Agnisakshi (1998 film)
Encyclopedia
Agnisakshi is a 1999 Malayalam film directed by Shyamaprasad
based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Lalithambika Antharjanam. The film premiered at the Soorya Festival on 14 September 1998. It stars Rajit Kapur
, Sobhana, Srividya
, Praveena
, Madhupal
and Madambu Kunhukuttan. The film received numerous accolades, which lead to many controversies as the film glorifies spiritualism
and Hindutva
.
Set in early 1930"s , the story develops within four walls of a Namboothiri Illam, in the South Indian State of Kerala, against the backdrop of the struggle for freedom from the British rule. The film opens in Haridwar, a holy city, where Thankam, Unni's younger half sister (of same father but different mothers. Unni's mother was Nampoothiri and Thankam's mother was Nair) who , has come to immerse Unni's ashes in the Ganga and trace Devaki, who now is an ascetic. The story is revealed through the reminiscences of Thankam, a mute spectator who is caught between these characters and the complexities of their relationship - complexities that can never be relegated to the realms of right and wrong.
Kerala State Film Awards
Kerala State Critics Awards
Others
Shyamaprasad
Shyamaprasad is an Indian film director. Directing highly acclaimed and complex films such as Agnisakshi, Akale, Ore Kadal and Elektra, he has won several state, national and international film awards.-Biography:...
based on the acclaimed novel of the same name by Lalithambika Antharjanam. The film premiered at the Soorya Festival on 14 September 1998. It stars Rajit Kapur
Rajit Kapur
Rajit Kapur is an Indian actor. He is particularly known for his award-winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1996 film, The Making of the Mahatma. One of his most popular stints is his portrayal of Byomkesh Bakshi in a television series of the same name based on the character created by...
, Sobhana, Srividya
Srividya
Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
, Praveena
Praveena
Praveena is a Malayalam film & Serial actress. She starred in numerous Malayalam movies & Serial. She Started her acting career in the year 1992 as a Child Artist. Her debut film was "Gowri" as a Child Artist. Her Debut film as a heroine was "Kaliyoonjal" in the year 1997...
, Madhupal
Madhupal
Madhupal is a Malayalam cinema actor, writer, and film director. Madhupal made his acting debut through Kashmeeram in 1994 and directorial debut through Thalappavu about Naxal Varghese which won several awards in 2008.-Biography:...
and Madambu Kunhukuttan. The film received numerous accolades, which lead to many controversies as the film glorifies spiritualism
Spiritualism
Spiritualism is a belief system or religion, postulating the belief that spirits of the dead residing in the spirit world have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living...
and Hindutva
Hindutva
Hindutva is the term used to describe movements advocating Hindu nationalism. Members of the movement are called Hindutvavādis.In India, an umbrella organization called the Sangh Parivar champions the concept of Hindutva...
.
Plot
Unni accepts Devaki as his wife and brings her into the fold of his Namboothiri illam. Bound by the plethora of traditional beliefs, customs and rituals that constitute life within four walls of the joint family, Unni is unable to be the husband that he would have liked to be. Yet, they understand and love each other immensely. Guarded by the fortress of tradition, the family remains oblivious to the winds of change sweeping through society. Though Unni is aware, he shuts the door to everything that his family will never be able to comprehend or accept. But Devaki, who is essentially of a different mould, longs to step out into the world—and is finally forced to do so.Set in early 1930"s , the story develops within four walls of a Namboothiri Illam, in the South Indian State of Kerala, against the backdrop of the struggle for freedom from the British rule. The film opens in Haridwar, a holy city, where Thankam, Unni's younger half sister (of same father but different mothers. Unni's mother was Nampoothiri and Thankam's mother was Nair) who , has come to immerse Unni's ashes in the Ganga and trace Devaki, who now is an ascetic. The story is revealed through the reminiscences of Thankam, a mute spectator who is caught between these characters and the complexities of their relationship - complexities that can never be relegated to the realms of right and wrong.
Cast
- Rajit KapurRajit KapurRajit Kapur is an Indian actor. He is particularly known for his award-winning portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi in the 1996 film, The Making of the Mahatma. One of his most popular stints is his portrayal of Byomkesh Bakshi in a television series of the same name based on the character created by...
- Sobhana
- SrividyaSrividyaSrividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....
