The King (1995 film)
Encyclopedia
The King is a 1995 Malayalam action thriller film. Directed by Shaji Kailas
and written by Renji Panicker
with Mammootty
as district collector, this film is one of the biggest hits in the history of Malayalam cinema
.
In 2011, Shaji Kailas announced a sequel for the film, titled The King and the Commissioner, in which Mammootty
and Suresh Gopi
are supposed to reprise their iconic roles from the blockbusters The King and Commissioner
(1994). This sequel is planned for release in mid December 2011.
suddenly witnesses a massive communal riot, claiming 12 people. Madhukumar (Appa Haja), a wildlife photographer witnessing a group of criminals transporting explosives through forest check post, calls up Shankar (Devan
), the police commissioner and passes the information. Shankar asks him to wait for his guys who would pick him up. But instead of police, it was the same goons who came for him. Madhu is brutally murdered at the same night. Joseph Alex (Mammootty
), the aggressive and belligerent district collector is suspicious of the activities of city police commissioner and decides to investigate the case. He is assisted by ASP Prasad Ganeshan
, another sincere officer, who also admires Joseph for his arrogant way of dealing politicians. Madhu's father (Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
) reaches out Prasad for filing a man missing complaint. Prasad finds out the body of Madhu in a decomposed stage with his camera, but the film missing. This leads to many suspicions. Jayakrishnan (Murali), the MP from Kozhikode, with strong international connections, is the main brain behind the massacre. He planned the communal violence to topple the government. He along with John Vargeese (Kollam Thulasi
), the state minister and Kandanmkuzhi Thankachan (Azeez) is also involved in several illegal real estate business under the cover of communal violence. Jayakrishnan, with his trusted lieutenant, Shankar, the commissioner of police, tries hard to topple the investigation. Dr. Vijay, the police medical surgeon, who conducted the autopsy of Madhu was found dead in a road accident on the next morning. Sanjay (Vijayaraghavan), a close buddy of Joseph during his Mussourie training days arrives in Kozhikode
to investigate the murder of Dr.Vijay, who was also his brother. Joseph, along with Sanjay and Prasad finds out the conspiracies hatched by Jayakrishnan along with Vikram Khorpade, a Mumbai
based underworld don. Jayakrishnan meanwhile is appointed as a cabinet minister in central ministry. Joseph Alex arrests Anathashakara Iyer (T.S.Krishnan), a left arm of Khorpade, who gives out important information against Khorpade, Jayakrishnan and Shankar. On the arrival at airport after sworn-in ceremony as cabinet minister, Jayakrishnan is about to get arrested by Joseph Alex. Shankar is suspended from police service with immediate effect and is taken away by IB team. Jayakrishnan, who loses temper, in a bid to escape shoots mercilessly at the crowd. But before fleeing from the spot, he is killed by Joseph Alex.
were huge hit among the youth and audio records with the dialogues were in high demand in market. The success of this film was a milestone in the career of Shaji Kailas
, Renji Panicker
and Mammootty
.
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....
with Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
as district collector, this film is one of the biggest hits in the history of 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...
.
In 2011, Shaji Kailas announced a sequel for the film, titled The King and the Commissioner, in which Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
and 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...
are supposed to reprise their iconic roles from the blockbusters The King and Commissioner
Commissioner (film)
Commissioner is a 1994 Malayalam crime-thriller film produced by M. Mani, written by Ranji Panicker, directed by Shaji Kailas, and starring Suresh Gopi as Police Commissioner Bharath Chandran. The film also stars Ratheesh, Vijayaraghavan, Shobana, M. G. Soman, Rajan P. Dev, Ganesh Kumar, and...
(1994). This sequel is planned for release in mid December 2011.
Plot
The city of 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...
suddenly witnesses a massive communal riot, claiming 12 people. Madhukumar (Appa Haja), a wildlife photographer witnessing a group of criminals transporting explosives through forest check post, calls up Shankar (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...
), the police commissioner and passes the information. Shankar asks him to wait for his guys who would pick him up. But instead of police, it was the same goons who came for him. Madhu is brutally murdered at the same night. Joseph Alex (Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
), the aggressive and belligerent district collector is suspicious of the activities of city police commissioner and decides to investigate the case. He is assisted by ASP Prasad Ganeshan
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...
