| Rathinirvedam | |
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| Directed by | Bharathan |
| Produced by | Hari Pothan |
| Screenplay by | Padmarajan |
| Based on | Rathinirvedam by Padmarajan |
| Starring | Jayabharathy Krishnachandran |
| Music by | Devarajan[1] |
| Cinematography | Ramachandra Babu |
| Editing by | K. Narayanan |
| Studio | Supriya Creations |
| Release date(s) | 1978 |
| Running time | 124 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Rathinirvedam (Malayalam: രതിനിര്വേദം, English: Adolescent Desire) is a 1978 Malayalam coming-of-age film directed by Bharathan based on the novel of the same name written by Padmarajan who also wrote the script.
The film's story revolves around a teenager (played by Krishnachandran) who falls in love with a woman older than he is (played by Jayabharathi).[2] The storyline of the film miffed many for its sensitive portrayal of the lead as well as garnered appreciation for its narrative. It is said to have redefined the art of movie making in South India, and hence regarded as a landmark in Indian film history. The film was also one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history. It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.
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The story takes place in a small village surrounded by hills and valleys. Young Pappu, awaiting school results and then college, has plenty of time on hand. His trouble is adolescence, but neither his mother nor his aunt can diagnose his affiction. Everything round him excites and stimulates his sexual curiosity. Eighteen-year-old Rathi, the girl next door, has been chechi (sister) to him since he was a child. Unaware of the stirrings of his desire, she dismisses his first overtures to her as boyish pranks. But soon her feelings change. She is sympathetic to the boy's confusion and goes to the sarppakkavu (cobra-shrine) to keep a midnight assignation with Pappu. It storms and thunders while Pappu makes love to Rathi. Only then does the storm both the one tormenting him inside his mind the one clasping thunderously on the outside subside. Aghast at what has happened, Rathi stumbles to her feet but is bitten by a cobra and dies. Next morning Pappu leaves home for college and his new life.
A teenage mind caught in the flux of sexual adolescence is captured beautifully through the lens by the director Bharathan. Steamy scenes restrict the movie to mature audiences. In typical Bharathan style, an unexpected climax leaves the audience in tears. Jayabharathi gives a commendable performance as the titular character in this movie.
The film was produced by Hari Pothan under the banner of Supriya Films. It was mostly shot in Nelliampathi, Palakkad, Kerala.[3] Director Bharathan had proposed to actress K.P.A.C. Lalitha after the shooting of this film.[4] They remained together till the death of the former.
Rathinirvedam is regarded as a landmark in Indian film history.[4] It is one of the most sensuous movies of all time, and is said to have redefined the art of movie making in South India.[5] The extremely erotic scenes performed by Jayabharathi sent heat waves across Kerala. Even when some of the intelligentsia predicted the beginning of a new era of parallel cinema, a major section of Malayalis were on the warpath saying that mainstream Malayalam cinema had degenerated to porn. But in spite of the criticism and the pseudo moral mindsets of the people, Rathinirvedam became one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala's history.[6] It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.[7]
A remake of the film was made in 2011. It was directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar. Shwetha Menon played the female lead, and Sreejith played the young male lead. Padmarajan himself was credited as the writer.[8][9]
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