KERALA-MALAYALAM CINEMA-1996
VE3OGZ PKJ
Malayalam Cinema -1996
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Dr.P.K.John Toronto, Ontario, Canada
September 7, 1997
(Based on Malayala Manorama )
Some fifty six pictures were released during 1996. In addition there were
nine dubbed filims..Only four filims were major successes . These were :-
Sallapam
Deshadanam
Kalapani
and Hitler
The complete list of Malayalam movies released in 1996 is as follows :-
Lalanam
Kudumba Kodathi
Sathyabhamokkoru Prema Lekhanam
Azakiya Ravanan
Vanara Sena
Kathil Oru Kinnaram
Kanjirapalli Kariyachan
Malayala Masam Chingam Onninu
Sallapam
Kalapani
Devaragam
Hitler
Swpnalokathe Balabhaskaran
Sulthan Hyderali
Hit List
Kazakam
King Solomon
Ayiram Navulla Ananthan
Kinnam Katta Kallan
Kiridamillatha Rajakkanmar
Harbor
Mister Clean
Akashathekkoru Kilivathil
KL7 Eranakuam North
Mayura Nrutham
Sukhavasam
Kanchanam
Pallivathukkal Thommichan
Sammohanam
Dominic Presentation
Yuvathurki
The Prince
Indraprastham
Thuvalkottaram
Dillivala Rajakumaran
April 19
Aramanaveedum Anjurekkarum
Manthrika Kuthira
Padanayakan
Deshadanam
Kalyana Saugandhikam
Kana Kinavu
Ishtamanu Nuruvattam
Rajaputhran
Man Of The Match
Swarnakiridam
Mahalma
Kunkuma Cheppu
Ee Puzayum Kadannu
Kaliveedu
Nanda Gopante Kusruthikal
Madamma
Kathapurushan
Mukkilla Rajyathu Muri Mukkan Rajavu
Excuse Me-Ethu Collegil Aha
Nalam Kettile Nalla Thampimar
Udyna Palakan
Samuhya Patham
Mimics Super 1000
Filims with a good story to tell did well in 1996. High budget filims and
filims catering to Tamil and Telugu tastes failed dismally. Examples of
such failiure are The'Prince', 'Indra Prastham' and 'Rajaputhran'.
'Sallapam ' which came out in the first half of the year had it's story
written by Nila Lohida Das. T filim also presented Sundardas as it's
producer and Manju Warrior as the lead actress.
'Deshadanam' , directed by Jayaraj gained national attention. The theme
led to some contraversy. But it was remarkable that this successful filim
was produced at a cost of only rs.22 lakhs. The role of the grand father
was played by Payannur Korothu Unnikrishnan Namputhiri. A new face in
Malayalam movies he gpt much attention. The songs by Kathapram also brought
new life to dying Malayalam filim music.
Johnson was the cine music composer who claimed the largest number of hit
songs in 1996. Vidyasagar was noted for his musical compositions in
'Azakiya Ravanan' . Keeravani was noted for his compositions in ' Devaragam'.
Manju Warrior was the actress most noted for her roles in 'Sallapam', 'Ee
Puzayum Kadannu', 'Dillivala Rajakumaran' and 'Kaliveedu'. New faces
included Kaveri (Udyanapalakan), Divya Unni (Kalyana Saugandhikam) and
Mini Nair (Katha Purushan, Deshadanam).
The filim festival at Thiruvananthapuram in January 1997 featured three
Malayalam filims-Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Katha Purushan' , Jayaraj's '
Deshadanam' and Ciby Malayil's ' Kana Kinavu'. Adoor 'Katha Puruhan'
reportedly did not do well in box office collection . That was a
diasappointment to it's acclaimed director who found the picture well
recived in filim festivala abroad.
All in all the absence of first rank directors like Fasil, I.V.Sasi,
Hariharan and Joshi and the absence of blessed actors like Nedumudi Venu
had a very negative impact on Malayalam motion picture industry in 1966.
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