Bhoothakkannadi
Encyclopedia
Bhoothakkannadi is a 1997 Malayalam film directed by Lohithadas
. It tells the story of Vidyadharan (Mammootty
), a clocksmith
's incapability to deal with the harsh realities of his life. This was Lohithadas
's first movie as a director and was critically acclaimed. Lohithadas won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director
at the National Film Awards
. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
in 1997. Mammootty won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor
.
In flashback it is revealed that Vidyadharan, a small village clocksmith and a widower lived with his only daughter. His wife had died from a snake bite years ago. However his childhood friend and love interest Sarojini lives next to his house. Sarojini was left by her husband after living together only for a night from which she has a daughter who has grown to a teenager. Vidyadharan is paranoid from the fear of snakes possibly due to his wife's death in the past. He carries a flashlight through the village lanes even in broad daylight.
Although Vidyadharan's extended family disapproves of his on off relationship with Sarojini, his daughter and Sarojini's daughter are like sisters. We are also introduced to a host of supporting characters in the sleepy palakkadan hamlet like Vidyadaran's sister, his friend near watch repairing shop, the drunkard who carries a rifle etc.
Their simple world in the sleepy hamlet is turned upside down one day as Sarojini's teenage daughter goes missing. After much investigations, her body is found inside a cave on a hilltop and it is revealed that she was gang raped. There are no evidence pointing to anyone. Yet another case of sexual offence against young girls in the area.
Deep inside, Vidyadharan feels that its the drunk hunter,who is behind the crime. While the police investigates and declares the hunter innocent, a battle of words ensue between Vidyadharan and the hunter and by mistake, Vidyadharan kills the hunter and hence is serving the imprisonment.
He leads a calm life inside the prison campus and is a pet of the jail warden. While Sarojini visits Vidyadharan frequently, his daughter had been taken away by her mothers family.
During one of her visits , Sarojini tells him that she met Vidyadharan's daughter and that she has grown up. He wishes to meet her but is informed that her mother's family will not give her the permission to do so. During the visit, Sarojini also apprises Vidyadharan about the increasing number of rapes and molestations and recounts the fate of her daughter. Vidyadharan is visibly disturbed by this social scenario, more so as his daughter is also growing up in such a society. He starts developing the anxiousness and insecurity of a father of an adolescent girl.
Vidyadharan's release date comes nearer and during one of Sarojini's visit, he tells her that upon release, he would go to a land far away with Sarojini and his daughter and would live happily. He entrusts Sarojini the job of bringing his daughter from her maternal home after convincing her. Sarojini agrees.
As days are nearing for the release, Vidyadharan is happy and roams around the jail. During his regular afternoon strolls, to his surprise, Vidyadharan find a hole in the thick jail wall. Vidyadharan tactfully clears the hole and uses his magnifying lens to check if he is able to view something. To his luck, he finds that the eyesize hole is dug through the entire thickness and he is able to see the hilltop just outside the jail. Vidyadharan is amused but is careful not to let other inmates / constables know about the same, especially his release date being so close.
During his free time, Vidyadharan then sees the small family of blind singers living on the hilltop and their beautiful daughter. He sees their small time existence and as to how beautifully they sing. He also finds that one of the jail constables also intervening in their life telling them to move out of the place. When Vidyadharan meets this constable inside the jail, he is unable to express his anger. He also recollects the misbehaviour of the same man once Sarojini visited him. Vidyadharan concludes that the constable is not a good man.
The other day Vidyadharan witnesses a celebration in the small hut of blind singers. It is revealed that the beautiful daughter has become adolescent. Vidyadharan is also very happy as his own daughter would also be of the same age now.
As he looks on another day, while the beautiful young girl is alone in the hut, he sees the cruel poilceman going inside. This is followed by the girls shrieks and violent cry for help. As she comes running outside, Vidyadharan sees the police constable chasing her like a mad dog. Vidyadharan tries to seek help but his voice is not heard. Stranded within the campus, Vidyadharan is totally helpless.
