Ekalavyan (film)
Encyclopedia
Ekalavyan is a 1993 Malayalam film made in India
, starring Suresh Gopi
, Geetha
, Narendra Prasad
, Siddique
, Vijayaraghavan
, Ganesh Kumar
, Janardhanan
, Madhu
, Jagathy Sreekumar
, Kuthiravattam Pappu
, and Devan
. Directed by Shaji Kailas
and written by Renji Panicker
, this film broke many records in collection and successfully completed 150 days in theaters. The success of this film established Suresh Gopi
as a super-star in Malayalam cinema
.
. One among them survives and is admitted at hospital. The medical report confirms the presence of a heavy dose of narcotic drugs. The wide news coverage makes the government order a detailed police investigation into the incident. Then, Govindan Kutty (Kuthiravattam Pappu
), the father of the hospitalized girl is found murdered one day.
Swami Amoorthananda (Narendra Prasad
), a high-profile godman, with mysterious international connections, runs a lethal narcotic drug empire by keeping his ashram
at Kovalam as base. The media pressure and public revolt forces Sreedhara Menon (Madhu
), the chief minister to bring in a new head for the anti-narcotics wing. Madhavan (Suresh Gopi
), a Delhi-based police officer thus arrives in Kerala
. He is assisted by Sarath Chandran (Siddique
), a circle inspector with the Kerala police. Madhavan's aggressive and belligerent way of investigation leads him to Unni Joseph Mulaveedan (Ganesh Kumar
), as the owner of Hotel Sagara, and his protector, Cheradi Kariya (Vijayaraghavan
), the most sought-after drug merchant in the state.
Officer Madhavan also reaches out to the ashram of Swami Amoorthananda, thereby inviting ire
from the political class. The Swami unsuccessfully tries to derail the probe. He plans a conspiracy to topple the government, by appointing home minister Velayudhan, his left arm as the new chief minister. Mahesh Nair (Devan
), a dreaded underworld don, arrives in Kerala to implement the operation. He murders Sarath Chandran and his girlfriend, forcing Officer Madhavan to take the law into his own hands. He raids the ashram and seizes vast amounts of explosives. Madhavan kills Swami Amoorthananda and Mahesh Nair and saves the state from a series of blasts and communal riots.
. It was produced by P. V. Gangadharan for Grihalakshmi Productions. The camera work was done by Ravi K. Chandran
and editing by L.Bhoominathan. Rajamani did the background score and Boban was the art director.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, starring Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
, Geetha
Geetha
----Geetha is an Indian actress who has performed in Telugu, Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Hindi films. She debuted in the Tamil language film Bhairavi as Rajnikant’s sister...
, Narendra Prasad
Narendra prasad
Narendra Prasad was a popular Indian movie actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala....
, Siddique
Siddique (actor)
Siddique is a Malayalam film actor, producer, and television compere. He started his film career doing comedy roles and later performed in a variety of roles.-Early career:...
, Vijayaraghavan
Vijayaraghavan
Vijayaraghavan is an Indian actor who mainly acts in Malayalam cinema. He is popular for his character roles. He is the son of popular drama and cinema artist N. N. Pillai.-Biography:...
, Ganesh Kumar
K. B. Ganesh Kumar
Keezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar is an Indian film and TV actor and politician, now serving as Minister for Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema in the Government of Kerala. He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Pathanapuram in Kollam district for the first time in...
, Janardhanan
Janardhanan (actor)
Janardhanan is a Malayalam film actor. He is known for his peculiar style of handling humor and his quaint voice. He started his career playing brusque villains in the 1970s but later went on to establish himself as a highly sought-after comedian. The turning point of his career was the role of...
, Madhu
Madhu (actor)
Madhavan Nair , commonly known by his stage name Madhu is an actor in Malayalam cinema. He was a prominent lead actor during the 60s and 70s. He has also directed and produced films, and at one time he owned Uma film studio.-Early life:...
, Jagathy Sreekumar
Jagathy Sreekumar
Sreekumar Achary, better known by his stage name Jagathy Sreekumar, is an Indian film actor who has performed in more than 1,000 Malayalam films. He has also directed two films and has written screenplays for two films...
, Kuthiravattam Pappu
Kuthiravattam Pappu
Kuthiravattam Pappu, often credited as Pappu, was a popular Indian stage and film actor. His repertoire of acting was based on his unique style and use of the Kozhikodan dialect, impeccable timing and the capability to grasp the subtle nuances of any character and mould it into his signature "Pappu...
, and Devan
Devan (actor)
Devan is an Indian film actor and politician. He started his film career as the producer of the technically brilliant, but box-office flop movie Vellam and then opted to become an actor. Devan is known for his handling of serious roles, though he started his career with supporting roles...
