Mohan Lal Classics # 1. Review on Devasuram Movie

CLASSIC # 1 DEVASURAM (1992)

Direction - I V SASI

Script – RENJITH

Cast – MOHAN LAL, REVATHY, INNOCENT, NEDUMUDI VENU, NAPOLEON

The word DEVASURAM denotes ‘the combination of the divine and the monstrous’. The protagonist MANGALASSERY NEELAKANDAN (MohanLal) is precisely that – the rich pompous wayward feudal lord with many bad qualities; but one who is talented in music and has great respect for musicians and artists. WARRIER (Innocent) is his house keeper, finance manager and loyal comrade. NEELAN’s father is no more and his mother left him unable to tolerate his immoral way of life.

The story presumably takes place in the seventies in a remote village in Kerala called Ezhilakkara. At the opening sequence of the movie, NEELAN (as he is known to his people) and his four men brigade is seen spoiling the annual festival of a local temple, which was organized by his archrivals MUNDACKAL SEKHARAN (Napoleon) and his uncle (Janardhanan). It follows a series of aggression between the two, and results in the accidental murder of SEKHARAN’s uncle by one ruffian hired by NEELAN’s 4 men army.

In the meantime BHANUMATHI (Revathi), the daughter of APPU MASH (Nedumudi Venu), is returning to the village after studying classical dance. A misunderstanding partially triggered off by the same 4 friends cause Neelan to make BHANU forcibly dance in front of him. on account of this humiliation, the helpless but strong-willed BHANU vows never to dance again. NEELAN is impressed by her performance and regrets his misdeed.

Circumstances force APPU MASH to seek refuge in the house of the same NEELAN, with his two daughters. NEELAN treats them with respect and dignity. NEELAN requests his mother to come back to the house, but gets the shock of his life when he learns from her that he is her illegitimate child. He leaves mother in a fit of fury and she soon dies of a broken heart. BHANU maintains a distance from NEELAN and doesn’t alter her decision not to dance again, despite requests from her father, teacher and NEELAN himself later. She tells NEELAN that she would break her oath only after his death. However, BHANU gets a chance to understand NEELAN and his good qualities. She also learns that NEELAN is actually the illegitimate child of his mother. Slowly and without her realizing it, BHANU begins to wipe out hatred towards NEELAN from her heart.

Afterwards APPU MASH’s nephew who is well-off financially takes them with him. SEKHARAN seeks revenge and attempts to slay NEELAN, and succeeds in injuring him very badly. BHANU feels NEELAN’s misfortune is the result of her curse. She comes to NEELAN and with the help of WARRIER gradually brings NEELAN back to normal. But SEKHARAN had other plans…..

The climax is strong and suits the tone of the movie. DEVASURAM will be remembered for the powerful characters of NEELAKANDAN & BHANUMATHI. Both MOHANLAL and REVATHIi competes neck and neck in acting. Their on screen chemistry is amazing, so is the subtle variations in body language at various phases of their relationship in the movie. The second half is very touching, and beyond textual description.

I would rate DEVASURAM as my favourite movie in MALAYALAM. DEVASURAM has been the masterpiece of I V SASI and the turning point in RENJITH’s career. It also has some beautiful songs - GIRISH PUTHENCHERY's lyrics tuned by M G RADHAKRISHNAN. M G SREEKUMAR & ARUNDHATI are the main singers. A sequel to the movie was released 9 years later (RAAVANAPRABHU).