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Sandhesam is a critically acclaimed Malayalam film from 1991 directed by Sathyan Anthikkad and starring Sreenivasan, Jayaram, and Thilakan in the lead roles. The film revolves around the intricacies of the electoral system in India and the power of democracy. The story unfolds in a small village called Krishnapuram. The villagers are preparing for the upcoming elections and discussing their choices for the various political parties. One of the major issues discussed is the caste system and its impact on the elections. The village is divided into two groups, one consisting of upper-caste Hindu Brahmins and the other comprising lower caste villagers.

The conflict between the two groups is highlighted when they both select candidates for the upcoming elections, and this is where the crux of the story begins. Due to a mix-up in names, the lower-caste group ends up selecting a candidate from the upper-caste, and vice versa. The mistake is only noticed when the nominations are already filed, and both parties are in for a shock.

From there on, the story follows the village as it finds itself in a fix due to the mistake made. The political leaders from both parties try their level best to solve the issue, but their efforts are in vain. The district administration also tries to intervene, but they are unable to do anything legally as the time for corrections has already passed.

As the election day approaches, the tensions between the two groups keep mounting. The electoral drama takes on many twists and turns as the villagers try to resolve the issue. The film also showcases the cunningness of politicians, who try to take advantage of the situation to consolidate their power. In the end, the fate of the village rests on the hands of the electoral system.

The film is known for its realistic portrayal of the electoral process in India. It is a satirical comedy that portrays the power struggles, corruption and gamesmanship that are all too common in political campaigns. The director leaves no stone unturned in highlighting the social issues like casteism, bribery, corruption, and the role of the media in politics. The film also touches upon the division between rural and urban populations in different segments of society.

All the actors have done justice to their roles. Sreenivasan, who plays the lead role, is a master of comedy and has given an excellent performance. Jayaram is also exceptional in his character as the man caught in the middle of the whole mess. Thilakan, who has done many notable roles, shines as usual with his impressive acting.

The story is compelling, and the dialogues are sharp and witty. The film's music has been composed by Johnson and the lyrics by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri. The background score by Johnson is fantastic and complements the mood and tone of the film.

In conclusion, Sandhesam is a classic that reflects the reality of the Indian electoral system. The movie is an intense satire that has the audience laughing and thinking at the same time. The film is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time and will continue to be remembered as one of the most exceptional works of Indian cinema.

Sandhesam is a 1991 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 19 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 9.0.