Thazhvaram
| Thazhvaram | |
|---|---|
 Thazhvaram DVD cover | |
| Directed by | Bharathan |
| Produced by | V. B. K. Menon |
| Written by | M. T. Vasudevan Nair |
| Starring |
Mohanlal Salim Ghouse Sumalatha Anju Sankaradi Balan K. Nair |
| Music by |
Background music: Johnson Songs: Bharathan |
| Cinematography | Venu |
| Editing by |
B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan |
| Studio | Anughraha Cini Arts |
| Distributed by | Anughraha Cini Arts Release (Kerala) |
| Release dates |
|
| Running time | 130 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Thazhvaram (English: The Valley) is a 1990 Malayalam revenge-thriller musical film directed by Bharathan and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair, starring Mohanlal, Salim Ghouse,Anju, Sumalatha, and Sankaradi in the lead roles.
Set in the backdrop of a village in a valley along Palakkad, it is influenced by the spaghetti western genre, and has achieved a cult status in Kerala.
Plot
Balan (Mohanlal) is in search of Raju (Salim Ghouse) and the search takes him to a hillside. Balan reaches a house, where he is welcomed whole-heartedly by both Nanu (Sankaradi), the house owner, and Kochutty (Sumalatha), his daughter. Balan realizes that Raju stays with them as Raghavan. Balan comes to know that Nanu has helped Raju to start farming and that Nanu intends to get his daughter married to Raju. Balan decides to wait for Raghavan, alias Raju. Raju, on his arrival, smells his enemy.
The film progresses with the two having to pretend before Nanu and Kochutty that they are good friends. The film cuts to flashback, where Raju alias Raghavan is shown as a friend of Balan once. He, in greed for money, one day killed Balan's wife and ran away with Balan's hard earned money. Balan is now back in search of Raju to avenge for the death of his wife.
Raju attacks Balan in one of the numerous encounters the duo has and almost kills Balan. Balan survives the attack to save Nanu and his daughter from Raghavan.
The film is special for the mood it creates of the friction between the Balan and Raju. The dressing code matches what the director often symbolizes to a vulture.
Cast
- Mohanlal as Balan
- Salim Ghouse as Raju (credited as Saleem)
- Sumalatha as Kochootti
- Anju as Raji
- Sankaradi as Nanu
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of this film had only one song composed by Bharathan himself to the lines written by Kaithapram and rendered by K. J. Yesudas.
| # | Song Title | Singer | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Kannetha Doore Marutheeram" | K. J. Yesudas | Ragam: Sudha Saveri |
Response
Upon release, the film, a slow starter, garnered highly positive reviews and became a hit both critically and commercially. The camera work of Venu is considered as the highlight of the film. Thazhvaram had just a handful of characters and the plot was so well developed that it was a visual treat for the views. The fighting in the climax amidst violent vultures is considered as one of the best climax scenes in Malayalam cinema.
Trivia
- The songs were composed by Bharathan himself.
- Even though, was a big hit when released, now, over the years, this film is considered as a cult classic in Malayalam.
- The performance of Mohanlal is considered as one of his best in his acting career.
- This is Bharathan's second film with M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The first was Vaishali in 1988.
- Salim Ghouse excelled as the anti-hero. This film is considered among his best along with Vetri Vizha, Thiruda Thiruda and the recent Vettaikaran.
- Bharathan and Sasi Menon did the Poster Designs