Agnisakshi (1999 film)

Agnisakshi
(With Fire As Witness)

CD Cover
Directed by Shyamaprasad
Produced by V. V. Babu
Screenplay by Shyamaprasad
Based on Agnisakshi by
Lalithambika Antharjanam
Starring Rajit Kapur
Sobhana
Srividya
Praveena
Madhupal
Madambu Kunhukuttan
Music by Kaithapram
Cinematography Azhagappan
Editing by Beena Paul
Studio Srishti Films
Release date(s) 1999 (1999)
Running time 100 minutes
Country India
Language Malayalam

Agnisakshi (With Fire As Witness) is a 1999 Malayalam film directed by Shyamaprasad based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Lalithambika Antharjanam. The film premiered at the Soorya Festival on 14 September 1998. It stars Rajit Kapur, Sobhana, Srividya, Praveena, Madhupal and Madambu Kunhukuttan. The film received numerous accolades, which lead to many controversies as the film glorifies spiritualism and Hindutva.

Contents

Plot

Unni accepts Devaki as his wife and brings her into the fold of his Namboothiri illam. Bound by the plethora of traditional beliefs, customs and rituals that constitute life within four walls of the joint family, Unni is unable to be the husband that he would have liked to be. Yet, they understand and love each other immensely. Guarded by the fortress of tradition, the family remains oblivious to the winds of change sweeping through society. Though Unni is aware, he shuts the door to everything that his family will never be able to comprehend or accept. But Devaki, who is essentially of a different mould, longs to step out into the world—and is finally forced to do so.

Set in early 1930"s, the story develops within four walls of a Namboothiri Illam, in the South Indian State of Kerala, against the backdrop of the struggle for freedom from the British rule. The film opens in Haridwar, a holy city, where Thankam, Unni's younger half sister (of same father but different mothers. Unni's mother was Nampoothiri and Thankam's mother was Nair) who, has come to immerse Unni's ashes in the Ganga and trace Devaki, who now is an ascetic. The story is revealed through the reminiscences of Thankam, a mute spectator who is caught between these characters and the complexities of their relationship - complexities that can never be relegated to the realms of right and wrong.

Cast

Awards

National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala State Critics Awards
Others

Further reading

External links