Season (film)
Encyclopedia
Season is a 1989 Indian Malayalam film written and directed by Padmarajan
. The film, though was not failure at the box office
, stands apart because of Padmarajan's story-telling style, realistic portrayal of drug trade in Kovalam and flawless performance of Mohanlal
and is considered now as a cult classic. The story is set in beautiful locales of Kovalam
beach in Kerala and Poojappura Central Prison, Trivandrum.The film also showed how narration can be used as a strong tool in storytelling. Many feel that this movie was much ahead of time and if it would had released in late nineties, would had broken several collection records.
) is taken to central jail from court. It is the year 1988. In his own words, "My name is Jeevan. I feel so depressed to know that I can't see this snow filled morning and the street lamps for years; but little would benefit in regretting now".
The story now moves back to 1982, at Kovalam
where Jeevan is running a restaurant. He also is involved in sale and purchase of several smuggled foreign goods along with transfer of foreign currency. Popularly and fondly called by everyone as 'Uncle', Jeevan is one of the richest businessman in Kovalam, and has no bad vices. He is a real mystery to all, as he also keeps everyone away from his personal life. Porinju (Ashokan
)and Kanthi (Maniyan Pilla Raju), two jobless youths are involved in small time drug business to meet the both ends. Both have their own families and personal issues and dreams of being rich one day. They, one day meets Fabien, an European tourist, who wants them to get three kilos of brown sugar for huge price. Both Porinju and Kanthi are allured into this deal. Jeevan supports them by lending 1.5 lakhs, on the condition that they will give up drug business after this. Both Porinju and Kanthi leaves to Goa and comes back a week later at night with the stuff. They directly goes to the restaurant run by Jeevan and informs him about it. Jeevan warns them to be careful. Both the chaps informs Fabien about the stuff and asks him to reach below the lighthouse at night. But at night, Fabien plays foul and shoots down Porinju. Meantime Merlin (Leena Nair), the girl friend of Fabien breaks into the house of Jeevan and steals around four lakhs rupees along with gold. On getting the information Jeevan comes to the house, but find it completely ransacked. Kanthi, who got escaped from Fabien reaches Jeevan and informs him about the death of Porinju. He takes Jeevan to the hut where Fabien was staying with Merlin. But Fabien had within the time escaped with the currency and drugs. He had jilted even Merlin. She was assaulted and left back. Jeevan finds her with both hands and legs tied. She informs him that Fabien is on way and they won't be able to chase him. She also informs that he is a psychopath killer. Kanthi takes the car of Jeevan and leaves to chase Fabien, but is killed on way by him. The next day, police recovers the body of both Porinju and Kanthi. Jeevan is shocked to find that Merlin has also committed suicide by taking sleeping pills. Jeevan is main suspect as Kanthi's body was found in his car and merlin was found dead in his house. He is arrested and sentenced to jail. But prosecution couldn't nail for murders of Porinju and Kanthi as there were no proofs. He gets 5 year jail term for the death of Merlin. It was just weeks before his release that Fabien enters his jail. Jeevan agrees to help Fabien in escaping from jail, if he pays Rs 5 lakhs. After the release, Jeevan plans everything and is back in jail for a petty crime. His sole aim is to finish of Fabien. The film then jump cuts to the present. On the day of Gandhijayanthi, when, all the cops are busy with the celebrations. Jeevan escapes from jail with Fabien. On way, he collects Rs. 5 lakhs from an agent and pays it to Jeevan. After collecting the amount, Jeevan in a fiery fight finishes of Fabien.
Jeevan goes back to central jail when his voice over comes in background with the visual of him driving the van and images of passing street lights in the plain glass of the van "I am getting sad to know that I am going to miss these street lights again.I had great comfort when she (one of his friend's lovers) accepted the money (that Jeevan took from Fabien) and the happy thing for me is that this time is that they won't have any situational evidences against me; but only evidence, the real evidence. Its on my shirt, on my face, on my hands...and everywhere ". He smiles triumphantly and reaches back at the prison. When the cops ask about Fabien, Jeevan walks with a winning smile and opens the door of the van where the cops find Fabien's corpse.
Padmarajan
P. Padmarajan was an Indian author, screenwriter, and film director who contributed in Malayalam language. Padmarajan was the founder of a new school of film making in Malayalam, along with Bharathan, in the 1980s, which created films that were widely received while also being critically acclaimed...
. The film, though was not failure at the box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
, stands apart because of Padmarajan's story-telling style, realistic portrayal of drug trade in Kovalam and flawless performance of Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal 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...
and is considered now as a cult classic. The story is set in beautiful locales of Kovalam
Kovalam
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:...
beach in Kerala and Poojappura Central Prison, Trivandrum.The film also showed how narration can be used as a strong tool in storytelling. Many feel that this movie was much ahead of time and if it would had released in late nineties, would had broken several collection records.
Plot
Jeevan (MohanlalMohanlal
Mohanlal 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...
) is taken to central jail from court. It is the year 1988. In his own words, "My name is Jeevan. I feel so depressed to know that I can't see this snow filled morning and the street lamps for years; but little would benefit in regretting now".
The story now moves back to 1982, at Kovalam
Kovalam
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:...
where Jeevan is running a restaurant. He also is involved in sale and purchase of several smuggled foreign goods along with transfer of foreign currency. Popularly and fondly called by everyone as 'Uncle', Jeevan is one of the richest businessman in Kovalam, and has no bad vices. He is a real mystery to all, as he also keeps everyone away from his personal life. Porinju (Ashokan
Ashokan
Ashokan may refer to:* The Ashokan Center, a Catskills outdoor education center and retreat facility* Ashokan Reservoir, part of the New York City watershed* "Ashokan Farewell", a song* Ashokan , an actor in Malayalam cinema...