. Directed by Shaji Kailas
Shaji Kailas
Shaji Kailas is a Malayalam film director. He is known for his hard-hitting action films.-Childhood and entry into films:Shaji Kailas was born in Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, to Late Sivakumaran Nair and Janakiyamma. After attending Model Boys School, Shaji pursued degree at Mahatma Gandhi...
and written by Renji Panicker
Renji Panicker
Renji Panicker is an Indian script writer, producer and director who works in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005....
, this film broke many records in collection and successfully completed 150 days in theaters. The success of this film established Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
as a super-star in Malayalam cinema
Malayalam cinema
The Cinema of Kerala or Malayalam cinema refers to the film industry in the Indian state of Kerala, which makes films in the Malayalam language. Malayalam movies typically portray social or family issues and are considered more realistic than films from other parts of India. Malayalam cinema has...
.
Plot
Two girls attempt suicide at Sagara, a hotel at KovalamKovalam
Kovalam is a beach town on the Arabian Sea in Thiruvananthapuram city, Kerala, India. It is located around 13 km from the down town of Trivandrum.-Etymology:...
. One among them survives and is admitted at hospital. The medical report confirms the presence of a heavy dose of narcotic drugs. The wide news coverage makes the government order a detailed police investigation into the incident. Then, Govindan Kutty (Kuthiravattam Pappu
Kuthiravattam Pappu
Kuthiravattam Pappu, often credited as Pappu, was a popular Indian stage and film actor. His repertoire of acting was based on his unique style and use of the Kozhikodan dialect, impeccable timing and the capability to grasp the subtle nuances of any character and mould it into his signature "Pappu...
), the father of the hospitalized girl is found murdered one day.
Swami Amoorthananda (Narendra Prasad
Narendra prasad
Narendra Prasad was a popular Indian movie actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala....
), a high-profile godman, with mysterious international connections, runs a lethal narcotic drug empire by keeping his ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
at Kovalam as base. The media pressure and public revolt forces Sreedhara Menon (Madhu
Madhu (actor)
Madhavan Nair , commonly known by his stage name Madhu is an actor in Malayalam cinema. He was a prominent lead actor during the 60s and 70s. He has also directed and produced films, and at one time he owned Uma film studio.-Early life:...
), the chief minister to bring in a new head for the anti-narcotics wing. Madhavan (Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopi
Suresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
), a Delhi-based police officer thus arrives in Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. He is assisted by Sarath Chandran (Siddique
Siddique (actor)
Siddique is a Malayalam film actor, producer, and television compere. He started his film career doing comedy roles and later performed in a variety of roles.-Early career:...
), a circle inspector with the Kerala police. Madhavan's aggressive and belligerent way of investigation leads him to Unni Joseph Mulaveedan (Ganesh Kumar
K. B. Ganesh Kumar
Keezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar is an Indian film and TV actor and politician, now serving as Minister for Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema in the Government of Kerala. He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Pathanapuram in Kollam district for the first time in...
), as the owner of Hotel Sagara, and his protector, Cheradi Kariya (Vijayaraghavan
Vijayaraghavan
Vijayaraghavan is an Indian actor who mainly acts in Malayalam cinema. He is popular for his character roles. He is the son of popular drama and cinema artist N. N. Pillai.-Biography:...
), the most sought-after drug merchant in the state.
Officer Madhavan also reaches out to the ashram of Swami Amoorthananda, thereby inviting ire
Ire
-Ire:* Extreme anger; intense fury.* Ire, a mountain in France* Irē, is the Livonian name for Mazirbe, Latvia* A town in Oye, Nigeria-IRE:* an abbreviation of Ireland, usually referring to the island of Ireland or bodies that represent it such as the Ireland national rugby union team * Institute of...
from the political class. The Swami unsuccessfully tries to derail the probe. He plans a conspiracy to topple the government, by appointing home minister Velayudhan, his left arm as the new chief minister. Mahesh Nair (Devan
Devan (actor)
Devan is an Indian film actor and politician. He started his film career as the producer of the technically brilliant, but box-office flop movie Vellam and then opted to become an actor. Devan is known for his handling of serious roles, though he started his career with supporting roles...
), a dreaded underworld don, arrives in Kerala to implement the operation. He murders Sarath Chandran and his girlfriend, forcing Officer Madhavan to take the law into his own hands. He raids the ashram and seizes vast amounts of explosives. Madhavan kills Swami Amoorthananda and Mahesh Nair and saves the state from a series of blasts and communal riots.
