Mahathma
Encyclopedia
'Mahathma' is a 1996 Malayalam action film. Directed by Shaji Kailas
, with Suresh Gopi
, Ganesh Kumar
, Devan
, Rajan P. Dev
, Biju Menon
and Ramya Krishnan
appearing in lead roles, this film revolved the growth of an underworld don. The story is unfolded in flashback, travelling through the memories of Devadevan, the protagonist. Produced at a huge budget, the film bombed at box office. It is an adaptation of the 1983 Al Pacino
film Scarface
.
), an underworld don decides to appear in front of Justice Varma Commission, which is holding up a probe into the serial blasts that claimed hundreds of innocent lives. Devadevan's claim of divulging solid evidence of the hands of several top politicians and underworld in the blasts and communal riots that followed made many of his rivals sleepless. Just on reaching the court premise, he is shot on point blank. Severely wounded Devan is admitted in ICU, from where, his memories travels down to his early days in crime. Devadevan, a suspect under trail along with Mustafa (Biju Menon
), his trusted right arm is bailed out by Khan Sahib (Rajan P. Dev
), a smuggler on behalf of David Abraham (Kitty), a Dubai based underworld don. Up on release both Devan and Mustafa are provided safe accommodation at Khan's house, where he meets up Nancy (Ramya Krishnan
), the daughter of Khan's second wife in her first marriage. An upcoming movie star, Nancy fells in love with Devan within short time. Devan and Mustafa commits several smuggling operations for Khan and slowly rises up in career. Up on realizing that Khan is double crossing him, David Abraham kills him and appoints Devadevan as his representative in India. Devan and Mustafa emerge as undisputed dons in the country. During that time, on a visit to Kerala
, Devan meets up Harikrishnan (Ganesh Kumar
), his childhood buddy undergoing a fast to protest against the new reservation policy of the government. Devan pledges to support Harikrishnan, a Namboothiri youth, who is in deep financial crisis. Hari is appointed as the second in command of Devan, who upon Devan's advice gives up his yajnopaveetham. James Kutty (Devan
), a narcotic drug smuggler along with Reddiar (Sahadevan) tries all ways to finish up the empire of Devan, but all in vain. In retaliation Hari kills the son of Reddiar. Baba Rahim (N. F. Varghese
), central home minister, Reddiar and James forms a league to finish off Devan. David Abraham, who was now losing turf to Devan too joins them and provides explosives and ammunition required to create a severe blast along with a communal riot that could deviate public attention from the series of corruption allegations against his men in power, including Baba Rahim. Mustafa in meantime fells in love with Saraswati (Devayani), the younger sister of Hari, who objects her sister's love towards a Muslim. Hari is shocked to find that Mustafa is supported by Devan and splits ways with him. Hari is allured by James and is used effectively to transport explosives into the city. The serial blasts breaks down Devan, who is shocked to find that his name is dragged into it effectively by David Abraham and gang. Mustafa is killed by James. Devan finishes off David Abraham and James. He was then to appear in front of Justice Varma Commission, when was shot point blank by Harikrishnan. At hospital, upon discharging from ICU, Devan is transferred to ward, where Justice Varma meets him up. But Varma plays double game, whereby removing the bullets from Devan's pistol successfully. Just minutes after the exit of Varma, Hari enters his ward and tries to shoot him up. But Devan successfully escapes. While following Devan, Hari gets into a car, but the cabbie was Koshy (Maniyan Pillai Raju), the attorney of Devan (Maniyan Pillai Raju), who locks the car from outside, in which a bomb was planted. Devan, using his remote control blows up the car killing Hari.
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...
, with 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...
, 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...
, 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...
, Rajan P. Dev
Rajan P. Dev
Rajan 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...
, Biju Menon
Biju Menon
Biju Menon is an Indian film actor who has mainly worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Mannar Mathai Speaking...
and Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
appearing in lead roles, this film revolved the growth of an underworld don. The story is unfolded in flashback, travelling through the memories of Devadevan, the protagonist. Produced at a huge budget, the film bombed at box office. It is an adaptation of the 1983 Al Pacino
Al Pacino
Alfredo James "Al" Pacino is an American film and stage actor and director. He is famous for playing mobsters, including Michael Corleone in The Godfather trilogy, Tony Montana in Scarface, Alphonse "Big Boy" Caprice in Dick Tracy and Carlito Brigante in Carlito's Way, though he has also appeared...
film Scarface
Scarface (1983 film)
Scarface is a 1983 American epic crime drama movie directed by Brian De Palma, written by Oliver Stone, produced by Martin Bregman and starring Al Pacino as Tony Montana...
.
Plot
Devadevan (Suresh GopiSuresh 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...
), an underworld don decides to appear in front of Justice Varma Commission, which is holding up a probe into the serial blasts that claimed hundreds of innocent lives. Devadevan's claim of divulging solid evidence of the hands of several top politicians and underworld in the blasts and communal riots that followed made many of his rivals sleepless. Just on reaching the court premise, he is shot on point blank. Severely wounded Devan is admitted in ICU, from where, his memories travels down to his early days in crime. Devadevan, a suspect under trail along with Mustafa (Biju Menon
Biju Menon
Biju Menon is an Indian film actor who has mainly worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Mannar Mathai Speaking...
), his trusted right arm is bailed out by Khan Sahib (Rajan P. Dev
Rajan P. Dev
Rajan 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...
), a smuggler on behalf of David Abraham (Kitty), a Dubai based underworld don. Up on release both Devan and Mustafa are provided safe accommodation at Khan's house, where he meets up Nancy (Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan
Ramya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
), the daughter of Khan's second wife in her first marriage. An upcoming movie star, Nancy fells in love with Devan within short time. Devan and Mustafa commits several smuggling operations for Khan and slowly rises up in career. Up on realizing that Khan is double crossing him, David Abraham kills him and appoints Devadevan as his representative in India. Devan and Mustafa emerge as undisputed dons in the country. During that time, on a visit to 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....
