Watch Kaliyattam

Kaliyattam is a classic Malayalam movie that was released in 1997. The movie has been directed by Jayaraj, and it stars Suresh Gopi, Lal, and Manju Warrier in lead roles. It is an adaptation of one of William Shakespeare's most famous plays, Othello. The plot of the movie revolves around the character of Kannan Perumalayan, played by Suresh Gopi. Kannan is a respected and acclaimed performer of the traditional dance form, Theyyam. He falls in love with a beautiful woman named Thamara, played by Manju Warrior. Thamara is the daughter of the head of the village, who is jealous of Kannan's fame and success.

Kannan and Thamara's love story is not an easy one, as the village head's son, portrayed by Lal, is also a suitor for Thamara's hand in marriage. The village head plots to create jealousy and mistrust in Kannan's mind regarding Thamara's loyalty, leading to a tragic sequence of events.

Kaliyattam is a movie that is almost entirely character-driven. The film explores the psyche of Kannan Perumalayan, a deeply flawed character, and takes the viewer on a journey through his emotions, motives, and mental turmoil.

The cinematography of the movie has a rustic flair, with the music and setting representing the culture of the Malabar region of Kerala. The Theyyam and other folk dances performed in the movie add to the realistic flavour.

Suresh Gopi's portrayal of Kannan Perumalayan is one of the highlights of the movie. He balances the character's strengths and weaknesses with perfection, and his acting prowess shines throughout the runtime of the movie. The less noticeable, yet equally skillful, performances of Lal and Manju Warrier complement Suresh Gopi's excellent performance.

The screenplay, adapted from Shakespeare's Othello, has stayed faithful to the original source material, while also incorporating a unique flavour. The dialogues are in Malayalam, but the themes of jealousy, mistrust, and betrayal are universal and transcend language barriers.

Kaliyattam is not a movie that is going to offer entertainment in the conventional sense. It is a poignant and profound exploration of the human psyche, delving into the depths of human emotions and motivations. The characters are three-dimensional, and the movie involves no black or white characters. Everyone has their motives and intentions, some good and some terrible, and it is in the interplay of these motives that the movie finds its emotional heft.

The movie has received several accolades, both in India and internationally. Kaliyattam won three national awards in 1997: Best Director, Best Actor (Suresh Gopi), and Best Actress (Manju Warrier). It competed at several international film festivals, such as the Toronto International Film Festival and the Rotterdam International Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim.

In conclusion, Kaliyattam is a movie that has stood the test of time. It is a classic of Malayalam cinema, with themes and characters that are relevant even today. The movie is an emotional rollercoaster, with its moments of humour, tragedy, and sheer brilliance. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in films that delve deep into the human psyche and offer thought-provoking insights into the complexities of human relationships.

Kaliyattam is a 1997 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 10 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.