Summer in Bethlehem

Summer in Bethlehem (Malayalam: സമ്മര്‍ ഇന്‍ ബെത്ലെഹേം) is a 1998 Malayalam film written by Ranjith and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, and Manju Warrier in the lead roles with a cameo appearance by Mohanlal. The music was composed by Vidyasagar.

The film was shot among the forest hills and farms of Ooty (Ootacamund). It tells the story of Ravishankar (Jayaram), the bumbling friend of a successful landowner Dennis (Suresh Gopi), and the vacation visit by Ravishankar's relatives in Dennis's estate known as Bethlehem Estates in Chandragiri.

Plot

Ravishankar (Jayaram), an unsuccessful investor stays along with Dennis (Suresh Gopi), his friend who is a big success in farming business. Dennis owns a vast farmland named Bethlehem, and hundreds of cows, at a valley. Ravi is a fun loving, jovial chap, who has fabricated stories of his success to his parents and relatives. On a vacation, Colonel C.R. Menon (Janardhanan), his grand father arrives with his grandchildren to spend a couple of days at the farmhouse of Ravishankar. He successfully makes them believe that he is the real owner of Bethlehem, and Dennis is his partner. Dennis, who is an orphan, was too happy to meet a huge family and welcomes them all with full heart. Colonel Menon has a plan to get Ravishankar married to any one of his granddaughters. Ravishankar is a bit confused about whom he should choose. For past few months, he had been receiving a mail from one among these girls expressing her love for him. Ravi and Dennis decides to find out the one behind this game. Meanwhile, a few days after their arrival at Bethlehem, Abhirami (Manju Warrier), another grand daughter of Menon, who is studying at Bangalore arrives alone. She seems to be too upset and worried. But within short time, she returns to normalcy and enjoys the colors of vacation. They play pranks at both Ravi and Dennis and both enjoys them well. As time passes, Dennis feels a special attraction for Abhirami. Colonel Menon and his wife decides Ravi to get married to Abhirami. But Abhirami snubs them by declaring that she is in love with Dennis. Her decision creates a panic among all, who believes that Dennis is nothing but a failed businessman who is living at the expense of Ravishankar. But, Ravi shocks everyone by revealing that he is nothing and is the original owner of Bethlehem is none other than Dennis. Abhirami meets Dennis who is completely broken down after the chaos at the house. Dennis, at the same time is happy at heart knowing about Abhirami's love for him. But she shocks him by saying that she was just using his name to escape from the marriage. She informs Dennis that she is in love with Niranjan, a naxal revolutionary in southern Karnataka. Niranjan, whom she met at Bangalore, is now in jail, convicted of killing Brijesh Mallaya, a landlord and his family. He has got capital punishment and is waiting for gallows. He is to be executed in a couple of days and she will not live after his death, Abhirami also has taken a vow not to marry anyone other than Niranjan. But at home, upon the compulsion from Ravi, the family decides Abhirami to get married to Dennis. The night before marriage, Abhirami requests Dennis to take her to jail to meet Niranjan as he is getting executed the next day, Denni takes her to Niranjan (Mohanlal), who is now a completely changed man. Now remorseful Niranjan regrets over the violent ways he adopted in class war and the crimes he did to obtain a classless society. In jail, Niranjan became more spiritual and advises Abhirami to forget him and accept Dennis as her husband. Abhirami refuses to take his words, but Niranjan forces Dennis to tie the mangalsutra to Abhirami, which she has brought along with her. Dennis obeys Niranjan and marries Abhirami at jail and Niranjan witnesses it with tearful eyes. He goes back to his cell happily by wishing both all success. A few days later, the family returns back from Bethlehem, while Ravi jokingly reminds everyone that they should be back here next year to welcome junior Dennis. The train departs slowly and a girl's hand reaches out the rapidly receding coach window, holding the kitten which was sent as a gift. Ravishankar takes off running to find out it is, but he catches only a cryptic message, which teases him to follow and discover her identity.

Cast

• Suresh Gopi as Dennis
• Jayaram as Ravishankar
• Manju Warrier as Abhirami
• Janardhanan as Colonel C.R. Menon
• Kalabhavan Mani as Monai
• Sukumari as Ravishankar's grandmother
• Rasika
• Sreeja
• Suchitha
• Mayoori
• Mohanlal as Niranjan (Special appearance)

Connections

• This was the second script written by Renjith for Sibi Malayil after Maya Mayooram. Later they joined again for Ustaad in 1999.
• Some sequences and subplots of the film were later adapted and re-scripted for the Tamil as Lesa Lesa starring Trisha, Shaam, and Madhavan (guest appearance). Lesa Lesa was directed by Priyadarshan.^[1]

Soundtrack

The soundtrack of the film was composed by Vidyasagar.^[2] The soundtrack had seven songs. The soundtrack became one of the biggest hits in Kerala.

Sequel

Director Ranjith is planning for Summer In Bethlehem Sequel. Its almost confirmed Director Ranjith's next movie will be comedy flick with Jayaram. Earlier, there was a news that Sibi Malayil was interested in doing a sequel for the all-time classic 'Summer in Bethlehem' but due to superstar Suresh Gopi refusing to work in the movie, the project was dropped. But now, from recent reports Director Ranjith wants to do the sequel. With Jayaram and Dileep/Sureshgopi in the lead.

References

External links

• Summer in Bethlehem at the Internet Movie Database
• Summer in Bethlehem at Oneindia.in