20 OF THE MOST EXHILARATING DRAMATIC MOMENTS in Malayalam Cinema

# Spoiler Alert #

film Devasuram

What Merriam-Webster describes as dramatic should either be “sudden and extreme”, “greatly effecting people’s emotions” or “attracting attention, causing people to look, listen etc.” So understandably it should either be striking, exciting or impressive, and intended to create an effect. Following is a list of some such moments in Malayalam Cinema, some of which stands out for the suspense and action, while some others booms with its deep silence; either ways dramatic alright!

20. Nandanam

The Final Apparition of Guruvayurappan

This one can invariably give goose bumps to all those ardent devotees of Guruvayurappan, but for even the rest, the final scene where the ‘young man from the neighborhood’ charmingly bids adieu to Balamani at the temple entrance, is an enchanting moment. Even if one were to take her tryst with the god as the girl’s fantasy, it is this scene that dissociates the identity of ‘Unniyettan’ from the neighbor’s son, and reveals him as the guardian friend who took care of her through thick and thin.

19. Ee Puzhayum Kadannu

Scuffle with the Stepbrother

The character of the villainous stepbrother is only one of the various odds the three girls and their grandmother struggle to hold up against. But his few entries at different juncture in the plot are all striking, especially his introduction. He is riled up when they refuse to give him money, and wreaks havoc in the house only to discover a gold medal in the process. His ensuing violence on the girls who try to stop him is truly nerve-racking.

18. Perumthachan

Raman Perumthachan dropping the chisel on Kannan

A father killing a son is shocking even if it came from the gospels. Here the motive that builds up over the coarse of the narrative is one that deepens the complexity of this act. Raman Perumthachan struggles with his conscience to balance out the jealousy for his talented son, his ideological differences with him and the fear of repercussions of the scandal Kannan was causing through his liaison with an old patron’s daughter, all of which leads to the scandalous murder in the climax.

17. Thanmatra

Rameshan’s Hysterical Display at the Office

Another shocking scene where a calm and composed Rameshan, who is increasingly seen grappling with his memory, one fine day goes berserk in the office startling his colleagues in his underwear. It’s a dreadful moment when a well-respected man is seen reduced to a bawling cripple, naked and quarrelsome, and robbed of any bit of shame and dignity in front of his friends and workmates. Although the diagnosis of his condition eases up the humiliation, that image of a grown man cut down to a child’s instinct can leave you rattled for really long.

16. My Dear Kuttichathan

Treasure Mining by a Captive Kuttichathan

The definitive scene when we finally get to know why Karimbootham, the sorcerer, was actually after Kuttichathan, the imp! Here he is confined within a fire ring, where he is forced to dig for treasures as the helpless girl from his trio of friends watches on. Our heart goes out to Kuttichathan, who in the form of the little boy we so loved over the course of the film sweats and struggles inside the fire restrains frantically breaking rocks.

15. Kamaladalam

Suicide of Sumangala

From the very beginning, we know Sumangala, the late wife of maverick dance master Nandagopan, had an unnatural death. We even hear about the role of fire in it. But despite all the heads-up, when her suicide is revealed in a flash back, it is not only disturbing, but is one of those helpless moments when you realize that it was a tragedy that could easily have been averted. The disturbing image of the dying woman writhing in flames as her husband and mother-in-law cries for help is deeply upsetting.

14. Commissioner

Altercation with Officer Rajan Felix

Call it formulaic or over-the-top, but the famous Bharath Chandran I.P.S. publicly going apeshit-crazy over his senior is one of the most iconic scenes in the history of Malayalam Cinema. The engrossing part about this scene is the long winding retort that our all-too-cocky policeman showers on Officer Rajan Felix who, in an attempt to protect his evil benefactor's brother, calls him ‘dog’ in the middle of a mob riot trying to impede his crackdown.

13. Thenmavin Kombath

The Kissing at the River

We have seen a lot of kissing scenes over the course of time, but none quite like this one. The beads tinkling, bangles rolling, pots plunging and amidst all the fanfare, the man and the woman caught in a tight embrace tumbling down in slo-mo finally landing in water with an even bigger ruckus! What more could one ask for from the histrionic genius of Priyadarshan’s vision! Justified through Manikyan’s rage over Karthumbi for being taunted with “Muddu-Gavu”, this over-dramatic scene is also a visual treat.

12. Sallapam

Struggle Between Radha and Divakaran on the Railway Track

The reckless struggle on the railway track in the climactic scene between Radha and Divakaran is hair-raising. Radha, jilted by her lover, decides to take her life in front of a speeding train, but Divakaran’s timely interference stops her but not without a harrowing skirmish. Even after being caught she fights to break free with full force from the clutches of the man who loves her dearly for the man who quit on her, creating thrilling visuals for a few remarkable minutes.

11. Mazhavilkavadi

Shankarankutty Menon at Velayudhankutty’s Barber Shop

This scene has no histrionics associated with it, and is one of the most eventless on the list, yet leaves a lasting impression like none other. Velayudhankutty who is a barber in Palani under the false pretext of working in a shoe factory is caught red-handed by his uncle Shankarankutty Menon who walks in for a shave. Velayudhankutty is compelled to give him one in front of his girlfriend and aunt who are equally shocked at his dual life.The suspense in the scene only have to do with emotion, and it's pretty powerful alright.

10. Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha

Death of Chandu Chekavar

When every last detail was twisted the other way around to glorify the much too detested character of Chandu Chakevar from history, his end couldn’t have been as simple and demeaning as getting carved by two adolescent boys. So M.T. gave a fitting culmination to this retelling of the northern ballad where Chandu gallantly takes his own life by spiking a sword into his gut as the two clueless boys watch on. This melodramatic scene was poignant, unexpected and intense.

9. Bharatham

Gopinathan’s Reluctant Taking Over of the Concert

The concert hall is erupting with the crowd booing at Ramananthan who, intoxicated with alcohol, is unable to perform, while his brother Gopinathan and the rest of the band members helplessly cringes in disgust. Finally when the audience completely loses it, Gopinathan takes over and sings like a genius silencing the hall in a beat. This act that is later on variously described as opportunistic and insulting to his brother, can be subjected to a wide range of psychological discussions as well.

8. Moonnam-pakkam

Grandfather’s Final Walk into the Sea

This film is an emotionally draining experience, but its final moments are especially haunting for the hopelessness in the life of the heartbroken grandfather. The scene is the final rite of his grandson at sea, and when it’s time for him to toss the ashes, he carries it up into the tides and walks on. As the rest of the men call out unable to get past the furious waves, the old man continues to strut on and finally drowns.

7. Kireedam

The Calming of Sethumadhavan after the Public Killing

Sethumadhavan’s prolonged combat with Keerikadan Jose in the market place is painful to watch, but the actual drama begins right after the killing, when like a feral animal he holds up the dagger to anybody approaching him. When the cops are unable to seize him, his father breaks into the scene demanding him to drop the blade. It is one of the most poignant scenes ever, where a father’s heartrending rebuke publicly disciplines an emotionally charged and knife-wielding man, who just crossed the line.

6. Kaliyattam

Murder of Thamara

William Shakespeare’s Desdemona did die a sad death at the hands of her jealous husband. But when Jayaraj adapted it in Malayalam the scene was so much more disquieting, and spookier too. The Theyyam face paint on Kannan Perumalayan that made him look as diabolic as his act itself, helped to intensify the melodrama intrinsic to the original scene written by the Bard. The dying clutch of Thamara on his make up that gradually loosens and slides down his painted chest is particularly unforgettable.

5. Adwaitham

The Time-Bomb Scene

There is a bomb threat on the life of Swami Amritananda, and District Collector Lakshmi is in charge of his security. In this scene, intense search is in progress to find and foil the plan while Swami’s procession is advancing in the foreground. Eventually when the dog, strapped with the said bomb, is unleashed, Lakshmi runs and stops it in time only to be brutally attacked. By the time Swami leaps out of his vehicle to help her, the bomb goes off concluding this exquisitely suspenseful scene.

4. Manichitrathazhu

Taming of Nagavalli

In fact all of the last fifteen minutes of Manichitrathazhu is memorable for its heightened drama starting from the frenzied ‘Oru Murai Vandu Parthaya”. But it’s the vibrantly ominous setting in the climactic scene with the make-believe atmosphere crafted as a final step in the treatment of the full-blown lunatic in Ganga that takes the cake for its unsettling histrionics and nail biting thrills. The fire and the burst of colors at the altar also intensify the uncertainty associated with the dangerous act.

3. Devasuram

Humiliation of Bhanumati

Reminiscent of the iconic shaming of Draupadi in the Dice Hall that shaped the central image of the epic Mahabharata, the first meeting between Mangalassery Neelakandan and Bhanumati is a tour de force in dramatic flair. As a payback to her earlier insolence towards his friends when Neelakandan first tricks and later threatens Bhanumati to dance at his house amidst the same bunch of drunken friends, she grudgingly yields, but at the end renounces her anklets on him pledging never to dance again.

2. Manichitrathazhu

Confrontation of Ganga

This is the most pivotal scene in the film where we get a taste of the much-anticipated alter ego in Ganga for the first time when Nakulan confronts her. By the time the scene begins, we are well aware of her condition, but no mental preparation can equip you for what manifests in that shocking expose act, where she slowly transforms into a hysterical, Tamil-speaking avenger, turning foul-mouthed, violent, and bloodthirsty, before finally collapsing in a feverish outburst.

1. Nirmalyam

The Defiance of the Temple Oracle

Even ignoring the shock-value and tragedy, this is one of the boldest scenes in the history of Malayalam Cinema. Heartbroken and overwhelmed when the temple oracle dances in the climactic festival, he is overwhelmed by his failure in life, and repeatedly strikes on his forehead with the deific sword in fury till his head breaks open. Bleeding like a brook he then enters the shrine and spits on the deity with the blood that trickles down from his head before dropping dead in a blood-curdling finale.    

Then there are also…

Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha- Unniyarcha’s betrayal

Godfather- Anjooran’s violence on Swaminathan
Kalapani- Govardhan forced to lick-clean Mirza Khan’s boots

Vaishali- The rainmaking scene

Ponmuttaidunna Tharavu- Snehalatha’s public denial of the affair

Amaram- The return of Radha and Raghavan post wedding

Veendum Chila Veetukaryangal- The expulsion of Roy Thomas

Thenamvin Kombathu- The climactic chase

Spadikam- Handcuffed to Laila, Adu Thoma paraded around the market place

Ulladakkam- The murder of Annie