I am a Keralite,currently living in London, where I am surrounded by university friends studying theatre and visual media. All of them have one view of Indian cinema-Song&Dance filled unrealistic visuals. So,when I indulge in debates with them,I constantly tried to open their ignorance to the reality of Malayalam films. Fed up of my constant arguments they asked me to select 5 Malayalam movies which I thought would change their opinion, confident that it wouldn't be good enough. The movies I chose-Devasuram,Kireedom,Manichithrathaazhu,Sphadikam and Dasaratham.
While they were watching Kireedom with English subtitles that I had edited myself,I noticed once again the amazing celluloid exhibition that has never ceased to amaze me since I first saw Kireedom as a 7year old when it released in 1989. In tune with the strong Indian cultural construct of family bonding, Kireedom(Crown in English) is the story of a family, particularly a father-son relationship. It is a story of how the most powerful of filial bonds is tried,tested and then tragically torn apart.
Sethumadhavan(Mohanlal) is the oldest son and 2nd of 4 children of brutally honest and immensely egoistic Achuthan(Thilakan) who is on the verge of retirement from the Indian Police Force. As a Head Constable, he is leading a very simple life centred around the potential futures of his children.Primary among Achuthan's goals in life is to help make his elder son Sethu(Mohanlal) a Sub-Inspector.(He says his one goal before retiring his uniform, is to officially salute his son on duty) Everything is consolidated in the family's life and it is smooth sailing until Achuthan is transferred to a social hell as a punishment for trying to uphold the law against the scion of a political bureaucrat. This social hell is ruled by the notoriously vicious criminal Kireekaadan Jose,whose name and legacy emanates fear throughout this suburb. Achuthan's family moves to this hell as Achuthan takes up his duty as an honest cop. Meanwhile Sethu is on the verge of donning the uniform as he has cleared all the necessary exams and interviews. Then the catastrophic incident occurs that changes their lives forever.
Achuthan is arresting a local goon and is about to take him to the police station from the market center when he encounters Kireekadan Jose, the feared underworld kingpin of the place. Achuthan is being beaten by Jose when Sethu sees this and tries to save his father. He fights with Jose against his own domicile nature. Surprisingly Sethu manages to strike Jose down-the key is that Sethu does this in a fit of rage without even knowing that the person he has beaten is the notorious Kireekadan Jose! Sethu's and Achuthan's lives change forever and they are driven by fate and circumstances.The movie then shows how the best of people lose everything in life even when they are trying to do good. This happens because of selfish human beings and a useless system in society. Jose who barely survives comes back with a vengeance and forces Sethu to a climactic fight to the death, thereby further ruining Sethu's already devastated life.
1989 saw the release of both Kireedom and Dasaratham, 2 all time great movies that cemented Mohanlal as the greatest actor in India. Kireedom's Sethumadhavan is a character whose scripting gave Mohanlal the freedom to unleash his entire arsenal of acting-It is a rare role where Mohanlal's potential is used to the max.Histrionics, body language and emotional moments combine to provide the viewer with a display of the very best acting seen on screen anywhere. Nowhere is this more evident than in the climax of Kireedom, a 5minute scene where Mohanlal shuffles between fear,panic,anger,despair,psychosis,primal aggression,sadness and a depressive breakdown.
Thilakan playing the father supports Mohanlal to the core with an almost equally powerful performance which makes Kireedom one of the best movies in the whole of India, not just Malayalam cinema. My British friends were awestruck and speechless at the end of the movie and after discussing with me their views and clarifying their doubts because of the cultural differences, they sat down to watch the movie again. In the end, Kireedom and the other 4 movies I showed them were displayed in their lecture classes at the University where it was showcased as a textbook of champion quality acting! Truly a small tribute to the often acknowledged colossus of celluloid-Mohanlal. Hats off to you Sir! Thank you for Kireedom & everything else. I recommend this movie to all who love great cinema.
