This is one of the greatest hits mohanlal and priyadarshan have ever made. The Malayalam film industry discovered MG Sreekumar, the talented young singer from his excellent songs. The movie is stuffed with comedy scenes although it has a tragic end. Mohanlal, Renjini, Nedumudi venu, Sreenivasan have acted so naturally that the movie is unforgettable. the movie was one of the biggest commercial hits of Malayalam in the late eighties. Mohanlal has showed his talents by his versatile acting throughout the movie. Two great combination of the times, Mohanlal-Sreenivasan and Mohanlal-Priyadarshan made the film one of the biggest hit in Malayalam.
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unmeshmenon29 October 2006
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pcdadda10 July 2006Chitram is possibly the biggest commercial success in Malayalam cinema having run of nearly two years at the box office. But more than its commercial success the movie remembered for two striking reasons - [1] The emergence of Mohanlal as a star and actor par excellence, and [2] The epoch of the golden era of Malayalam movies typified with excellent music and strong story lines.
To summarize, the movie is about Mohanlal a youth who is struggling in life and is dogged by fate. He agrees to be a makeshift husband to Renjini at the behest of Nedumudi Venu to keep Renjini's father happy during his last visit to India. The chemistry between Lal and Renjini is quite good and their squabbles make up a major part of the movie. The movie has twist in the end, which is best seen than described.
Lal is the fulcrum around which this movies revolves. He displays emotions and comic timing both with remarkable ease and his scenes with Venu are brilliant and endearing at the same time. Venu is an apt foil for Lal while Sreenivasan has a great comedy track. Sreeni also deserves credit for coming up with a script that keeps the viewer hooked throughout. Renjini is competent.
The highlight of the movie (besides Lal's path-breaking performance) is the fantastic music which is popular even after two decades. This was the first Malayalam movie in which original soundtrack was accompanied by the hero's voice-over. Chitram marks the beginning of an era of great Malayalam movie music.
Overall, a must-see for all Malayalam movie fans. -
One the Best movie from malayalam movie industry. A Wonderful script from Priyadarshan and Crew. The story of the movie is Great.... All the actors in the movies also do a great work to Make movie as a great success.. Mohanlal is acting as a Prisoner for doing a crime.
But he got a chance to act as a husband for daily wages. The Songs in the movie is also one of the best.... A MUST WATCH MOVIE... -
arun_mr2 January 2018The story unfolds thus:Kalyani is in love and wants to marry the guy. But when her father who is abroad knows about this, he disagrees and threatens her that he won't give her a penny if she marries the guy. Kalyani however decides to go ahead, but when her boyfriend realises that she has been disinherited, dumps her. But problems soon arise as Kalyani and Vishnu continuously bicker and find it difficult to get along. The rest of the story is about the growing relationship between Kalyani and Vishnu and the revelation of Vishnu's past. Sreenivasan has a great role to play as the scheming relative who wants to get the family house and title through his sly methods. He is a totally funny character in the movie
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PimpinAinttEasy25 April 2016Dear Malayali movie fans,
I remember the first posters of Chithram did not make much of an impression on me. I was 8 years old when the film released. The posters were near the Twinkle showroom. Behind Shenoys theater. The posters predicted a regular love story. But once the film released, it was a rage. It was tough to get tickets. But I finally managed to watch it at the Little Shenoys theater if memory serves me right. Or was it Shenoys? I don't remember. Despite the comedic scenes, the film made me cry. Especially the second half and the ending. Priyadarshan was such a good craftsman. He made a blockbuster film with a second half that was mostly weepy. The film has made an impact across generations of Malayalis. It is the preferred tragi-comic film for most of you. Lalettans tragi-comic character is one of the most famous roles in his career. Ranjini and Nedumudi were adorable in supporting roles. I can never forget how this film influenced me as a little kid. But then, I have not watched this film in ages. It might not affect me the way it did almost 30 years ago. Which is sad I guess. Me and my wife sing some of the popular songs from this film when we get drunk.
Best Regards, Pimpin.
(10/10) -
mailrashmi-366937 July 2020Chitram is the kind of movie that one can watch numerous times and not get bored. It's considered to be a Malayalam classic. Although it has melodrama, Romance and action, this movie stands out for its Comedy. Lalettans acting is top notch. I want to rate this 8.5.
