Comments on: Can Manichithrathazhu be remade?

By: Gayathri

Gayathri — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 08:06:24 +0000

Wonderful article Mr. Kishor! I can’t believe I missed reading this article all these years. In any event, I’m thankful that I finally got the opportunity to read it now

I wish directors like P.Vasu, Priyadarshan and Swapan Saha had read this article before embarking on the remake of this film in other languages. Perhaps this article could have given them an idea on why remaking a classic as Manichitratazhu is such a bad idea.

Nithil mentioned about the plight of Tamilians who watched the Tamil version Chandramukhi. I’m a Tamilian myself and I agree wholeheartedly with his opinion.

I first watched Manichitratazhu in 1998. I didn’t know Malayalam and the film didn’t have any subtitles. Nevertheless, not even at a single point of time did I felt lost with the narration. Each and every scene of the film was epic and every actors did their part perfectly. Shobana needless to say, was just amazing as Ganga and Nagavalli respectively.

Even though Malayalam and Tamil share a close relationship in terms of language and even culture to an extent, I can safely say that the magic of Manichitratazhu can never be recreated in Tamil even if the remake happens to be a scene-to-scene-copy. And you good Sir have explained in detailed on why this magical epic should be left as a classic that it is instead of being massacred in the name of remakes. Thanks for this insightful article

By: vineeth

vineeth — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 09:15:09 +0000

The casting of this movie is perfect……i dont think anyone other than mohanlal could do the role of Dr.Sunny so perfectly ……once fazil said that the comic scenes bw kpac and mohanlal was done with the help of improvisation from the actors……another scene we notice which shows the brilliance of the director and scriptwriter is wen ganga excitedly shows the ornaments to the doc.Look at Mohanlals expression after that…….it shows dissapointment knwing tat his frds wife is the patient…..amazing movie….

By: Kishor Kumar

Kishor Kumar — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 04:34:06 +0000

Thanks for the update Jayashree. On second thoughts, an artist like Bhagyalakshmi would never have allowed such a unique, once-in-a-lifetime, dual-language/dual-character dubbing opportunity to slip by.

We have heard Bhagyalakshmi speaking native-like Tamil in Mazhavilkavady. She has spent considerable part of her life in Chennai. Its possible that they used some kind of filtering technique to create a more bass voice for Nagavally. The first dialogue spoken by Nagavally, “Yaarath ? “, is still reverberating in my mind.

By: Jayashree

Jayashree — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 16:59:24 +0000

Oh I forgot to update,sorry Kishore,I have it from an authoritative source that it was Bhagyalakshmi herself who dubbed for both the voices Shobhana used.

By: N P Subheesh

N P Subheesh — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 20:51:29 +0000

Better late than never… Saw this superb article today only. Very well done Kishore..
In fact each and every time after i watching the movie i used to think of writing something as you have done here. My first watch, a second show, at the age of 12 from Trivandrum during a school tour is one the most unforgettable thing in my life. It was on the releasing day, when the teachers planned to adjust the time of our return from Trivandrum. From that day onwards the best movie of my choice was the same.
Regarding the dubbing and all, why we go for such a dispute..? Bhagyalashmi has done a very good job and Sobhana’s acting was extra ordinary.. Both of them contributed together to make it memorable for s life time. Then what is the point of making unnecessary comments on the deserving of National award, etc. Hey we enjoyed the voice and character as whole; so we have to appreciate both.. But Sobhana deserves more appreciation for the great performance. Isn’t it?
Regarding other characters and scenes, i felt one very important character in the Malayalam version was its back ground music for creating such a very special ambiance. The back ground bits are actually creating wonders unknowingly and moves ourselves inside the story line… Hats off Johnson Sir..
In several comments it’s there like: “Any one else can play Dr. Sunny’s role..” I personally believe, NO.. Only Mohanlal can do with such manoeuvrings and perfection… The fact is the has got such a correct casting and whoever may be with him as co directors Fazil, the Director is the main person behind the movie. Screen play has to be nice, but a film is always a directors art.. Only a person with such a keen observation skills can do this film. Great Pachikka.. Greatest from you.. (and we never expect anymore as we are still watching your recent movies like “Living Together..” Ho.. Terrible! What happened to you? Get well soon..! We still love you.. That is why we are waiting for Fazil films, even flops after flops…)
One final thing which i felt.. We can proud to be a Keralite, just because of this movie, not only it can’t be remade due its very special story line, but also due to it’s excellent acting performance by each and every actor. Compare with any other corresponding actors in its remakes.. Nobody is nowhere near, either in serious or in comedy sides of acting. This, in effect underlines our very special way of observing and reproducing things as compared to other parts of India. This is my own openion.. People may disagree. But i have several other examples to prove the same. There may be exceptions, but in totality we are excelling as great actors in all aspects of act. That’s it.. Thank you so much for reading and once again thank you Kishor Kumar for creating such a valuable article and discussion.

By: Kishor Kumar

Kishor Kumar — Sun, 21 Aug 2011 06:52:56 +0000

Jayashree, I still feel that Tamil dialogues were dubbed by a native Tamil speaking artist (someone here mentioned Durga?). Or, they have used some good filter on Bhagyalakshmi’s voice. We need confirmation on this from Fazil itself. Also, its very timely that we pay homage to late Mr. Johnson for his excellent background score.

One more ‘embedded clue’ I can think of is the way Ganga’s dressing progressively evolves from Churidar (when Kunjamma narrates the Nagavally story to her) to eventually pucca-Tamil style sari that she wears while giving Dr.Sunny a guided tour of the forbidden thekkini. Also watch out for the neurotic forced-laughter that she uses to dismiss Dr. Sunny’s comments during the tour — priceless!

The sub-standard comedy that you mentions is definitely over done but breaks some stereotypes and always gives me a chuckle. I mean, imagine a goody goody sari-clad Indian wife initiating sexual intercourse by disrobing her husband without prior notice! And the husband is all OK with it (may be he is even used to such things!). His only concern is that its occurring at semi-public place, so he says : “Veettilekku varaam..”

By: Jayashree

Jayashree — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 18:54:36 +0000

KIshore,good that I got to see your review at though many years late !
What you said about repeated viewing leading to new ‘findings’ is absolutely right.
It is only after many views that I noticed Ganag’s posture on the bed as if she has hurriedly come in and flopped into it.I am sure of I watch the movie again I’ll still find out something yet.
Fazil has skilfully packed in layers of clues into the movie which lie there waiting for the repeat audience to discover.
From what I’ve heard it is Bhagyalakshmi who has dubbed both in Tamil and Malayalam.
Give me a couple of days,I’ll confirm.
About Shobhana’s acting,no dispute about it,she has been brilliant.But one thing I’ve noticed is that- if you are familiar with her body language from other movies you will understand this-her characteristic raising of the eyebrows,hand movements,and the way she uses her eyes suited the psychotic Ganga’s personality so perfectly.Which means it all came naturally to her!
Let us not forget the mesmerising effect of Johnson’s back ground music in the later part of the move. His re-recording has been another unsung hero of Manichithrathaazhu.

But whenever I see the movie I regret one and the only jarring note which I personally feel was a little sub-standard.Wasn’t the scene where KPAC Lalitha chases Innocent,a bit over done?
( in spite of their excellent acting which makes one shake with laughter)