The blind singers come back home to find the shocking news. They are shattered and in the heat of loss they suffered, they decide to punish themselves by setting fire to the house and themselves. And Vidyadharan watches as the silent spectator.
The next morning the constable comes in front of the inmates for checking. Vidyadharan has lost all control by now and he attacks the constable accusing him of the life of the three innocent people. The inmates and the jail warden run in. Vidyadharan shows the hole and describes the entire episode to the jailer. The jailer hears in disbelief and orders both Vidyadharan and the constable to be taken for medical aid.
The jailer inspects the hole and feels sorry for Vidyadharan. As he leaves, the camera zooms towards the hole. It is revealed that there is no such hole there and its just a small piece of mortar that has detached from the cement on the strong wall. The hole and the entire episode was an imagination of Vidyadharan's turbulent state of mind.
As Sarojini comes to the jail with Vidyadharan's daughter, he has a blank face, turns towards them and asks "Aara?" [Who are you?]. The movie concludes with the aerial shot of a train departing from the station.
Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas was an Indian screenwriter, director, and producer known for his extensive work in Malayalam cinema....
. It tells the story of Vidyadharan (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 clocksmith
Clockmaker
A clockmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs clocks. Since almost all clocks are now factory-made, most modern clockmakers only repair clocks. Modern clockmakers may be employed by jewellers, antique shops, and places devoted strictly to repairing clocks and watches...
's incapability to deal with the harsh realities of his life. This was Lohithadas
Lohithadas
Ambazhathil Karunakaran Lohithadas was an Indian screenwriter, director, and producer known for his extensive work in Malayalam cinema....
's first movie as a director and was critically acclaimed. Lohithadas won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director
Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director
The Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director is a National Film Award - Golden Lotus Award, given to a feature film director's first film.The National Film Award - Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director winners:...
at the National Film Awards
National Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
. The film won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
Kerala State Film Award for Best Film
The Kerala State Film Award for Best Film winners:- References :* * Specific...
in 1997. Mammootty won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Malayalam)
The Filmfare Best Actor Award is given by the Filmfare magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards South for Malayalam film lead actors. The award was first given in 1972 with Madhu being the first recipient....
.
Synopsis
Movie opens with Vidyadharan serving the jail imprisonment for a murder.In flashback it is revealed that Vidyadharan, a small village clocksmith and a widower lived with his only daughter. His wife had died from a snake bite years ago. However his childhood friend and love interest Sarojini lives next to his house. Sarojini was left by her husband after living together only for a night from which she has a daughter who has grown to a teenager. Vidyadharan is paranoid from the fear of snakes possibly due to his wife's death in the past. He carries a flashlight through the village lanes even in broad daylight.
Although Vidyadharan's extended family disapproves of his on off relationship with Sarojini, his daughter and Sarojini's daughter are like sisters. We are also introduced to a host of supporting characters in the sleepy palakkadan hamlet like Vidyadaran's sister, his friend near watch repairing shop, the drunkard who carries a rifle etc.
Their simple world in the sleepy hamlet is turned upside down one day as Sarojini's teenage daughter goes missing. After much investigations, her body is found inside a cave on a hilltop and it is revealed that she was gang raped. There are no evidence pointing to anyone. Yet another case of sexual offence against young girls in the area.
Deep inside, Vidyadharan feels that its the drunk hunter,who is behind the crime. While the police investigates and declares the hunter innocent, a battle of words ensue between Vidyadharan and the hunter and by mistake, Vidyadharan kills the hunter and hence is serving the imprisonment.
He leads a calm life inside the prison campus and is a pet of the jail warden. While Sarojini visits Vidyadharan frequently, his daughter had been taken away by her mothers family.
During one of her visits , Sarojini tells him that she met Vidyadharan's daughter and that she has grown up. He wishes to meet her but is informed that her mother's family will not give her the permission to do so. During the visit, Sarojini also apprises Vidyadharan about the increasing number of rapes and molestations and recounts the fate of her daughter. Vidyadharan is visibly disturbed by this social scenario, more so as his daughter is also growing up in such a society. He starts developing the anxiousness and insecurity of a father of an adolescent girl.
