Manjil Virinja Pookkal

Manjil Virinja Pookkal

Promotional Poster designed by P. N. Menon
Directed by Fazil
Produced by Navodaya Appachan
Written by Fazil
Starring Shankar
Poornima Jayaram
Mohanlal
Nedumudi Venu
Music by

Jerry Amaldev
Guna Singh

Bichu Thirumala (lyrics)
Cinematography Ashok Kumar
Edited by T. R. Shekhar
Production
company
Navodaya
Distributed by Navodaya
Release dates
  • 25 December 1980

[1]

Running time
 150 minutes
Country India
Language Malayalam
Budget INR15 lakhs
Box office INR98 lakhs[2]

Manjil Virinja Pookkal (Malayalam: മഞ്ഞില്‍ വിരിഞ്ഞ പൂക്കള്‍, English: Flowers That Bloomed in the Mist) is a 1980 Malayalam film produced by Navodaya Appachan and directed by Fazil, starring Shankar, Poornima Jayaram, and Mohanlal in the main roles. This film was one of the biggest hits of the year and was a major landmark in the career of director Fazil. The songs were composed by Jerry Amaldev.

Manjil Virinja Pookkal was Mohanlal's first release.[1] His first film Thiranottam was never released in theaters. The film was shot mainly from Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu. The first dialogue of Mohanlal, which begins as "I am Narendran" was shot from the Astoria Hotel, near Kodaikanal busstand.[3]

11 years later, the Hollywood thriller Sleeping with the Enemy (1991) had the same storyline as Manjil Virinja Pookkal. Sleeping with the Enemy was later remade into Hindi four times as Yaraana (1995), Daraar (1996), Agni Sakshi (1996), Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002); into Tamil as Aval Varuvala (1998); and into a Pakistani movie Khilona.

Plot

The story is about Prem Kishan (Shankar) coming to the hills of Kodaikkanal on work, meeting and falling in love with Prabha (Poornima Jayaram) whom he knows little about. Later he realises that she is married when her husband, Narendran (Mohanlal) comes into the picture. Mohanlal plays the antagonist in this film, one of the many negative characters he has played in his career. The film ends on a sad note, with Prem Kishan committing suicide after killing Narendran, saddened by the loss of Prabha, who was killed by Narendran.

Cast

Mohanlal as Narendran in the film

Manjil Virinja Pookkal was Mohanlal's first release. His first film Thiranottam was only released in 1 center with difficulties. Before Mohanlal was cast in the role of the antagonist, other actors were considered for the part, including Bharath Gopi and Sukumaran. Sukumaran almost got the part but was turned down because the director felt that he looked too old. Mohanlal was 20 years old when in this film. And so was Shankar.

There are reports that Kamal Haasan was to play Shankar's role and Sukumaran to play Mohanlal's role. But the produer decided to make a shift to newcomers since dates of Kamal were not available.

Credits

Soundtrack

The evergreen hit songs of this movie was composed by Jerry Amaldev and penned by Bichu Thirumala.

Track Song Title Singer(s)
1 Manchadi Kunnil K. J. Yesudas, Vani Jayaram
2 Manjani Kompil S. Janaki
3 Mizhiyoram Nananjozhukum K. J. Yesudas
4 Manjani Kompil (Pathos) S. Janaki
5 Mizhiyoram Nilavalayo S. Janaki

Box office

The movie was a slow starter but turned to be a blockbuster of the year. The movie which was made in a budget of INR15 lakhs gained INR98 lakhs.[2]


Shankar's symbolism before kissing (moving his index finger from left chin to his upper lip and then downwards) was a rage among the youth.

Awards

1980 Kerala State Film Awards [4]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Prema Manmadhan (2005-12-23). "His experiments with cinema". The Hindu. Retrieved 2011-01-31.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Nidheesh MK (29 November 2013). "Time to Bid adieu". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  3. ↑ "മഞ്ഞില്‍ വിരിയുന്ന ഓര്‍മകള്‍...". (in Malayalam). Mathrubhumi. 23 February 2011. Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  4. ↑ "Kerala State Film Awards 1969 - 2001". Information and Public Relations Department of Kerala. Retrieved 2011-01-31.

External links