- PraveenaPraveenaPraveena is a Malayalam film & Serial actress. She starred in numerous Malayalam movies & Serial. She Started her acting career in the year 1992 as a Child Artist. Her debut film was "Gowri" as a Child Artist. Her Debut film as a heroine was "Kaliyoonjal" in the year 1997...
- MadhupalMadhupalMadhupal is a Malayalam cinema actor, writer, and film director. Madhupal made his acting debut through Kashmeeram in 1994 and directorial debut through Thalappavu about Naxal Varghese which won several awards in 2008.-Biography:...
- Madambu Kunhukuttan
Awards
National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
- National Film Award for Best Feature Film in MalayalamNational Film Award for Best Feature Film in MalayalamThe National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam winners:...
Kerala State Film Awards
- Best FilmKerala State Film Award for Best FilmThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
- Best DirectorKerala State Film Award for Best DirectorThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Director winners:-References:**...
- ShyamaprasadShyamaprasadShyamaprasad is an Indian film director. Directing highly acclaimed and complex films such as Agnisakshi, Akale, Ore Kadal and Elektra, he has won several state, national and international film awards.-Biography:... - Second Best ActressKerala State Film Award for Second Best ActressThe Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress winners:-References:**...
- PraveenaPraveenaPraveena is a Malayalam film & Serial actress. She starred in numerous Malayalam movies & Serial. She Started her acting career in the year 1992 as a Child Artist. Her debut film was "Gowri" as a Child Artist. Her Debut film as a heroine was "Kaliyoonjal" in the year 1997... - Best CinematographerKerala State Film Award for Best PhotographyThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematographer winners:-References:**...
- Azhagappan - Best Sound RecordistKerala State Film Award for Best Sound RecordistThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Sound Recordist winners:-References:**...
- Krishnanunni, Hussain - Best Makeup ArtistKerala State Film Award for Best Makeup ArtistThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Makeup Artist winners:-References:**...
- P. Mani, Vikram Gaekwad - Best Dubbing ArtistKerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing ArtistThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Dubbing Artist winners:-References:**...
- Murali Menon , Vennmani Vishnu - Best Processing LabKerala State Film Award for Best Processing LabThe Kerala State Film Award for Best Processing Lab winners:-References:**...
- Gemini Lab
Kerala State Critics Awards
- Best Film
- Best Director - ShyamaprasadShyamaprasadShyamaprasad is an Indian film director. Directing highly acclaimed and complex films such as Agnisakshi, Akale, Ore Kadal and Elektra, he has won several state, national and international film awards.-Biography:...
- Best Lyrics - Kaithaprom
- Best Actress - Sobhana
- Best Cinematographer - Azhagappan
- Best Art Director - Premachandran
Others
- Filmfare Award for Best Feature Film (Malayalam)Filmfare Award for Best Feature Film (Malayalam)The Filmfare Best Film Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam films....
- Aravindan Puraskar for Best Director - ShyamaprasadShyamaprasadShyamaprasad is an Indian film director. Directing highly acclaimed and complex films such as Agnisakshi, Akale, Ore Kadal and Elektra, he has won several state, national and international film awards.-Biography:...
- Gollapudi Srinivas Memorial Award for Best Director - ShyamaprasadShyamaprasadShyamaprasad is an Indian film director. Directing highly acclaimed and complex films such as Agnisakshi, Akale, Ore Kadal and Elektra, he has won several state, national and international film awards.-Biography:...
Further reading
- Mohammed Salim Mohammed. "Agnisakshi, a dream come true for Shyamaprasad". The Peninsula. 8 May 1999.
- "Agnishakshi Film is loyal to novel". The Indian Express. 14 September 1998.
- K. Santhosh. "Document of a disturbing era". The Hindu. 6 August 1999.
- Gautaman Bhaskaran. "A Literary Masterpiece On Celluloid". The Hindu. 20 November 1998.
- "Agnisakshi, a Spiritual Film". The Indian Express. 15 January 1999.
- Vinu Abraham. "A Trail by Fire". The Week. 18 October 1998.
- M. G. Radhakrishnan. "Film under Fire". India Today. 12 April 1999.
- "No Hindutva in my film - Shyamaprasad". The Hindu. 21 March 1999.
External links
- Agnisakshi at the Malayalam Movie Database