Punjabi House
Encyclopedia
Punjabi House is a 1998 Malayalam comedy
musical film
written and directed by Rafi Mecartin
, starring Dileep
, Mohini
, Lal
, Cochin Hanifa, Harisree Asokan, Neena Kurup, and Janardanan
. The music was composed by Suresh Peters
and it was his debut film. It was released as a grand Onam
release on the day of Thiruvonam.
The film was remade in Hindi cinema as Chup Chup Ke
(2006) by Priyadarshan
, starring Shahid Kapoor
, Kareena Kapoor
, Neha Dhupia
, and Sunil Shetty.
Reportedly, Rafi Mecartin are in the works of a sequel for Punjabi House. They will script and direct the film themselves.
) has a lot of debts. He has no way of repaying them and so he decides to commit suicide so his parents can use the insurance money to repay his debts. But his suicide plan misfires when he is rescued by Gangadharan (Cochin Haneefa
), a fisherman and his employee Ramanan (Harisree Ashokan
) who sees him drowning. Unni starts acting deaf and mute so that the fisherman will not understand the truth.
Gangadharan also has a debt with a Punjabi family who has settled in Kerala and are money lenders. Hence he asks Unni and Ramanan to work at their home until he repays the money. There Unni meets a Punjabi girl named Pooja (Mohini)
who also is partially deaf and fully mute. They fall in love and they decide to get married.
At that point Unni's family gets to know that he is not dead. They come to see him with his old girlfriend Sujatha (Jomol
). Now Unni has to decide which girl to choose. Ultimately he chooses Pooja.
Release. It became a Blockbuster
in the first week itself, with a gross of more than 4 crores.It ran for 200 days and became the 3rd Biggest Hit of 1998, following Harikrishnans
and Summer in Bethlehem. It totally grossed 10 crores.
and composed by Suresh Peters
. This marked the debut of Suresh Peters as a composer.
Comedy film
Comedy film is a genre of film in which the main emphasis is on humour. They are designed to elicit laughter from the audience. Comedies are mostly light-hearted dramas and are made to amuse and entertain the audiences...
musical film
Musical film
The musical film is a film genre in which songs sung by the characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing. The songs usually advance the plot or develop the film's characters, though in some cases they serve merely as breaks in the storyline, often as elaborate...
written and directed by Rafi Mecartin
Rafi Mecartin
Rafi Mecartin are a screenwriter and film director duo who have worked in Malayalam cinema. Rafi and Mecartin have been working together since the initial days of their career. Rafi's younger brother Shafi is also a well-known director....
, starring Dileep
Dileep (actor)
Dileep is an Indian film actor, mimicry artist and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.Dileep started his career as a mimicry artist in the Cochin Kalabhavan troupe. He later started his film career as an assistant director to Kamal with the film Vishnu Lokam...
, Mohini
Mohini (Tamil actress)
Mohini is an Indian actress who has acted in South Indian films, mainly in Tamil and Malayalam.She married Bharath four years before and has a 2 year old son. Even though, she took a break from movies for 2 years after her marriage, she is now acting in several South Indian Movies.Mohini is...
, Lal
Lal (actor)
Paul Michael , better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor....
, Cochin Hanifa, Harisree Asokan, Neena Kurup, and Janardanan
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...
. The music was composed by Suresh Peters
Suresh Peters
Suresh Peters is a music director and playback rapper/singer for films in India whose notable songs include Style from the film Sivaji: The Boss. Peters received his first break as a music director through the Malayalam movie Punjabi House in which he composed both melodies and folk songs...
and it was his debut film. It was released as a grand Onam
Onam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
release on the day of Thiruvonam.
The film was remade in Hindi cinema as Chup Chup Ke
Chup Chup Ke
Chup Chup Ke is a 2006 Bollywood film directed by Priyadarshan. Originally titled as Khatta Meetha, the story of the film is adapted from the Malayalam film Punjabi House , with a tagline of "Love meets confusion meets love." The film has Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in their third film...
(2006) 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...
, starring Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor
Shahid Kapoor is an Indian actor who appears in Bollywood films. He is also a trained dancer.Starting off his career by working in music videos and advertisements, Kapoor made his Bollywood debut as a background dancer in Subhash Ghai's Taal . Four years later, he made his acting debut in Ishq...
, Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor , often informally referred to as Bebo, is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. During her career, Kapoor has received six Filmfare Awards, among nine nominations, and has been noted for her performances in a range of film genres; these include her work from contemporary...
, Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia
Neha Dhupia is an Indian actress who appears in Bollywood films. She is a former beauty queen and winner of Femina Miss India 2002.-Early life:...
, and Sunil Shetty.
Reportedly, Rafi Mecartin are in the works of a sequel for Punjabi House. They will script and direct the film themselves.
Plot
Unni (DileepDileep (actor)
Dileep is an Indian film actor, mimicry artist and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.Dileep started his career as a mimicry artist in the Cochin Kalabhavan troupe. He later started his film career as an assistant director to Kamal with the film Vishnu Lokam...
) has a lot of debts. He has no way of repaying them and so he decides to commit suicide so his parents can use the insurance money to repay his debts. But his suicide plan misfires when he is rescued by Gangadharan (Cochin Haneefa
Cochin Haneefa
Mohammed Haneefa, better known by his stage name Cochin Haneefa was an Indian film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started his career in the 1970s mainly portraying villainous roles, before going on to become one of the most popular comedians of Malayalam cinema...
), a fisherman and his employee Ramanan (Harisree Ashokan
Harisree Ashokan
Harisree Ashokan is a Malayalam film actor who is known for his comedy roles. He has acted in more than 75 Malayalam films.-Early life:...
) who sees him drowning. Unni starts acting deaf and mute so that the fisherman will not understand the truth.
Gangadharan also has a debt with a Punjabi family who has settled in Kerala and are money lenders. Hence he asks Unni and Ramanan to work at their home until he repays the money. There Unni meets a Punjabi girl named Pooja (Mohini)
Mohini (Tamil actress)
Mohini is an Indian actress who has acted in South Indian films, mainly in Tamil and Malayalam.She married Bharath four years before and has a 2 year old son. Even though, she took a break from movies for 2 years after her marriage, she is now acting in several South Indian Movies.Mohini is...
who also is partially deaf and fully mute. They fall in love and they decide to get married.
At that point Unni's family gets to know that he is not dead. They come to see him with his old girlfriend Sujatha (Jomol
Jomol
Gowri Chandrasekhara Pillai is an Indian actress who appeared in Malayalam films. She has had major roles in films like Niram, Piriyadha Varam Vendum and Deepasthambham Mahascharyam.She born in Koodathayi near Thiruvambady in Calicut district...
). Now Unni has to decide which girl to choose. Ultimately he chooses Pooja.
Cast
- DileepDileep (actor)Dileep is an Indian film actor, mimicry artist and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.Dileep started his career as a mimicry artist in the Cochin Kalabhavan troupe. He later started his film career as an assistant director to Kamal with the film Vishnu Lokam...
... Unnikrishnan - MohiniMohini (Tamil actress)Mohini is an Indian actress who has acted in South Indian films, mainly in Tamil and Malayalam.She married Bharath four years before and has a 2 year old son. Even though, she took a break from movies for 2 years after her marriage, she is now acting in several South Indian Movies.Mohini is...
... Pooja - LalLal (actor)Paul Michael , better known by his stage name Lal, is an Indian film director, script writer, actor, producer, and film distributor....
... Sikkandar Singh - Cochin HaneefaCochin HaneefaMohammed Haneefa, better known by his stage name Cochin Haneefa was an Indian film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started his career in the 1970s mainly portraying villainous roles, before going on to become one of the most popular comedians of Malayalam cinema...
... Gangadharan - Harisree Asokan ... Ramanan
- JomolJomolGowri Chandrasekhara Pillai is an Indian actress who appeared in Malayalam films. She has had major roles in films like Niram, Piriyadha Varam Vendum and Deepasthambham Mahascharyam.She born in Koodathayi near Thiruvambady in Calicut district...
... Sujatha - 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:...
... Kaimal Master - JanardananJanardhanan (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...
... Manninder Singh - Neena Kurup ... Pooja's Cousin
- IndransIndransIndrans is a Malayalam film actor and costume designer. He acts mainly in comedy roles. He has acted in over 200 films.Indrans, a Tailor by profession, debuted in the film Choothattam as a costume designer. It was producer Charlie who offered him a chance to assist in costume designing...