)and Kanthi (Maniyan Pilla Raju), two jobless youths are involved in small time drug business to meet the both ends. Both have their own families and personal issues and dreams of being rich one day. They, one day meets Fabien, an European tourist, who wants them to get three kilos of brown sugar for huge price. Both Porinju and Kanthi are allured into this deal. Jeevan supports them by lending 1.5 lakhs, on the condition that they will give up drug business after this. Both Porinju and Kanthi leaves to Goa and comes back a week later at night with the stuff. They directly goes to the restaurant run by Jeevan and informs him about it. Jeevan warns them to be careful. Both the chaps informs Fabien about the stuff and asks him to reach below the lighthouse at night. But at night, Fabien plays foul and shoots down Porinju. Meantime Merlin (Leena Nair), the girl friend of Fabien breaks into the house of Jeevan and steals around four lakhs rupees along with gold. On getting the information Jeevan comes to the house, but find it completely ransacked. Kanthi, who got escaped from Fabien reaches Jeevan and informs him about the death of Porinju. He takes Jeevan to the hut where Fabien was staying with Merlin. But Fabien had within the time escaped with the currency and drugs. He had jilted even Merlin. She was assaulted and left back. Jeevan finds her with both hands and legs tied. She informs him that Fabien is on way and they won't be able to chase him. She also informs that he is a psychopath killer. Kanthi takes the car of Jeevan and leaves to chase Fabien, but is killed on way by him. The next day, police recovers the body of both Porinju and Kanthi. Jeevan is shocked to find that Merlin has also committed suicide by taking sleeping pills. Jeevan is main suspect as Kanthi's body was found in his car and merlin was found dead in his house. He is arrested and sentenced to jail. But prosecution couldn't nail for murders of Porinju and Kanthi as there were no proofs. He gets 5 year jail term for the death of Merlin. It was just weeks before his release that Fabien enters his jail. Jeevan agrees to help Fabien in escaping from jail, if he pays Rs 5 lakhs. After the release, Jeevan plans everything and is back in jail for a petty crime. His sole aim is to finish of Fabien. The film then jump cuts to the present. On the day of Gandhijayanthi, when, all the cops are busy with the celebrations. Jeevan escapes from jail with Fabien. On way, he collects Rs. 5 lakhs from an agent and pays it to Jeevan. After collecting the amount, Jeevan in a fiery fight finishes of Fabien.
Jeevan goes back to central jail when his voice over comes in background with the visual of him driving the van and images of passing street lights in the plain glass of the van "I am getting sad to know that I am going to miss these street lights again.I had great comfort when she (one of his friend's lovers) accepted the money (that Jeevan took from Fabien) and the happy thing for me is that this time is that they won't have any situational evidences against me; but only evidence, the real evidence. Its on my shirt, on my face, on my hands...and everywhere ". He smiles triumphantly and reaches back at the prison. When the cops ask about Fabien, Jeevan walks with a winning smile and opens the door of the van where the cops find Fabien's corpse.
Cast
- 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...
as Jeevan - Gavin PackardGavin PackardGavin Packard is a British origin Indian actor. He had worked in Bollywood as well as other Indian language films like Malayalam, Telugu etc. He played the villain roles in many super hit films of 90's like Mohra, Tadipaar and Chamatkar. He had also acted in Malayalam films like Aayushkalam, Season...
as Fabiyen Remenez - Maniyan Pilla Raju as Kanthi
- AshokanAshokanAshokan may refer to:* The Ashokan Center, a Catskills outdoor education center and retreat facility* Ashokan Reservoir, part of the New York City watershed* "Ashokan Farewell", a song* Ashokan , an actor in Malayalam cinema...
as Porinju - Shari as Indira
- Leena Nair as Merlin
- Jagathy SreekumarJagathy SreekumarSreekumar 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...
- Thodupuzha Vasanthi as Salomi
- ThilakanThilakanSurendranatha Thilakan , known mononymously as Thilakan, is an Indian actor who works in Malayalam cinema and theatre. He was awarded Padma Shri on 25 January 2009.- Theatre:...
as Kanthi's Father - Azeez as Jailor
- Prem Prakash as Man Coming to Buy the TV
- Valsala Menon as Lady Coming to Buy the TV
- Oduvil UnnikrishnanOduvil UnnikrishnanOduvil Unnikrishnan was an award winning Malayalam movie actor known for his versatile acting skills, known for his portrayal of classical ancient aristocratic personalities in Malayalam cinema with his unique provincial linguistic style, expressions and dialect. He was noted as a serious as well...
as Thirumeni - Santhakumari as Porinchu's Mother
- Krishna Prasad as House Keeper
Credits
- Director - P. Padmarajan
- Music Director - Ilayaraja
- Singers - K. S. ChithraK. S. ChithraK. S. Chithra often credited as Chithra , is an Indian playback singer who has made her mark in the Indian music playback industry. Popularly known as Chinna Kuyil of South India, she has lent her voice to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, Badaga and Punjabi films...
, JayachandranJayachandranPaliyath Jayachandran, popularly known as P. Jayachandran is an Indian playback singer. He has won one National Award, four Kerala State Awards and four Tamil Nadu State Awards. He has recorded songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi languages...