Pathram
Encyclopedia
Pathram is a 1999 Malayalam film written by Renji Panicker
and directed by Joshi
, starring Suresh Gopi
, Murali, Manju Warrier
, N. F. Varghese
, and Biju Menon
. Considered as one of the best political dramas in Malayalam cinema
, this film was a commercial success.
), an associate editor with Keralareshmi, one of the leading dailies, is both aggressive and daring and enjoys a good reputation among the media circle. Born and brought up in Mumbai
, Nandan is the son of Venugopal, a daring journalist who was killed by textile mafia long back. Nandan, in Kochi
meets Sekharan (Murali), an old naxalite who is currently running 'Jagratha', a newspaper which is feared by political class. Sekharan's outspoken and belligerent nature had earned him more enemies than friends. He is constantly in fight with Vishwathan (N. F. Varghese
), who rules Kochi with his muscle and money power. Vishwanathan holds a large share in Keralareshmi, and also enjoys a huge political clout both at state and central levels. Shekharan brings out the role of Vishwanathan in the murder of Vincent Paul, which creates a panic in the political level. Vishwanathan eliminates Sekharan by planting a bomb under his car. Jagratha, the newspaper of Sekharan is now in the hands of Devika (Manju Warrier
), the only daughter of Sekharan, who is also an aggressive journalist like her father. Nandan, who was very close to Sekharan, decides to investigate the murder of Sekharan and realizes the role of Vishwanathn in it. Firoze Mohammed (Biju Menon
), the investigating officer, who is also a close friend of Nandan, is found dead one day. Nandan is arrested by police in a fabricated case and then sacked from Keralareshmi. He comes out on bail and decides to take law in his hands to avenge the death of Sekharan and Feroze. He shoots down Vishwanathan in the climax and takes over as the new managing editor of Jagratha.
and Malayala Manorama
, two leading media groups in Kerala
, as they felt the film put them in a bad light. As a result both these groups appealed to the government that this film should not be released. The press club was not ready to buy this argument and demanded that no censoring should be done on the film. Later this film was shown in a special screening and was censored by a special panel in New Delhi
. Pathram, was then boycotted by both Malayala Manorama
and Mathrubhumi
. But upon the release, Pathram broke many collection records and enjoyed a successful run of 150 days in many major centers. The dialogue penned by Renji Panicker
was considered the main reason for the success. Even though the film had no songs or no love angle, the film was surprisingly a huge hit among female viewers.
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 directed by Joshi
Joshi (director)
Joshiy is a popular Malayalam film director who is popular for big budget action movies with huge star cast. In his three decades long career, Joshi has made several big hits and is still active in film making.-Career:...
, 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...
, Murali, Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
, 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...
, and 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...
. Considered as one of the best political dramas 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...
, this film was a commercial success.
Synopsis
Nandagopal (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 associate editor with Keralareshmi, one of the leading dailies, is both aggressive and daring and enjoys a good reputation among the media circle. Born and brought up in 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...
, Nandan is the son of Venugopal, a daring journalist who was killed by textile mafia long back. Nandan, in Kochi
Kochi
-Places:* Kochi, a city in the state of Kerala, India, formerly known as Cochin* Kingdom of Cochin, a former feudal city-state on Malabar Coast, India** Fort Kochi, one of the three main urban components which constitute the present day city of Kochi, Kerala, India...
meets Sekharan (Murali), an old naxalite who is currently running 'Jagratha', a newspaper which is feared by political class. Sekharan's outspoken and belligerent nature had earned him more enemies than friends. He is constantly in fight with Vishwathan (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...
), who rules Kochi with his muscle and money power. Vishwanathan holds a large share in Keralareshmi, and also enjoys a huge political clout both at state and central levels. Shekharan brings out the role of Vishwanathan in the murder of Vincent Paul, which creates a panic in the political level. Vishwanathan eliminates Sekharan by planting a bomb under his car. Jagratha, the newspaper of Sekharan is now in the hands of Devika (Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier
Manju Warrier is an Indian film actress. She was among the popular lead actress in Malayalam cinema during the mid to late-1990s.She made her debut in Saakshyam...
), the only daughter of Sekharan, who is also an aggressive journalist like her father. Nandan, who was very close to Sekharan, decides to investigate the murder of Sekharan and realizes the role of Vishwanathn in it. Firoze Mohammed (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...
), the investigating officer, who is also a close friend of Nandan, is found dead one day. Nandan is arrested by police in a fabricated case and then sacked from Keralareshmi. He comes out on bail and decides to take law in his hands to avenge the death of Sekharan and Feroze. He shoots down Vishwanathan in the climax and takes over as the new managing editor of Jagratha.
Reception
Pathram upon release, faced opposition from MathrubhumiMathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
and Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
, two leading media groups 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....
, as they felt the film put them in a bad light. As a result both these groups appealed to the government that this film should not be released. The press club was not ready to buy this argument and demanded that no censoring should be done on the film. Later this film was shown in a special screening and was censored by a special panel in New Delhi
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital city of India. It serves as the centre of the Government of India and the Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi. New Delhi is situated within the metropolis of Delhi. It is one of the nine districts of Delhi Union Territory. The total area of the city is...
. Pathram, was then boycotted by both Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
and Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
. But upon the release, Pathram broke many collection records and enjoyed a successful run of 150 days in many major centers. The dialogue penned 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....
was considered the main reason for the success. Even though the film had no songs or no love angle, the film was surprisingly a huge hit among female viewers.
Trivia
- This was second film by JoshiJoshi (director)Joshiy is a popular Malayalam film director who is popular for big budget action movies with huge star cast. In his three decades long career, Joshi has made several big hits and is still active in film making.-Career:...
with 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....
. Their first film was LelamLelamLelam is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Joshiy, written by Renji Panicker, and starring Suresh Gopi, M. G. Soman, Siddique, N. F. Varghese, and Nandini. The story revolves around the rivalry between two liquor business groups. The film was a box office success and was among the highest-grossing...
, released in 1997. - The performance of 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...
, who played Vishwanathan, was highly appreciated and he became the first choice for all negative roles for next couple of years till his death. - This film was produced by Vijayakumar for Seven Arts International, a leading production house, which also had produced LelamLelamLelam is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Joshiy, written by Renji Panicker, and starring Suresh Gopi, M. G. Soman, Siddique, N. F. Varghese, and Nandini. The story revolves around the rivalry between two liquor business groups. The film was a box office success and was among the highest-grossing...
, in the previous year with the same team - JoshiJoshi (director)Joshiy is a popular Malayalam film director who is popular for big budget action movies with huge star cast. In his three decades long career, Joshi has made several big hits and is still active in film making.-Career:...
- 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....
-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...
. - The performance of Murali as Shekharan and 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...
as Feroze Mohammed were also critically appreciated. - Pathram severely criticized two major media houses in KeralaKeralaor 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....
, MathrubhumiMathrubhumiMathrubhumi is a Malayalam language newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. Mathrubhumi was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British.-History:...
and Malayala ManoramaMalayala ManoramaMalayala Manorama is a daily news paper, in Malayalam language, published in the state of Kerala, India. It was first published as a weekly on 14 March 1890, and currently has a readership of over 16 million . The Malayalam word "manorama" roughly translates to "entertainer"...
. - The camera was done by Sanjeev Shankar.