... Uthaman - 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...
... Sujatha's father - Manka Mahesh ... Unnikrishnan's Mother
- Kunchan ... Thommichan
- Machan VargheseMachan VargheseM. L. Varghese popularly known by stage name Machan Varghese was a Malayalam film actor and mimicry artist. He started his career as a mimicry artist and debuted as an actor through Kabooliwala. Thereafter he played many notable roles in Malayalam films, mainly as a comedian...
... Panthalukaran
Critical reception
This film was released on September 4, 1998, as an OnamOnam
Onam is a Hindu festival celebrated by the people of Kerala, India. The festival commemorates the Vamana avatar of Vishnu and the subsequent homecoming of the legendary Emperor Mahabali. It falls during the month of Chingam and lasts for ten days...
Release. It became a Blockbuster
Blockbuster (entertainment)
Blockbuster, as applied to film or theatre, denotes a very popular or successful production. The entertainment industry use was originally theatrical slang referring to a particularly successful play but is now used primarily by the film industry...
in the first week itself, with a gross of more than 4 crores.It ran for 200 days and became the 3rd Biggest Hit of 1998, following Harikrishnans
Harikrishnans
Harikrishnans is a 1998 Malayalam film directed by Fazil and starring Mammootty, Mohanlal, and Juhi Chawla in the lead roles...
and Summer in Bethlehem. It totally grossed 10 crores.
Soundtrack
The film includes these songs written by Gireesh PuthencheryGireesh Puthenchery
Gireesh Puthenchery was a noted Malayalam lyricist and screenwriter. He also served as a governing council member of the Indian Performance Rights Society . He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Lyrics seven times...
and composed by Suresh Peters
Suresh Peters
Suresh Peters is a music director and playback rapper/singer for films in India whose notable songs include Style from the film Sivaji: The Boss. Peters received his first break as a music director through the Malayalam movie Punjabi House in which he composed both melodies and folk songs...
. This marked the debut of Suresh Peters as a composer.
- Balla Balla - HariniHariniHarini is an Indian film playback singer and classical singer, who sings mainly in Tamil films. She has also sung in Hindi, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam language films, whilst working with many leading film composers. She is married to another playback singer, Tippu.-Career:Harini learnt Carnatic...
and ChorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus... - Ellam Marakkam - M. G. SreekumarM. G. SreekumarM. G. Sreekumar is a two-time National Award-winning Indian playback singer and music director who works in Malayalam cinema. With a career of over 25 years, he is one of the prominent male singers in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for matching voice with Malayalam actor Mohanlal. He has...
, Sujatha MohanSujatha MohanSujatha Mohan , usually credited as Sujatha, is an award-winning Indian playback singer who is popular for singing in Malayalam and Tamil movies. She has also sung for Telugu, Kannada and Hindi movies. She is widely popular for her evergreen melodies and her sweet voice is considered to be her...
(Another track was also sung by K. J. YesudasK. J. YesudasKattassery Joseph Yesudas is an Indian classical musician and playback singer.Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional, and popular music. He has recorded more than 50,000 songs in many languages including Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Oriya, Marathi, Punjabi,...
) - Eriyunna Karalinte - M. G. SreekumarM. G. SreekumarM. G. Sreekumar is a two-time National Award-winning Indian playback singer and music director who works in Malayalam cinema. With a career of over 25 years, he is one of the prominent male singers in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for matching voice with Malayalam actor Mohanlal. He has...
- Sona Re Sona Re - M. G. SreekumarM. G. SreekumarM. G. Sreekumar is a two-time National Award-winning Indian playback singer and music director who works in Malayalam cinema. With a career of over 25 years, he is one of the prominent male singers in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for matching voice with Malayalam actor Mohanlal. He has...
- Udicha Chandirante - M. G. SreekumarM. G. SreekumarM. G. Sreekumar is a two-time National Award-winning Indian playback singer and music director who works in Malayalam cinema. With a career of over 25 years, he is one of the prominent male singers in the Malayalam film industry. He is known for matching voice with Malayalam actor Mohanlal. He has...
, S. P. Balasubramaniam and ChorusChoirA choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...