Thalastaanam
Thalasthanam (The Capital) is a 1992 Malayalam film written by Renji Panicker, directed by Shaji Kailas and produced by S. Henry starring Suresh Gopi, Narendra Prasad, Geetha, Monisha, M. G. Soman, Ganesh Kumar and Vijayakumar. The music was composed by Johnson. Renji Panicker and Vijayakumar debuted as actors through this movie.[1]
Thalasthanam | |
---|---|
Directed by | Shaji Kailas |
Written by | Renji Panicker |
Produced by | S. Henry |
Starring | Vijayakumar Suresh Gopi Narendra Prasad Geetha Biyon |
Cinematography | Ravi K. Chandran |
Edited by | L Bhoominathan |
Music by | Johnson |
Release date |
|
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Budget | ₹ 1 crore |
Box office | ₹ 8 crore |
The film was released on a blockbuster and was one of highest grossing Malayalam films of 1992. This film was a landmark film in Suresh Gopi's career as the success of the film established him as a bankable lead actor and was his first step towards superstardom. The film also established Renji Panicker as a sought after scriptwriter. Narendra Prasad received praise for his performance as the antagonist. The film was remade in Telugu as Rajadhani.[2][3]
Plot
Unnikrishan (Vijayakumar), a simple, innocent, easy going chap joins Government Law College. He along with first year students are ragged by the seniors under the leadership of Pappan (Ashokan). A student leader with strong political clout, Pappan violently thrashes down Unnikrishnan who opposes the ragging. Later again, he is insulted in front of the girls. Unnikrishnan stabs Pappan at the corridor of the college in retaliation. G. Parameshwaran alias G.P (Narendra Prasad), the political mentor of Pappan orders his goons to bring Unnikrishnan in front of him.
Upon recognizing the potential of Unni, G.P inducts him into the party and strikes a truce between Pappan and Unni. However, G.P had more sinister plans in stock. The bill on self-financing colleges was introduced by the government, the party decides to oppose the bill under the leadership of G.P. The party decides to launch a student agitation campaign and Unni is appointed as the leader of the movement. With the intention of spreading the violence throughout state, G.P decides to immolate Unni in front of the police and press. The death of Unni is now used as a powerful weapon by G.P against the government. The death of Unni is also a big blow to his family.
Harikrishnan (Suresh Gopi), Unni's elder brother, arrives in Kerala from Mumbai for the funeral rituals. But he becomes suspicious about his brothers death and decides to investigate the reason behind the murder. Hari had to face wrath from several corners including the college management, police and local politicians. His attempts to convince the chief minister for an inquiry also ends up in failure. Hari then meets Meera (Geetha), an aggressive journalist who had witnessed the death of Unni. From her he learns about the plans of G.P and decides to fight against his violent political ways. Hari, meanwhile had to face several physical attacks from the hoodlums of G.P. Hari decides to take law into his own hands and his violent fight against G.P take up the rest of the story.
Production
The film was shot in various locations including St. Joseph Devagiri College, Kozhikode, M.G. College, Thiruvananthapuram and Kerala university campus, Kariavattom, University Hostel Kariavattom Thiruvananthapuram.
Cast
- Suresh Gopi - Harikrishnan
- Narendra Prasad - G. Parameswaran
- Vijayakumar - Unnikrishnan
- Geetha - Meera Menon
- Suchitra - Supriya
- Monisha Unni - Radha
- Ashokan - Pappan
- Idavela Babu - Nambeeshan
- K.B. Ganesh Kumar - ASP George Varghese
- M. G. Soman - Raghavan, Hari's and Unni's Uncle
- Janardhanan - Chief Minister
- Vijayaraghavan - Excise Minister Gopakumar
- Jagadish - Siddharth, College Student
- Maniyanpilla Raju - Narendran Pillai, College Professor
- Shammi Thilakan - Police Inspector Divakaran
- KPAC Sunny - Minister Nandakumar Pillai
- KPAC Azeez - City Police Commissioner Satheeshan Nair
- Jagannatha Varma - Sukumaran Kurup, College Principal
- Kunchan - Ashraf, College Peon
- Kollam Thulasi - Basheer
- Santhosh - Bharathan, G.P's Henchman
- Biyon - Young Unnikrishnan
- Sudheesh - Young Harikrishnan
- Baby Ambili - Young Radha
- Usharani - Hari's and Unni's Aunt
- T.S.Krishnan - GP's Henchman
- Renji Panicker - Journalist Dasappan
- Chippy
References
- "Rajadhani (1993) Telugu Movie Review, Cast and Crew, Posters, Audio covers, Song books, Full Movie, Songs, Lyrics, Story". www.aptalkies.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
- "A tribute to Narendra Prasad's stamp on stage". The Hindu.
- "10 Suresh Gopi films to watch before you die". Times of India.
- Anjana George (29 July 2020). "Renji Panicker: I never named Joseph Alex in The King; it was he who guided me while writing". The Times of India.
- Nirmal Narayanan (8 February 2021). "This Mollywood director reshaped masculinity of Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Suresh Gopi: HBD Shaji Kailas". International Business Times.
External links
- Thalastaanam at IMDb