Bharatham
| Bharatham | |
|---|---|
 DVD cover | |
| Malayalam | ഭരതം |
| Directed by | Sibi Malayil |
| Produced by | Mohanlal |
| Written by | A. K. Lohithadas |
| Starring |
Mohanlal Urvashi Nedumudi Venu Lakshmi Murali Biyon |
| Music by | Raveendran |
| Cinematography | Anandakuttan |
| Edited by | L. Bhoominathan |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Seven Arts Release |
Release date |
|
Running time | 147 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam musical-drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. Produced by Mohanlal for Pranavam Arts, it stars himself, along with Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film is especially known for its music that is largely Carnatic classical and semi classical. The songs were composed by Raveendran.
Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharath's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story. The film was a critical and commercial success, which ran for over 125 days in theatres.[1]
It won three National Film Awards that year; Best Actor for Mohanlal, Special Jury Award for Raveendran's music, and Best Male Singer for K. J. Yesudas for the song "Rama Katha Ganalayam". On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, Forbes India included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".[2] It was remade in Tamil titled Seenu by P. Vasu in 2000.
Plot
Kalliyur Gopinathan alias Gopi (Mohanlal) is a member of a happy family with carnatic music heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalliyur Ramanathan (Nedumudi Venu) who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, guru and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani (Lakshmi) and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi (Urvashi) who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into alcoholic. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.
Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song Sree Vinayagam. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the Tyagaraja Aaradhana select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at Tyagaraja Aaradhana.
Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, getting to know that Raman is killed in an accident, is forced to conceal this truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows about the truth. Gopi's trauma reaches penultimate when his family comes to know about Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions.
Cast
- Mohanlal as Kalloor Gopinathan / Gopi
- Nedumudi Venu as Kalloor Ramanathan / Raman
- Urvashi as Devi
- Lakshmi as Ramani ( Voice dubbed by Anandavally)
- Vineeth Kumar as Appu
- Suchitra as Radha
- Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Devaki
- Oduvil Unnikrishnan as Unnimama
- K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Madhavi
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as Muthassan
- Murali as HariKumar
- Kunjan as Kuttan
- Bobby Kottarakkara as Kunjunni
- Paravoor Bharathan
- Lalu Alex as Vijayan
- Subair
- Biyon as Young Gopinathan
- M. S. Thripunithura as Janardhanan Nair
Soundtrack
The acclaimed soundtrack of this movie was composed by Music Maestro Raveendran Master for which the acclaimed lyrics were penned by Kaithapram. All the songs of this movie were instant hits.
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Raagam | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Gopangane" | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | Naatta | Duet song picturised on Mohanlal and Urvashi. |
| 2 | "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani prasadham") | M. Balamuralikrishna, K. S. Chithra, K. J. Yesudas | Raagamaalika (Mayamalavagowla, Thodi, Arabhi, Kanada) | Title song. Picturised on Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal. |
| 3 | "Raghuvamshapathe" | K. J. Yesudas | Shankarabharanam | Kacheri performance by Mohanlal. |
| 4 | "Ramakadha" | K. J. Yesudas | Shubhapantuvarali | Sentimental performance by Mohanlal. |
| 5 | "Sree Vinayakam" | ravindran, K. J. Yesudas | Hamsadhvani | Kacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu. |
| 6 | "Bharatham" | Kallara Gopan, Sangeetha | Not picturised in film. | |
| 7 | "Nagarina" | M. G. Sreekumar | Not picturised in film. | |
| 8 | "Dhwani prasadam" | K. J. Yesudas | Mayamalavagowla | End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal. |
Awards
- Best Actor - Mohanlal
- Best Male Playback Singer - Dr. K. J. Yesudas for Ramakadha Gaanalayam
- Special Mention - Raveendran
- Best Actor - Mohanlal
- Second Best Film - Mohanlal (as producer)
- Best Actress - Urvashi
- Best Music Director - Raveendran
- Special Jury Award - Nedumudi Venu
- Best Director (Malayalam) - Siby Malayil
- Best Music Director (Malayalam) - Raveendran
- Best Screenplay - A. K. Lohithadas
Remake
The film was remade in Tamil as Seenu with Karthick portraying Mohanlal's character, P. Vasu portraying Nedumudi Venu's Character and Malavika playing Urvasi's character. The film was directed by P. Vasu.
References
- ↑ "An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi". Rediff.com. 22 August 1997. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
- ↑ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes. Retrieved 27 January 2015.