Asthram
Asthram (transl. Arrow) is a 1983 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. N. Menon.[1] The film stars Bharath Gopi, Mohanlal, Mammootty, Nedumudi Venu and Jyothi in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam.[2][3][4] This movie is loosely based on the Nanavati murder case. Author Bibekanada Ray described the film as one of Menon's films "dealing with various contemporary political and social concerns" in her book about India's offbeat cinema.[5]
| Asthram | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | P. N. Menon |
| Written by | P. N. Menon John Paul (dialogues) |
| Screenplay by | John Paul |
| Starring | Bharath Gopi Mohanlal Mammootty Nedumudi Venu Jyothi |
| Music by | Shyam |
| Cinematography | Devi Prasad |
| Edited by | T. Sasikumar |
Production company | Menon Films |
| Distributed by | Menon Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
Capt. C. S. Nair, a Naval officer, and Rekha constitute a happily married couple. Inspector Stephen and captain are good friends. When the captain leaves for his job, Rekha has to spend a lonely life in their big mansion. She occasionally takes a drive and spends time with Stephen's daughter Lilly. The Captain's elder sister Sharada, who was staying separate from her husband, had a kid Biju. Sharada had died of a tumor and since then Rekha was taking care of Biju like her own son.
During the next occasion of leave, when captain is informed that Sharada is no more, he suggests to admit Biju in a boarding school, so that he gets the best schooling possible. The Captain meets Balu, a photographer, accidentally, he likes him very much and treats him as his own brother. They spend times together along with Balu's friends in outings and other leisure events.
Captain leaves for his job and Rekha and Balu fall in an affair accidentally. Balu realizes that it is a mistrust and runs away from the affair. Rekha had a difficult time to recover from the incident. However she could not conceal it for long, and during the next visit of the Captain she discloses about the affair. Though she doesn't reveal the man, the Captain traces that Balu is the culprit owing to the indifference in behaviour of Balu.
As he couldn't be the same husband again, Captain insists that Balu marry Rekha, which Balu declines, leading to what is in his mind, forming the climax.
Cast
- Bharath Gopi as Captain C. S. Nair
- Mohanlal as Dasan
- Mammootty as Balu
- Nedumudi Venu as Krishnanunni
- Jyothi as Rekha
- Sukumari as Sharada Chechi
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Philip
- Sankaradi as Nanu Maashu
- Isaac Thomas as Dr. Thomas
- Jesey as Rev. Father
- Lissy as Lilly
- Vijayan
- Balan K. Nair as Stephen
- Bhagyalakshmi
- Chamundeswary
- Master Twinku as Biju
- Meghanathan as Johny
- Punnapra Appachan
- Chaplin
- Raghu
- Joli
- Chamundeswari
Soundtrack
The music was composed by Shyam and the lyrics were written by Poovachal Khader and Sathyan Anthikkad.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Chinchillam Chiri Thooki" | K. J. Yesudas | Poovachal Khader | |
| 2 | "Kingini Ponmani Manjeeram" | S. Janaki | Poovachal Khader | |
| 3 | "Kunjikkurumbu" | Sujatha Mohan, Kausalya | Sathyan Anthikkad |
References
- Rajadhyaksha, Ashish; Willemen, Paul (1999). Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-135-94325-7.
- "Asthram". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- "Asthram". malayalasangeetham.info. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-19.
- "Asthram". spicyonion.com. Retrieved 19 October 2014.
- Ray, Bibekanada (2005). Conscience of The Race. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2661-9.