaar, Kunchan, Ravi Menon, Prathapachandran as Baburaj, and Vijayan, who collectively fill out the ensemble of around 15 principal credited roles, emphasizing the film's gritty portrayal of crime and retribution through diverse character types from victims to enforcers.[6][8]| Actor | Role | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mohanlal | Kannan Nair | Avenging son turned vigilante |
| Rajan P. Dev | Carlos | Ruthless underworld mafia lord |
| Sreeja | Vinu | Kannan's romantic interest |
| Geetha | Jayanthi | Key supporting family figure |
| Vijayaraghavan | Thankappan | Underworld associate |
| Mohan Jose | Michael | Criminal network member |
| Anupam Kher | Maharashtra Chief Minister | Political authority figure |
| Balan K. Nair | Ayyappan Nair | Kannan's father |
| Jose Prakash | Baba | Supporting role |
| K.P.A.C. Sunny | Adv. Narayana Swamy | Lawyer |
| Sathaar | (Supporting) | Supporting role |
| Kunchan | (Supporting) | Supporting role |
| Ravi Menon | (Supporting) | Supporting role |
| Prathapachandran | Baburaj | Supporting role |
| Vijayan | (Supporting) | Supporting role |
Production
Development
Indrajaalam was conceived as a crime thriller under the production banner of Sharon Pictures, with Thampi Kannanthanam taking on the dual roles of producer and director, marking another collaboration in his efforts to deliver high-stakes narratives in Malayalam cinema.[9][1] The screenplay was originally written by Dennis Joseph, a prominent scriptwriter recognized for his thriller scripts that often explored intense personal vendettas and societal undercurrents during the late 1980s and early 1990s.[10][6] Joseph's script for Indrajaalam focused on revenge driven by underworld machinations, with development culminating in production commencement in 1990 to capitalize on the genre's popularity.[1] Key crew assembly included the selection of cinematographer Santosh Sivan to craft a visually striking style that amplified the film's tense atmosphere.[4] Sham Kaushal was brought on as action director, debuting in the position for this project to choreograph its dynamic sequences.[11][12][6] Planning under Kannanthanam's oversight prioritized innovative action elements, tailoring the mafia revenge premise to suit lead actor Mohanlal's commanding action-hero presence.[1]Filming
Principal photography for Indrajaalam took place over several months in 1990, aligning with the film's release during the Onam festival season. The production emphasized authentic urban environments to suit the thriller's narrative, with the majority of scenes shot on location in Bombay (now Mumbai). Santosh Sivan served as cinematographer, employing dynamic camera techniques to intensify the film's tense atmosphere and action sequences.[6] The action choreography was handled by Sham Kaushal in his Malayalam debut, where he introduced innovative stunt designs that elevated the film's high-stakes confrontations, such as revenge-driven chases and fights. Hired during pre-production, Kaushal's contributions marked a significant step in bringing Bollywood-style action rigor to Malayalam cinema.[13][14]Music
Composition
The soundtrack of Indrajaalam was composed by S. P. Venkatesh.[4] The lyrics were primarily penned by O. N. V. Kurup.[15] It features prominent playback singers such as S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, and M. G. Sreekumar; the soundtrack comprises five songs plus a background score.[15]Track listing
The soundtrack album of Indrajaalam features five songs composed by S. P. Venkatesh and was originally released on cassette in 1990 by Satyam Audios.[16] The lyrics for four tracks were penned by O. N. V. Kurup, while "Dil Hai" was written by P. B. Sreenivas.[17] The album highlights vocal performances by prominent playback singers, including S. P. Balasubrahmanyam for the Hindi-influenced opening track and duets rendered in male and female versions by M. G. Sreekumar and K. S. Chithra.[18]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Lyricist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dil Hai" | S. P. Balasubrahmanyam | P. B. Sreenivas | 4:59 |
| 2 | "Kunjikkiliye Koodevide" (Female) | K. S. Chithra | O. N. V. Kurup | 4:13 |
| 3 | "Kunjikkiliye Koodevide" (Male) | M. G. Sreekumar | O. N. V. Kurup | 4:25 |
| 4 | "Paayunna Yagaashwam" | M. G. Sreekumar | O. N. V. Kurup | 3:43 |
| 5 | "Vilkkanundu Swapnangal" | M. G. Sreekumar | O. N. V. Kurup | 5:13 |