Advaitham
Encyclopedia
Advaitham is 1992 Malayalam political-crime film directed by Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning over two decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu...

 and written by T.Damodaran. It stars 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...

, Jayaram
Jayaram
Jayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...

, Revathi
Revathi
Revathi is an award-winning Indian actress and film director. She has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi movies, directed several feature-length films, and has acted in and produced multiple television programs, totaling over twenty years of experience in the entertainment...

, Innocent, and M. G. Soman
M. G. Soman
M. 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...

 in lead roles. The music was composed by Johnson. The film was a big success at the box office.

Plot

Swami Amritananda (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...

) arrives in Kerala on a mission to bring peace at the state, which is burning with communal riots. Sawimiji, who is worshiped and respected all over the world, receives death threats from different corners. Lakshmi (Revathi
Revathi
Revathi is an award-winning Indian actress and film director. She has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi movies, directed several feature-length films, and has acted in and produced multiple television programs, totaling over twenty years of experience in the entertainment...

), the district collector, is assigned to look after Swamiji's security. She warns Swamiji about the tensed situation and the dangers waiting him outside. The presence of Lakshmi, who had been the lover of Samiji in his past, brings back old memories to him.

Swami Amritananda, in his past life was Shivaprasad, the only son of his mother, who had to undergo unpleasant experiences in her home from her own brother Krishnan Kutty Menon (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...

), a police officer, who was loyal to the govt. Communist party in those days was facing strong restrictions from government for its anti-state activities. Shivan had always been a headache for his mother, for his rebellious nature. But Lakshmi, the daughter of Krishnan Kutty Menon was in love with him, which was opposed bitterly by Menon. Shivan, slowly got involved with Communist movement and in short time became their political goonda. Shivan gets involved in several petty crimes and thus invites more anger from his uncle Menon. Karthy, a lady party worker with strong naxalite leanings develops a strong passion towards Shivan, but he is unaware of it. Vasu (Jayaram
Jayaram
Jayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...

), his close friend since childhood, is a fun loving character, who always saves Shivan from several issues.

Shekharan (M. G. Soman
M. G. Soman
M. 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...

), the party leader identifies the potential of Shivan and decides to use it maximum for his own personal benefit. Unknowing the shroud tactics by Shekharan, Shivan gets involved in several crimes, one after another. One day, Karthy, in order to separate Lakshmi from Shivan, fabricates a story about her relation with him. She succeeds in making Lakshmi believe about her illicit affair with Shivan. Thinking that Shivan was just double dating her, Lakshmi informs police about Shivan's hideout and he is arrested and sentenced for a couple of years. This incident changes Shivan completely. He turns into a hardcore criminal, and develops a hatred towards Lakshmi.

In a couple of years, the political scene in the state changes. Communist Party wins power, and Shivan is released from jail. He is appointed as the secretary of temple Devaswom, and Lakshmi is now an IAS officer, who is now holding the post of Devaswom administrator under Shivan. He tries maximum to belittle her. Shivan, a complete corrupt person, now tries the maximum to loot the temple. The temple staff under Sreekanta Poduval (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....

) tries to protest, but ends in vain. Vasu is brought into the temple by Shivan, to create a division among the temple staff. Lakshmi tries to convince Vasu, but he expresses loyalty to Shivan, his close friend, without knowing his corrupt ways or political ambitions. Vasu, with in this time fall for the daughter of Parameshwaran Namboothiri (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....

), the head priest of the temple. But she avoids him completely. Vasu, a lower caste by birth, has no chance to win her, who is already engaged to Chitran Namboothiri (Manianpilla Raju
Manianpilla Raju
Maniyanpilla Raju is a Malayalam film actor and producer. Though his real name is Sudhir Kumar, he is known by the screen name Maniyanpilla Raju...

).

Under the instruction of Shekharan, Shivan steals the holy ornaments of the deity and accuses the head priest of stealing it. Vasu, who was on duty that night gives a false statement in the court accusing him. Parameshwaran Namboothiri commits suicide, which gives Vasu a mental shock. He, completely broken by this incident resigns from the job. The persuasion by Shivan was not well enough to block him, instead he even accuses Shivan for the death of Namboothiri. On way back, Vasu also indulges in a war of words with Lakshmi, who tries to abuse Shivan for his crimes. Vasu, under emotion reveals that it was Lakshmi's attitude that had made Shivan a complete criminal. He also asks her to meet Karthy, who is in jail, to know the truth about Shivan. In jail, Karthy reveals her that she had nothing with Shivan, and it was just a fabricated story to fool Lakshmi. Lakshmi, under strong remorse apologizes to Shivan, who now is no mood to listen to her. Shekharan understands the danger, if Vasu reveals the truth about the stolen ornaments in court. He tries to convince Vasu, but fails in doing so. He even threatens to go to police to reveal the truth. To protect himself, Shekharan kills Vasu and dumps his body in the river.