, another sincere officer, who also admires Joseph for his arrogant way of dealing politicians. Madhu's father (Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair
Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
) reaches out Prasad for filing a man missing complaint. Prasad finds out the body of Madhu in a decomposed stage with his camera, but the film missing. This leads to many suspicions. Jayakrishnan (Murali), the MP from Kozhikode, with strong international connections, is the main brain behind the massacre. He planned the communal violence to topple the government. He along with John Vargeese (Kollam Thulasi
Kollam Thulasi
Kollam Kanjaveli Kuttilazhikathu Thulasidharan Nair is an actor in Malayalam cinema who is better known as Kollam Thulasi relating the name of his birth place Kollam to his first name as customary in Kerala. His first appearance was in Ezhuthappurangal . He is also a poet.-Personal life:He was born...
), the state minister and Kandanmkuzhi Thankachan (Azeez) is also involved in several illegal real estate business under the cover of communal violence. Jayakrishnan, with his trusted lieutenant, Shankar, the commissioner of police, tries hard to topple the investigation. Dr. Vijay, the police medical surgeon, who conducted the autopsy of Madhu was found dead in a road accident on the next morning. Sanjay (Vijayaraghavan), a close buddy of Joseph during his Mussourie training days arrives in Kozhikode
Kozhikode
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...
to investigate the murder of Dr.Vijay, who was also his brother. Joseph, along with Sanjay and Prasad finds out the conspiracies hatched by Jayakrishnan along with Vikram Khorpade, a Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
based underworld don. Jayakrishnan meanwhile is appointed as a cabinet minister in central ministry. Joseph Alex arrests Anathashakara Iyer (T.S.Krishnan), a left arm of Khorpade, who gives out important information against Khorpade, Jayakrishnan and Shankar. On the arrival at airport after sworn-in ceremony as cabinet minister, Jayakrishnan is about to get arrested by Joseph Alex. Shankar is suspended from police service with immediate effect and is taken away by IB team. Jayakrishnan, who loses temper, in a bid to escape shoots mercilessly at the crowd. But before fleeing from the spot, he is killed by Joseph Alex.
Theatrical response
The King got released in 1995 in 40 theaters, which was a record in those days. It enjoyed a huge initial pull and there was a mania in the state of Kerala upon the release. When got released, the film broke several collection records and completed a successful run of 200 days. The dialogues penned by Renji PanickerRenji 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....
were huge hit among the youth and audio records with the dialogues were in high demand in market. The success of this film was a milestone in the career of 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...
, 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....
and Mammootty
Mammootty
Mammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
.
Cast
- MammoottyMammoottyMammootty is an Indian film actor and producer who works mainly in Malayalam cinema. He has also acted in a few Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada films. During a career spanning more than three decades, he has acted in more than 360 films, and is only next to Prem Nazir in the number of lead roles...
as Thevalliparambil Joseph Alex - Murali as Jayakrishnan
- Vani ViswanathVani ViswanathVani Viswanath , is a South Indian actress. She has acted in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil and Telugu movies. Vani has won the Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Actress for her performance in Susanna directed by T. V. Chandran. She was termed as Mollywood's Action Queen.-Biography:Vani was born...
as Anura Mukharji - GaneshanK. 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...
as Prasad - Vijayaraghavan as Sanjay
- Kollam ThulasiKollam ThulasiKollam Kanjaveli Kuttilazhikathu Thulasidharan Nair is an actor in Malayalam cinema who is better known as Kollam Thulasi relating the name of his birth place Kollam to his first name as customary in Kerala. His first appearance was in Ezhuthappurangal . He is also a poet.-Personal life:He was born...
as John Varghese - 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...
as Shankar - 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...
as Krishnan - 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...
as Govinda Menon - SankaradiSankaradiSankaradi was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit....
as Pillai - C. I. Paul as Chacko
- SomanM. G. SomanM. G. Soman was an actor in Malayalam film. He was considered to be one of the superstars in Malayalam cinema along with Sukumaran and Jayan during the 1970s. He was born in Tiruvalla, Travancore...
as Alexander - K. P. A. C. Sunny as Sulaiman
- 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...
- Azeez as Kandakuzhi Thankachan
- K. P. A. C. LalithaK. P. A. C. LalithaMaheshwari Amma, better known by her stage name K.P.A.C. Lalitha, is a National Award winning Indian film and stage actress. She was the wife of late filmmaker Bharathan.-Biography:...
as Alexanders Wife - Appa Haja as Madhu
- Thikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran NairThikkurissy Sukumaran Nair was a Malayali Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padmashri from the Government of India, which is one of the highest civilian honours in India....
as Madhus father - Kunchan as Kurupp
- Vijay Menon as Dr. Vijay
- Sadiq