August 1 (film)
Encyclopedia
August 1 is a 1988 Malayalam film directed by Siby Malayil, written by S. N. Swami, and starring Mammootty
, Sukumaran
, Captain Raju
and Urvashi
. The film was produced and distributed by M. Mani under the banner of Sunitha Productions. August 1 is loosely based on the 1971 British novel The Day of the Jackal
by Frederick Forsyth
.
A sequel titled August 15
, directed by Shaji Kailas
, and scripted by S. N. Swami was released in March 2011.
), popularly known as KGR is elected as the new Chief Minister. A young turk with a clean image, KGR overshadowed Kazhuthumuttam (Prathapachandran
), another strong aspirant for CM's chair.
Just after the meeting, Kazhuthumuttam joins with Eranjoly Aboobakkar (Mamukkoya
) and Mathai Chacko Pappachan (Kollam Thulasi
) at a hotel room, to plan out the next move. Vishwanathan, commonly referred as Vishwam (KPAC Sunny), a high profile business tycoon and political lobbyist joins them at the hotel.
Vishwam, the political sponsor of Kazhuthumuttam is now in deep trouble as he has several business ambitions in the state. Vishwam has collected several million rupees from several businessmen, whom he had also given promises. If KGR continues in power, his plans would be tarnished.
KGR, on the other hand leads a simple life along with his wife Vatsala, a home maker. He brings out several revolutionary changes in the state, including dismissal of corrupt officers and changes in liquor policy of the state. Even Kaimal (Janardhanan
), his party president finds him too arrogant to tame. The popularity of KGR is on sudden rise.
It was then, Vishwan, decides to assassinate KGR. He puts out the plan in front of his friends, who also agrees. Vishwan contacts Muniyandi Thevar, a Malaysian based businessman and smuggler in Madras, who introduces him to a professional hit man (Captain Raju
).
But after the payment of the amount is done, Kazhuthumuttam feels cheated as again, he has been denied the CM's post. Kazhuthumuttam, in a state of intoxication, calls up Gopu (Sreenath
), a journalist and spits out the information that 'the Chief Minister will be assassinated shortly', but without committing his identity. Even though the caller does not give his name, the journalist identifies him as Kazhuthumuttam. He therefore passes the information to a friend of his, Perumal (Mammootty
), a police officer (DySP of Crime Branch).
Perumal doesn't seem to take this serious at first, and since the identification of the voice of the caller by the journalist is not positive, they conclude it is a prank call. Still they convey the message to the higher officials. Th IG of Police, still not thoroughly convinced, orders a routine investigation into the matter. Perumal is assigned the case and he begins his investigation by arresting Vishwam. But Vishwam couldn't give them any further details as he was also unaware about the whereabouts or name of the killer, except that the killer has introduced himself as Gomes, a fake name.
Perumal reaches Madras, from where, he arrests Thevar and brings him to Kerala. According to an eyewitness, Perumal issues a sketch of the killer and gets it broadcast on TV, but he skips from police miraculously.
On the day of August 15, when the CM is checking the guard of honor, Perumal waits eagerly with all police facilities to grab the killer. While scanning the CCTV feeds, Perumal observes Gomes among the police in uniform, in the line for the guard of honour. (The assasination setting is very similar to the July 30, 1987, attempted assassination of Rajiv Gandhi). Perumal sprints from the Control room and shoots down Gomes, before he can hit the CM, thereby saving KGR.
The final scene shows the burial of the assassin Gomes, where a deputy questions Perumal how he knew he was a Christian. Perumal replies that he doesn't and actually he is an unknown man (paying homage to the ending scene of the Day of the Jackal), but he is paying respect to the assassin going by the last name he was known to Perumal, subtly implying that the assassin had earned some grudging respect from him, possibly for his determination.
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...
, Sukumaran
Sukumaran
Edappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Sukumaran Nair , popularly known as Sukumaran, was an Indian film actor, and producer....
, 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...
and Urvashi
Urvashi (actress)
Kavitha Ranjini, better known by her stage name Urvashi , is an Indian film actress and producer. She was a prominent lead actress during the 1980s and 1990s in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films. She has dubbed in her own voice in all these languages. And she produced the film Pidakkozhi...
