Varavelpu Explained

Varavelpu
Director:Sathyan Anthikad
Producer:K. Rajagopal
Screenplay:Sreenivasan
Starring:Mohanlal
Revathi
Sreenivasan
Murali
Innocent
Thilakan
Music:Johnson
Cinematography:Vipin Mohan
Editing:K. Rajagopal
Studio:K. R. G. Movie International
Distributor:K. R. G. Enterprises
Runtime:145 minutes
Country:India
Language:Malayalam

Varavelpu is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language black comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan, starring Mohanlal, Revathi, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Murali, Innocent, and Jagadish. The film was produced by K. Rajagopal. It depicted trade union problems plaguing Kerala and the issues created by union members and the dirty politics which is prevalent in present governance and is narrated in a satirical dark comedy [1] [2]

The film was based on a real-life incident in Sreenivasan's father's life. The film was an average grosser at box office but later gained a cult status and following.[3] [4] The movie was remade in Hindi as Chal Chala Chal.

Plot

Murali returns to his hometown after spending 7 long years hard working in the gulf to settle down peacefully in his hometown. Much against the greedy wishes of his family members, he decides to buy a second-hand bus that comes along with a route permit. This is when he faces a lot of hardships. Starting from an accident because of the inefficient driver, a cheating conductor, to a cunning union leader, Murali's life is taken for a toss with ever-growing challenges one after the other.

He eventually gets an offer from a labour officer, which he turns down. He says that he has already lost this game, and he prefers to move for a better job. At last, it is shown that he leaves for Bombay in order to go back to gulf.

Cast

Production

The film was based on a real-life incident in Sreenivasan's father's life. Sathyan Anthikkad got the story idea while listening to Sreenivasan when he recalled how his family ended in financial debt as his communist father was labeled a capitalist after he bought a bus.[6]

Soundtrack

Varavelpu
Type:soundtrack
Artist:Johnson
Released:April 1989
Genre:Filmi, popular music
Label:Tharangini Records

Reception

In 2003, the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee mentioned the film and Mohanlal in his inaugural speech at the Global Investor Meet held in Kerala. He said: "I am told that there is a Malayalam movie called Varavelppu in which your famous actor Mohanlal acts as a Gulf-returned Keralite. He invests his savings in a small business venture with high hopes. But in the end, he is forced to close it down after going through many unpleasant experiences. Therefore, this conference should serve as an occasion for introspection".[7]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nair . Malini . 25 May 2020 . How Kerala's migrant experience is woven in its culture, captured on screen, in stories . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20200620015317/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/how-keralas-migrant-experience-is-woven-in-its-culture-captured-on-screen-in-stories/articleshow/75961347.cms . 20 June 2020 . 5 January 2021 . The Times of India.
  2. Web site: George . Vijay . 19 December 2018 . We have to compete using ideas: filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20181220114219/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ace-director-sathyan-anthikad-on-teaming-up-with-sreenivasan-again-for-fahadh-fasil-starrer-njan-prakashan/article25781285.ece . 20 December 2018 . 5 January 2021 . The Hindu.
  3. Web site: Kurup . Aradhya . 12 September 2017 . From 'Sadayam' to 'Kaiyoppu': 10 Malayalam films that flopped but have a cult status . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109033840/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/sadayam-kaiyoppu-10-malayalam-films-flopped-have-cult-status-68294 . 9 November 2020 . 5 January 2021 . The News Minute.
  4. Web site: Menon . Neelima . 4 February 2019 . Under-appreciated Malayalam Films Of The 80s . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210105061538/https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/malayalam-features/under-appreciated-malayalam-films-of-the-80s/ . 5 January 2021 . 5 January 2021 . Film Companion.
  5. Web site:
    1. FilmyFriday: Varavelpu: Homecoming gone wrong
    . Silpa. Rajan. 31 December 2021. The Times of India. 6 April 2022.
  6. News: രാജീവ്. സ്വാതി. 'വരവേല്‍പി'ലെ മോഹന്‍ലാലുമാര്‍ ഇപ്പോഴും; ചിലര്‍ ആത്മഹത്യ ചെയ്യുന്നു: 'ആന്തൂരി'ല്‍ അന്തിക്കാട്. 19 July 2019. Manorama News. 21 June 2019. ml.
  7. Web site: Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Inaugural Speech at the Global Investor Meet : Speeches : Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee. Archivepmo.nic.in. 19 July 2019. 18 January 2003.