Controversies
The film, when released, became one of the most controversial films, for portraying a godman as villain. The houses of the director and scriptwriter were attacked, and there were attempts to block the screenings.Trivia
- Shaji KailasShaji KailasShaji Kailas is a Malayalam film director. He is known for his hard-hitting action films.-Childhood and entry into films:Shaji Kailas was born in Vanchiyoor, Thiruvananthapuram, to Late Sivakumaran Nair and Janakiyamma. After attending Model Boys School, Shaji pursued degree at Mahatma Gandhi...
, later in an interview had revealed that he had plans of casting Mammooty as the hero in the film. Suresh GopiSuresh GopiSuresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
was supposed to play the role of Sarath Chandran. But Mammooty's attitude problems led them to cast Suresh Gopi in the leading role. - The huge success of Ekalavyan made Suresh Gopi a superstar along with Mammooty and MohanlalMohanlalMohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
. The performance of Narendra PrasadNarendra prasadNarendra Prasad was a popular Indian movie actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala....
was highly appreciated. He also grabbed several awards for the best villain. - Scriptwriter Renji PanickerRenji PanickerRenji Panicker is an Indian script writer, producer and director who works in Malayalam cinema. He made his debut as a director with Bharatchandran IPS in 2005....
appeared in a cameo role in this film.
Filming
The film was shot mostly in and around Kovalam. A large part was also shot in KozhikodeKozhikode
Kozhikode During Classical antiquity and the Middle Ages, Kozhikkode was dubbed the "City of Spices" for its role as the major trading point of eastern spices. Kozhikode was once the capital of an independent kingdom of the same name and later of the erstwhile Malabar District...
. It was produced by P. V. Gangadharan for Grihalakshmi Productions. The camera work was done by Ravi K. Chandran
Ravi K. Chandran
Ravi K. Chandran is an Indian cinematographer. He has frequently collaborated with leading Indian filmmakers like Priyadarshan, Mani Ratnam, and Rajiv Menon and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Ravi has won two Filmfare Awards and one Southern Filmfare Award during his career.-Career:Ravi K. Chandran was...
and editing by L.Bhoominathan. Rajamani did the background score and Boban was the art director.
Cast
- Suresh GopiSuresh GopiSuresh Gopinathan Nair , often credited as Suresh Gopi , is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Malayalam cinema; he is famous for his roles in police dramas. He is noted for his leading roles as much as his character roles...
... Madhavan I.P.S. - SiddiqueSiddique (actor)Siddique is a Malayalam film actor, producer, and television compere. He started his film career doing comedy roles and later performed in a variety of roles.-Early career:...
... Sharath Chandran - Narendra PrasadNarendra prasadNarendra Prasad was a popular Indian movie actor, playwright, director, teacher and literary critic. He was born at Mavelikara, Alappuzha District, in the south Indian state of Kerala....
... Swami Amoorthananda - Vijayaraghavan... Cheradi Skariah
- K. B. Ganesh KumarK. B. Ganesh KumarKeezhoote Balakrishna Pillai Ganesh Kumar is an Indian film and TV actor and politician, now serving as Minister for Forests & Environment, Sports and Cinema in the Government of Kerala. He was elected to the State Legislative Assembly from Pathanapuram in Kollam district for the first time in...
... Unni Joseph Mulaveedan - Geetha ... Maya Menon
- Mathu ... Malu
- JanardhananJanardhanan (actor)Janardhanan is a Malayalam film actor. He is known for his peculiar style of handling humor and his quaint voice. He started his career playing brusque villains in the 1970s but later went on to establish himself as a highly sought-after comedian. The turning point of his career was the role of...
... Krishnan - MadhuMadhu (actor)Madhavan Nair , commonly known by his stage name Madhu is an actor in Malayalam cinema. He was a prominent lead actor during the 60s and 70s. He has also directed and produced films, and at one time he owned Uma film studio.-Early life:...
... Sreedharan - Jagathi Sreekumar ... Achuthan Nair
- Kuthiravattam PappuKuthiravattam PappuKuthiravattam Pappu, often credited as Pappu, was a popular Indian stage and film actor. His repertoire of acting was based on his unique style and use of the Kozhikodan dialect, impeccable timing and the capability to grasp the subtle nuances of any character and mould it into his signature "Pappu...
... Govindan Kutty - DevanDevan (actor)Devan is an Indian film actor and politician. He started his film career as the producer of the technically brilliant, but box-office flop movie Vellam and then opted to become an actor. Devan is known for his handling of serious roles, though he started his career with supporting roles...
... Mahesh Nair - Chitra ... Hemambaram
- Rajan P. DevRajan P. DevRajan P Dev was an Indian film and stage actor. He was born in Cherthala in the Alappuzha district of the former state Thiru-Kochi . He had acted in over 140 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language films. He was noted for his villain roles laced with a touch of humour...
... Velayudhan