. The film was produced and distributed by M. Mani under the banner of Sunitha Productions. August 1 is loosely based on the 1971 British novel The Day of the Jackal
The Day of the Jackal
The Day of the Jackal is a thriller novel by English writer Frederick Forsyth, about a professional assassin who is contracted by the OAS, a French terrorist group of the early 1960s, to kill Charles de Gaulle, the President of France....
by Frederick Forsyth
Frederick Forsyth
Frederick Forsyth, CBE is an English author and occasional political commentator. He is best known for thrillers such as The Day of the Jackal, The Odessa File, The Fourth Protocol, The Dogs of War, The Devil's Alternative, The Fist of God, Icon, The Veteran, Avenger, The Afghan and The Cobra.-...
.
A sequel titled August 15
August 15 (2011 film)
August 15 is a 2011 Malayalam crime thriller film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by S. N. Swamy, and starring Mammootty. The film is produced by M. Mani and was released on March 24, 2011....
, directed by 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...
, and scripted by S. N. Swami was released in March 2011.
Plot
Just after the election, K.G. Ramachandran (SukumaranSukumaran
Edappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Sukumaran Nair , popularly known as Sukumaran, was an Indian film actor, and producer....
), popularly known as KGR is elected as the new Chief Minister. A young turk with a clean image, KGR overshadowed Kazhuthumuttam (Prathapachandran
Prathapachandran
Prathapachandran was a Malayalam film actor who left a vivid impression through his dramatic portrayal of villainous and character roles in over 300 movies. He was born in 1941 at Omallur in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. He died on December 16, 2004. He was 63.-Biography:Prathapachandran...
), another strong aspirant for CM's chair.
Just after the meeting, Kazhuthumuttam joins with Eranjoly Aboobakkar (Mamukkoya
Mamukkoya
Mamukkoya is a popular Malayalam comedian actor. His unique usage of Mappila dialect and style marks his presence in the industry. He has acted in more than 450 Malayalam films and is the first winner of State award for Best Comedian in malayalam films, the category introduced in 2009- Career...
) and Mathai Chacko Pappachan (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...
) at a hotel room, to plan out the next move. Vishwanathan, commonly referred as Vishwam (KPAC Sunny), a high profile business tycoon and political lobbyist joins them at the hotel.
Vishwam, the political sponsor of Kazhuthumuttam is now in deep trouble as he has several business ambitions in the state. Vishwam has collected several million rupees from several businessmen, whom he had also given promises. If KGR continues in power, his plans would be tarnished.
KGR, on the other hand leads a simple life along with his wife Vatsala, a home maker. He brings out several revolutionary changes in the state, including dismissal of corrupt officers and changes in liquor policy of the state. Even Kaimal (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...
), his party president finds him too arrogant to tame. The popularity of KGR is on sudden rise.
It was then, Vishwan, decides to assassinate KGR. He puts out the plan in front of his friends, who also agrees. Vishwan contacts Muniyandi Thevar, a Malaysian based businessman and smuggler in Madras, who introduces him to a professional hit man (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...
).
But after the payment of the amount is done, Kazhuthumuttam feels cheated as again, he has been denied the CM's post. Kazhuthumuttam, in a state of intoxication, calls up Gopu (Sreenath
Sreenath
Sreenath was a popular Malayalam film and television actor. He acted in many hit films, including Shalini Ente Koottukari, Ithu Njangalude Katha, Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, and Kireedam....
), a journalist and spits out the information that 'the Chief Minister will be assassinated shortly', but without committing his identity. Even though the caller does not give his name, the journalist identifies him as Kazhuthumuttam. He therefore passes the information to a friend of his, Perumal (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...
), a police officer (DySP of Crime Branch).
Perumal doesn't seem to take this serious at first, and since the identification of the voice of the caller by the journalist is not positive, they conclude it is a prank call. Still they convey the message to the higher officials. Th IG of Police, still not thoroughly convinced, orders a routine investigation into the matter. Perumal is assigned the case and he begins his investigation by arresting Vishwam. But Vishwam couldn't give them any further details as he was also unaware about the whereabouts or name of the killer, except that the killer has introduced himself as Gomes, a fake name.
Perumal reaches Madras, from where, he arrests Thevar and brings him to Kerala. According to an eyewitness, Perumal issues a sketch of the killer and gets it broadcast on TV, but he skips from police miraculously.
