Varavelpu (1989)

I just finished watching this Mohanlal classic for the nth time.... and I am sure this was not the last time. Lalettan is simply superb in his personification of Murali, the Gulf-returned Malayali trying to find his feet in his homeland.

while there are several strands in the story that could pass of as clichés - like the family turning his back on him and the apparently insurmountable and entrenched negative forces out to destroy the honest and well-meaning hero - the greatest strength of Varavelppu is undoubtedly the integrity of the hero and his purpose. one almost feels an outrage while identifying with Murali - what seems to be a totally justified and humble right of his is so ruthlessly denied.

Varavelppu is definitely not a comedy despite the presence of our star comedians like Jagdish, Innocent, Mamukoya, Oduvil and Krishnankutty Nair, it is a very serious look at one man's struggle for what he believes his right and all the love and trust he loses and wins in the process. this is real classic of a movie and one almost feels thankful to the Sathyan Anthikad-Mohanlal duo after watching this...