, Devan meets up Harikrishnan (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...
), his childhood buddy undergoing a fast to protest against the new reservation policy of the government. Devan pledges to support Harikrishnan, a Namboothiri youth, who is in deep financial crisis. Hari is appointed as the second in command of Devan, who upon Devan's advice gives up his yajnopaveetham. James Kutty (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 narcotic drug smuggler along with Reddiar (Sahadevan) tries all ways to finish up the empire of Devan, but all in vain. In retaliation Hari kills the son of Reddiar. Baba Rahim (N. F. Varghese
N. F. Varghese
N. F. Varghese was a Malayalam film actor. He began his career as a mimicry artist, acting in minor roles, but later he turned to strong villain roles. Akashadoothu was his major break through in career, which was his third film. He has acted in more than 100 films. He died at the age of 53 when...
), central home minister, Reddiar and James forms a league to finish off Devan. David Abraham, who was now losing turf to Devan too joins them and provides explosives and ammunition required to create a severe blast along with a communal riot that could deviate public attention from the series of corruption allegations against his men in power, including Baba Rahim. Mustafa in meantime fells in love with Saraswati (Devayani), the younger sister of Hari, who objects her sister's love towards a Muslim. Hari is shocked to find that Mustafa is supported by Devan and splits ways with him. Hari is allured by James and is used effectively to transport explosives into the city. The serial blasts breaks down Devan, who is shocked to find that his name is dragged into it effectively by David Abraham and gang. Mustafa is killed by James. Devan finishes off David Abraham and James. He was then to appear in front of Justice Varma Commission, when was shot point blank by Harikrishnan. At hospital, upon discharging from ICU, Devan is transferred to ward, where Justice Varma meets him up. But Varma plays double game, whereby removing the bullets from Devan's pistol successfully. Just minutes after the exit of Varma, Hari enters his ward and tries to shoot him up. But Devan successfully escapes. While following Devan, Hari gets into a car, but the cabbie was Koshy (Maniyan Pillai Raju), the attorney of Devan (Maniyan Pillai Raju), who locks the car from outside, in which a bomb was planted. Devan, using his remote control blows up the car killing Hari.
Trivia
- This is the only script that T.Damodaran wrote for 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...
. - Though made on a huge budget, with a strong casting, the film received negative response and bombed at box office.
- It was basically the lack of a strong story and screen play that led to the failure.
- Though was heroine, Ramya KrishnanRamya KrishnanRamya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
appeared in just one song and three scenes, hardly having any dialogs. - Devayani appeared in just three scenes in the entire movie.
- For the first time Biju Menon appeared in a Shaji Kailas film.
- The film uses ABBAABBAABBA was a Swedish pop group formed in Stockholm in 1970 which consisted of Anni-Frid Lyngstad, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Agnetha Fältskog...
's "Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money"Money, Money, Money", originally "Gypsy Girl", is a song recorded by Swedish pop group ABBA. The song, like most ABBA songs, was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. It was released as a single on November 1, 1976, as the follow-up single to "Dancing Queen, both from the album Arrival...
" as the background song to mark Devadevan's transition as the Mafia king.
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...
- Devadevan - Biju MenonBiju MenonBiju Menon is an Indian film actor who has mainly worked in Malayalam, Tamil, and Telugu films. He appears mostly in supporting roles, but has also acted in antagonistic roles. He made his debut in 1995 in Mannar Mathai Speaking...
- Mustafa - Ramya KrishnanRamya KrishnanRamya Krishnan is an actress who performs in Indian cinema. She has acted in over 200 films in five languages; Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi.-Early life and background:...
- Nancy - Kitty - David Abraham
- 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...
- Khan Sahib - Maniyan Pillai Raju- Attorney
- N. F. VargheseN. F. VargheseN. F. Varghese was a Malayalam film actor. He began his career as a mimicry artist, acting in minor roles, but later he turned to strong villain roles. Akashadoothu was his major break through in career, which was his third film. He has acted in more than 100 films. He died at the age of 53 when...
- Baba Rahim - 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...
- Harikrishnan - 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...
- James Kutty - Sadiq - Sukumaran
- Karamana Janardanan NairKaramana Janardanan NairKaramana Janardanan Nair was one of the most famous Malayalam film actors during the 80s and 90s. He won wide acclaim especially for the role of the protagonist in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Elippathayam. He is best remembered for his roles in Agnidevan and in Sphadikam . His last role was as Fr....
-Ramakrishna Kurup - Sahadevan - Reddiar
- Appahaja - Reporter
- C. I. Paul - Madhavan Nair
- 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...
-Minister - Jose PellisseryJose PellisseryJose Pellissery was an Indian film and theatre actor.-Biography:As an actor in Malayalam cinema, he played supporting roles in about 100 films. His 15-year film career included roles in such movies as Aadhaaram, Akashadoothu, Nadodi, and Ghazal.Pellissery was a partner of the theatre company...
- Chief Minister - Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair- Valiya Thirumeni
- Vimal Raj - Satish Shetty
- Devayani-Saraswathi
- Azeez -Jailor
- Usharani -Nancy's Mother
- Renuka -Ramakrishna Kurup's Daughter
Songs
- Brahma - SwarnalathaSwarnalathaSwarnalatha was a Indian playback singer. From 1987 onward, she rendered nearly 7000 songs in many languages including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Urdu, Bengali, Oriya, Punjabi and Badaga....
- Dhyaaye Nithyam - Satheesh Babu
- Pullorkudavum - M G Sreekumar
- Raavirulum - K J Yesudas