Vidyadharan's release date comes nearer and during one of Sarojini's visit, he tells her that upon release, he would go to a land far away with Sarojini and his daughter and would live happily. He entrusts Sarojini the job of bringing his daughter from her maternal home after convincing her. Sarojini agrees.
As days are nearing for the release, Vidyadharan is happy and roams around the jail. During his regular afternoon strolls, to his surprise, Vidyadharan find a hole in the thick jail wall. Vidyadharan tactfully clears the hole and uses his magnifying lens to check if he is able to view something. To his luck, he finds that the eyesize hole is dug through the entire thickness and he is able to see the hilltop just outside the jail. Vidyadharan is amused but is careful not to let other inmates / constables know about the same, especially his release date being so close.
During his free time, Vidyadharan then sees the small family of blind singers living on the hilltop and their beautiful daughter. He sees their small time existence and as to how beautifully they sing. He also finds that one of the jail constables also intervening in their life telling them to move out of the place. When Vidyadharan meets this constable inside the jail, he is unable to express his anger. He also recollects the misbehaviour of the same man once Sarojini visited him. Vidyadharan concludes that the constable is not a good man.
The other day Vidyadharan witnesses a celebration in the small hut of blind singers. It is revealed that the beautiful daughter has become adolescent. Vidyadharan is also very happy as his own daughter would also be of the same age now.
As he looks on another day, while the beautiful young girl is alone in the hut, he sees the cruel poilceman going inside. This is followed by the girls shrieks and violent cry for help. As she comes running outside, Vidyadharan sees the police constable chasing her like a mad dog. Vidyadharan tries to seek help but his voice is not heard. Stranded within the campus, Vidyadharan is totally helpless.
The blind singers come back home to find the shocking news. They are shattered and in the heat of loss they suffered, they decide to punish themselves by setting fire to the house and themselves. And Vidyadharan watches as the silent spectator.
The next morning the constable comes in front of the inmates for checking. Vidyadharan has lost all control by now and he attacks the constable accusing him of the life of the three innocent people. The inmates and the jail warden run in. Vidyadharan shows the hole and describes the entire episode to the jailer. The jailer hears in disbelief and orders both Vidyadharan and the constable to be taken for medical aid.
The jailer inspects the hole and feels sorry for Vidyadharan. As he leaves, the camera zooms towards the hole. It is revealed that there is no such hole there and its just a small piece of mortar that has detached from the cement on the strong wall. The hole and the entire episode was an imagination of Vidyadharan's turbulent state of mind.
As Sarojini comes to the jail with Vidyadharan's daughter, he has a blank face, turns towards them and asks "Aara?" [Who are you?]. The movie concludes with the aerial shot of a train departing from the station.
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 Vidyadharan - Sree Lakshmy as Sarojini
- Cherthala Lalitha as Sarada, Vidyadharan's sister
- Sindhu as Minikutty, Sarojini's daughter
- Remya as Srikutty, Vidyadharan's daughter
- Rizabawa as prison warden
- Srihari as Hunter
- Preingottu Vijayan as Sarada's husband
- Kalabhavan ManiKalabhavan ManiKalabhavan Mani is a South Indian actor and singer. He began his career in Malayalam film industry, later he became a busy artist in tamil and telungu industry, especially in villain roles. Although he began his carrier as a comedian , he proved his versatility in various roles such as serious...
as Ayyappan - M. R. Gopakumar as Balakrishnan
- Kavya MadhavanKavya MadhavanKavya Madhavan is an Indian film actress who works in Malayalam cinema. She made her debut in Pookkalam Varavayi as a child artist. In 1999, she became a lead actress in Lal Jose's Chandranudikkunna Dikhil.-Background:...
as Meenu - Chali Pala as Chacko