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Friday evening resonates with fun and how would that be complete without films? Well, it’s yet another exciting Friday and we are back with yet another installment of #FilmyFriday.

ETimes presents – #FilmyFriday, wherein we recommend our readers one Malayalam movie, every week.

So without further ado let’s introduce you to the movie of the week – ‘Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu’.

Director: Priyadarshan

Cast: Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Ranjini, Nedumudi Venu, KPAC Lalitha, Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, Jagathy Sreekumar, MG Soman, Innocent, Kuthiravattam Pappu


Release year: 1988

As the title cards fade, the camera pans towards a two-storey building. The morning devotional song ‘Kousalya Supraja’ can be heard in the background. Along with that, the audience can hear Sumithra’s mom (KPAC Lalitha) chanting mantras and amidst it waking her daughter and asking her to secure a place in the queue for water. The ambiance assures that the housing colony is somewhere in Tamil Nadu. Sumithra (Ranjini) rushes to the street, and the queue for water seems to be infinity. Soon the director introduces Mukundan (Mohanlal), who has placed his pot, first in line. His very first interaction with Sumithra, proves that he is a decent young bachelor, who is trying to woo her, and also has an important day ahead. The day is special as his probationary period is ending and he is finally getting ‘permanent’ in the job. By 9 am he goes to the office, the colony is dynamic.

From Sumithra’s mother bargaining with the vegetable vendor to Ramankutty Nair (Innocent)’s grocery shop getting crowded, the locale is vibrant and active. When Mukundan returns home, he is eager to share the big news with his neighbours, however, all of them are occupied in their respective things, except Sumithra. Scripted by Sreenivasan, the film has depicted the nuances of the colony with sheer perfection. Mukundan asks Sumithra out for a movie date, and instead, her whole family and a dozen of kids go together to the cinemas to Mukundan not being able to express his love for Sumithra, the film also delivers some chucklesome moments for the audience.

Mukundan’s uneventful life, however, takes an unexpected turn when his dear friend Viswan (Sreenivasan) arrives uninvited after four years! A conman Viswan, likes to live a lavish life without worrying about earning for it. From boasting about his high-profile job at the railway department to pretending that the PWD Minister is his friend, Viswan likes to indulge himself in problems. Can a conman really make a good friend? Well, you will have to watch the film to know that.

Said to be inspired by the 1983 Hindi film ‘Katha’, ‘Mukunthetta Sumitra Vilikkunnu’ is a delightful movie, filled with life. The movie has elements of romance, and comedy, and also a handful of flawless performances.

Trivia

• Inspired by the 1983 Hindi film ‘Katha’.
• Priyadarshan-Mohanlal- Ranjini’s second film after the massive success of ‘Chithram’.