Shivan, knowing the death of Vasu, is broken down and in a range attacks Shekharan in the party office. He is jailed by Shekharan and is framed in a false case of killing Vasu. In jail, Shivan undergoes serious mental changes. He transforms completely and adopts spirituality as a remorse for the crimes committed. Upon release, he leaves to North India and undertakes sansyas and adopts the name Swami Amritananda. After long years, now he is back in Kerala. Shekharan, within time has emerged as a strong figure in politics and is the mastermind behind the communal riots. He, plans to finish off Swamiji. Lakshmi arrests several king pins in next day, from whom, gets relevant information about the plan to finish off Swamiji. A dog is send to Swamiji, on which a bomb is tied, and Lakshmi blocks the dog, making it blast, killing herself, but saving Swamiji. He, shocked by this incident decides to give up his sainthood and takes law in hands. Swami Amritananda thus once again becomes Shivan and finishes off Shekharan and his company of evil forces.
Trivia=
  • This was the third film of Priyadarshan
    Priyadarshan
    Priyadarshan is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter. In a career spanning over two decades, Priyadarshan has directed over 80 films in several Indian languages including Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu...

     with T.Damodaran. Earlier they had worked together for Aryan (1988) and Abhimanyu (1991). Later again, they joined for Kala Pani
    Kala Pani (1996 film)
    Kaalapani is a 1996 Indian epic film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Mohanlal, Prabhu Ganesan, Tabu, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Tinnu Anand, Annu Kapoor, Alex Draper, Amrish Puri, and Vineeth...

    (1996) and Megham
    Megham
    Megham is a 1999 Malayalam musical comedy film directed by Priyadarshan, starring Mammootty, Priya Gill, Dileep, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Pooja Batra, Sreenivasan, Nedumudi Venu, Captain Raju, and Cochin Haneefa. The music was composed by Ouseppachan...

     (1999).
  • This was the third film for which Jayaram
    Jayaram
    Jayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...

     and 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...

     joined together. earlier Jayaram had acted in Ulsavapittennu
    Ulsavapittennu
    Ulsavapittennu is a 1989 Malayalam Indian film by Bharath Gopi and featuring Mohanlal, Parvathy and Sukumaran. The film was one of the few directorial ventures of Bharath Gopi and featured a strong performance from Mohanlal in the lead role.- Plot :...

    (1988) and Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
    Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal
    Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal is a 1989 Malayalam film directed by Kamal and written by Ranjith. The film stars Jayaram and Parvathi. Mohanlal makes a cameo role.-Plot:...

    (1988).Later again they joined for Summer in Bethlahem
    Summer In Bethlahem
    Summer in Bethlehem is a 1998 Malayalam film written by Ranjith and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Suresh Gopi, Jayaram, and Manju Warrier in the lead roles with a cameo appearance by Mohanlal. The music was composed by Vidyasagar.The film was shot among the forest hills and farms of Ooty...

    (1998), though had no combination scenes. Again in 2008, they joined for Twenty: 20. And they teamed up once more for Chinatown.
  • On the sets of Advaitham, actor Alummoodan suffered a severe cardiac arrest and passed away in seconds, falling on the laps 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...

    .

Cast

  • 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...

     ... Shivaprasad
  • Jayaram
    Jayaram
    Jayaram is an Indian film actor who mainly acts in Malayalam and Tamil films. He is also a chenda percussionist and mimic artist. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India for his contribution towards the arts.-Early life:...

     ... Vasu
  • Revathi
    Revathi
    Revathi is an award-winning Indian actress and film director. She has acted in Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi movies, directed several feature-length films, and has acted in and produced multiple television programs, totaling over twenty years of experience in the entertainment...

     ... Lakshmi Menon
  • M. G. Soman
    M. G. Soman
    M. 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...

     ... Shekharan
  • Innocent ... Seshadri Iyer
  • Captain Raju
    Captain Raju
    Captain Raju is a Malayalam film actor. He was born at Omallur in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala.After finishing his graduation in Zoology, Raju joined the Indian Army as a first class officer at the age of 21. He started acting in films after leaving the army service. He has acted in more than...

     ... Pathrose
  • Srividya
    Srividya
    Srividya was a leading Indian film actress of the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s in the Tamil film Industry, in addition to being a good singer. In the latter part of her career, she concentrated on Malayalam films. Her brilliant portrayals as a mother in many films were highly acclaimed....

     ... Saraswathy
  • Renuka ...
  • 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...

     ... Krishnan Kutty Menon
  • 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...

     ... Kaiyathan
  • Jagannatha Varma
    Jagannatha Varma
    K. N. Jagannatha Varma is a Malayalam film and seriel actor. He is also an accomplished Kathakali artist.his son Manu Varma also a recoganized artist and his son in law Viji Thampi is a well known Film Director. He acted in a number of Malayalam movies performing stereo typical roles of a senior...

     ... Sreedharan
  • Chitra ... Karthy
  • 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....

     ... Sreekanta Pothuwal
  • 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....

     ... Parameswaran Nampoothiri
  • Manianpilla Raju
    Manianpilla Raju
    Maniyanpilla Raju is a Malayalam film actor and producer. Though his real name is Sudhir Kumar, he is known by the screen name Maniyanpilla Raju...

     ... Chithran Nampoothiri
  • Sankaradi
    Sankaradi
    Sankaradi was an Indian actor. He was a veteran Malayalam comedian and character artiste, who had over 700 Malayalam films to his credit....

     ... Gopalan Nair
  • Sukumari
    Sukumari
    Sukumari is an Indian film actress who has primarily acted in Malayalam and Tamil films. She has been acting since she was 10 years old and has acted in various roles. The total number of her films is presumed to be about two-thousand. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of...

     ... Naniyamma
  • Raghavan ... Kizhakkedathu Brahmadathan Nampoothiri
  • Vineeth Kumar ... Young Sivaprasad
  • Alummoodan ... Minister
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