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abingeorgekv13 August 2019The climax of the film is unpredictable and is one of the best classical films of mollywood. Mohanlal sir's acting in the movie is superb. Everyone will bear tears after the climax scene. One if the best feel good movie of Malayalam
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SAMTHEBESTEST1 July 2021Chithram (1988) : Brief Review -
A screwball Rom-Com of 30s Hollywood meets bitter facts of Life to form a Timeless Malayalam Classic. Chithram has been considered as one of the finest romantic drama of Mohanlal and Priyadarshan's careers by their fans but is it really a Romantic Drama? Or is it really even a Rom-com? The answer should have been No but seems like that Malayalam audience of 80s wasn't aware of 30s & 40s Hollywood Classics. Indian TVs wouldn't show those Hollywood films then so it was obvious and considering the regional limits of global cinema viewing makes this equation completely irrelevant. For me, Chithram is more easy film review in 2021 that too after seeing almost 1000+ old Hollywood classics because i understand those tactics and know those cliches which were formed almost 50 years before this film was released. I won't name any Old Holywood classic to avoid the comparison but i could feel that Screwball Formula all over while watching Chithram. A woman hires a stranger to pose as her husband because she doesn't want her ailing father to know that her fiance broke their engagement. Well, it doesn't end like those happily ended films to leave audience smiling. Instead, it brings some bitter facts and mistakes of life to leave audience with a stunning reality-check against the mainstream entertainers. The film is not funny actually, i don't know why people even call it a comedy. I'd better say it's an engaging rom-com with sweet and adorable cliches. Mohanlal, Ranjini and Nedumudi Venu are best performers in the film. Dialogues are decent, screenplay is very nicely shaped, music is good and direction is immensely dedicated. Priyadarshan dares to go for a climax which he would know that family audience may not accept but sometimes a gutsy attempt brings you more success than expected. Chithram is prime example of that. Overall, a Classic Drama with no expiry date.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest. -
Nostalgic Lalettan Classic despite the sad ending. I love the name Vishnu as it suits Lalettan in his younger days. Nedumudi Venu as Kaimal is not too bad. I think Vishnu and Kaimal are somewhat of rivals in this movie, at least in the beginning since we see them not getting along. I think Vishnu has a fair reason as to why he pretended to be Kalyani's husband. Despite doing it for the money, it was for a noble cause. Kalyani and Vishnu are initially feuding with each other but they do fall in love eventually. My favorite parts of this movie are the songs Paadam Pootha Kaalam and Eeran Megham. I also like the Lalettan fight scene with Sreenivasan and Shanavas. My least favorite part is MG Soman's introduction as he appears to be menacing. The scene that I hate is where Soman hits Lalettan to the ground after the chase scene in the woods. Vishnu is an escaped convict but there's a backstory as to what made him that. MG Soman is the prison warden. He is married to Revathy (Lissy) who is a mute dancer in the movie and they couple have a child. One night, Vishnu discovers a man seeing her behind his back and he assumes that she's having an affair with him. He attacks the man and picks up a knife which he accidentaly kills Revathy with. Vishnu and Revathy had a child together and the child was to undergo a surgery and the treatment was expensive. That's why Vishnu escaped from jail, to make money for his child's treatment. I don't think Vishnu should've been charged with murder because the death of Revathy was an accident over a misunderstanding. A manslaughter charge would be more reasonable along with imprisonment for a small number of years. Vishnu didn't deserve the death sentence as it's a very harsh punishment given the situation. I feel like MG Soman is cold hearted and emotionless. His presence haunts us viewers and he's scary looking both on the inside and outside. It's incredible as to how Vishnu and Kalayani were able to hide the fact that he was an escaped convict from Kalyani's father but it was for a good intention. The last scene where Vishnu asks the warden if he could acquit the death penalty makes me want to cry. The entire climax makes me want to cry also. Even though Lalettan is smiling in the last scene, it's still sad to see taken away to be killed :(. Despite that, I still think this Lalettan Classic is a masterpiece and will be for years and generations to come.
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vishalbitvv18 January 2024Despite doing it for the money, it was for a noble cause. Kalyani and Vishnu are initially feuding with each other but they do fall in love eventually. My favorite parts of this movie are the songs Paadam Pootha Kaalam and Eeran Megham. I also like the Lalettan fight scene with Sreenivasan and Shanavas. My least favorite part is MG Soman's introduction as he appears to be menacing. The scene that I hate is where Soman hits Lalettan to the ground after the chase scene in the woods. Vishnu is an escaped convict from prison but there's a backstory as to what made him that. MG Soman is the prison warden. He is married to Revathy (Lissy) who is a mute dancer in the movie and they couple have a child. One night, Vishnu discovers a man seeing her behind his back and he assumes that she's having an affair with him. He attacks the man and picks up a knife which he accidentaly kills Revathy with. I don't think Vishnu should've been charged with murder because the death of Revathy was an accident over a misunderstanding. A manslaughter charge would be more reasonable along with imprisonment for a number of years. Vishnu didn't deserve the death sentence as it's a very harsh punishment given the situation. The last scene where Vishnu asks the warden if he could acquit the death penalty makes me want to cry. The entire climax makes me want to cry also. Even though Lalettan is smiling in the last scene, it's still sad to see taken away to be killed :(. Despite that, I still think this Lalettan Classic is a masterpiece and will be for years and generations to come.
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danieljames-dj6 November 2020The movie is really good comedy movie. When compared to present day movies, it's not so great according to me. But when compared to the movies of the time when it was released, this might have been exceptionally great.
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Mangalassery_Neelakandan26 September 2022This is one of my favorite Malayalam movie ever. The movie is simple, entertaining and emotional. The climax could have been different but still it is one of those movies that you will enjoy for sure. I don't know weather it is dubbed into other languages but if you understand Malayalam this movie should definitely be in you watchlist. From the moment lalettan enters the movie pics of to a funny entertainer, then there is romance, there is emotion, there is a backstory that tells us about his past and an emotional ending. Its not a happily ever after climax but to that point the film keeps the viewer entertained. Once again one of the greatest Malayalam movie ever.
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arun_mr3 January 2018The movie is an all-time hit in Malayalam. The movie directed by Priyadarshan came to theater in 1988. Soon comes Mohanlal's uncle Vishnu to arrest 3 prisoners. Mohanlal is the culprit who was sentenced to death. In the meanwhile, the Malayalees saw the new life of Vishnu asking to say, "Sir, why not?" The background score of the movie is still Malayali's favorite ring tone. In the climax, Vishnu goes to jail. If the film ends with Vishnu in the movie, it will not be for anyone who does not want to do something
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sanmathiraj5 October 2022Those days, Kalpetta town in Wayanad district never showed release movies. I mean movies reached our nearby theatres only after releasing in cities. This movie Chithram was screened in Jaithra talkies. There was a photo kept on the table of theatre manager, which shows the people who were standing on the main road as they couldn't even stand inside theatre compound. It was a big talkies with a large compound. Still the crowd could not contain inside the compound. This movie played over 100 days in that talkies and no other pics of so much crowd can be seen on the table of manager.
Jaithra multiplex is about to open and hope i can see that photo of crowd once again on manager's table.