On the day of August 15, when the CM is checking the guard of honor, Perumal waits eagerly with all police facilities to grab the killer. While scanning the CCTV feeds, Perumal observes Gomes among the police in uniform, in the line for the guard of honour. (The assasination setting is very similar to the July 30, 1987, attempted assassination of Rajiv Gandhi). Perumal sprints from the Control room and shoots down Gomes, before he can hit the CM, thereby saving KGR.
The final scene shows the burial of the assassin Gomes, where a deputy questions Perumal how he knew he was a Christian. Perumal replies that he doesn't and actually he is an unknown man (paying homage to the ending scene of the Day of the Jackal), but he is paying respect to the assassin going by the last name he was known to Perumal, subtly implying that the assassin had earned some grudging respect from him, possibly for his determination.
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 Perumal, DySP, CB-CID. - SukumaranSukumaranEdappal Ponnamkuzhi Veettil Sukumaran Nair , popularly known as Sukumaran, was an Indian film actor, and producer....
as K. G. Ramachandran, Chief MinisterChief Minister (India)A Chief Minister is the elected head of government of a state of India. The chief minister is the head of the state Cabinet, and the leader of the state Legislature. By the Constitution of India, the chief minister is appointed by the Governor of the state....
. - Captain RajuCaptain RajuCaptain 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...
as Nicholas, the professional assassin known by different names in the film viz, Gomas and Mehta. - SreenathSreenathSreenath was a popular Malayalam film and television actor. He acted in many hit films, including Shalini Ente Koottukari, Ithu Njangalude Katha, Oru CBI Diary Kurippu, and Kireedam....
as Gopu, a journalist, reporter of Kerala Vartha (a fictional newspaper). - PrathapachandranPrathapachandranPrathapachandran was a Malayalam film actor who left a vivid impression through his dramatic portrayal of villainous and character roles in over 300 movies. He was born in 1941 at Omallur in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. He died on December 16, 2004. He was 63.-Biography:Prathapachandran...
as Kazhuthumuttam, a politician, MLA and leader of the ruling party, and an aspirant to the Chief Minister post. - JanardhananJanardhanan (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...
as Kaimal, a politician, President of the ruling party. - KPAC Sunny as Viswam, a businessman and political lobbyist.
- 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...
as Gopikkuttan, a personal assistant to Ramachandran (the Chief Minister). - G. K. Pillai as I.G. of Police
- MamukkoyaMamukkoyaMamukkoya is a popular Malayalam comedian actor. His unique usage of Mappila dialect and style marks his presence in the industry. He has acted in more than 450 Malayalam films and is the first winner of State award for Best Comedian in malayalam films, the category introduced in 2009- Career...
as Aboobacker, a politician, MLA, and leader of the ruling party. - 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 Pappachan, a politician, MLA, and leader of the ruling party. - Innocent as a thief.
- Vijayan as Muniyandi Thevar, a businessman based in Tamil Nadu.
- JagadishJagadishP. V. Jagadish Kumar , popularly known as Jagadish, is a Malayalam film actor and script writer. He became popular through performances in films such as Mukhachitram, In Harihar Nagar, Godfather, Welcome to Kodaikanal, Thiruthalvaadi, Mantrikacheppu, and Hitler...
as a Sub Inspector of the Tamil Nadu Police. - UrvashiUrvashi (actress)Kavitha Ranjini, better known by her stage name Urvashi , is an Indian film actress and producer. She was a prominent lead actress during the 1980s and 1990s in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu films. She has dubbed in her own voice in all these languages. And she produced the film Pidakkozhi...
as Vatsala, wife of K. G. Ramachandran (the Chief Minister). - LizyLizy (actress)Lissy Priyadarshan is a popular South Indian film actress of 1980s. She is popularly known by the mononym Lissy. Though, was a leading heroine in Malayalam, she had also acted in several Tamil and Telugu. She gave up acting after her marriage with famous film director Priyadarshan in 1990...
as a thief. - Poojappura Radhakrishnan as Hotel manager.
External links
- August 1 at Oneindia.inOneindia.inOneindia.in is an Indian online portal owned by Greynium Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd., which provides news updates, sports news, travel, entertainment, videos, and classifieds. Alexa Traffic Rank of Oneindia.in is ranked number 525 in the world and Google page rank of Oneindia.in is 7...