Aaraam Thampuran


Aaraam Thampuran is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Shaji Kailas, written by Ranjith and produced by Revathy Kalamandhir. It stars Mohanlal, Narendra Prasad, and Manju Warrier. The story follows Jagannadhan, a former Mumbai-based criminal who buys an old Kovilakam named Kanimangalam and shifts the balance of power in that village and he comes to be known as "Aaram Thampuran". The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and background score by C. Rajamani.
Aaraam Thampuran became the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever, to that date, and completed more than 250 days theatrical run. The film broke the collection record of Mohanlal-starrer Chandralekha released in the same year. The film won two Kerala State Film Awards—Best Background Music for Rajamani and Best Singer for K. J. Yesudas. Manju Warrier won her second consecutive Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam.

Plot

Nandakumar, a business tycoon in Mumbai, faces huge financial loss when his manager Abey Mathew decides to broker a deal with an Australian group and another rival Indian firm. He calls up Jagannadhan, alias Jagan, his friend and enforcer to intervene. Jagan lands up at the office of Abey and forces him to withdraw from brokering the deal with the Australian company, there by bringing massive profit to Nandan. In return, Nandan is profuse in his offer to Jagan, all of which he humbly disavows. Jagan finally demands Nandan a small favor. He wants Nandan to purchase an old palace at Kanimangalam, a village in Kerala, to which Nandan agrees. Jagan also expresses his desire that the palace should be bought in the name of Nandan, and Jagan should be there as a benami of him.
Jagannadhan reaches down at Kanimangalam for the registration of the palace and the property surrounding it. Meanwhile, Kulappully Appan Thamburan, a feudal landlord with vested interests, opposes the purchase of the property. Appan's sister was married to Dathan Thampuran of Kanimangalam palace, who deserted her one day. The extreme hatred towards Kanimangalam had made Appan to even stop the annual temple festival, which according to the villagers has resulted in the anger of Goddess, the local deity. Now, with the arrival of Jagannathan, Appan is back again creating troubles. But Jagannathan tactfully overcomes it and gets the palace registered. Presently the palace is occupied by Krishna Varma, an old musician, and Unnimaya, his foster daughter. Unnimaya is believed to be the illegitimate daughter of Dathan Thampuran, but is disowned by the rest of his family members. Though, now in the hands of Jagan, he allows Varma and Unnimaya to stay in the palace. Though, initially, both Varma and Unnimaya felt uncomfortable in staying with Jagan, slowly, they develop an affection towards him.
Within a short time, Jagan gets involved in the problems of the villagers and they started considering him to the heir of the palace and their leader. Jagannathan invites the ire of Appan Thamburan, with whom he clashes over the demolition of the palace, which he had earlier promised during the registration. Jagan, when expresses his desire to stay at Kanimangalam, Appan sends his henchmen, who had to humiliatingly return from Jagan. Now, the villagers decide to hold up the annual festival at the temple, after a long gap of 16 years. Jagannathan takes up the leadership and with the support of villagers, he starts the preparations. Within mean time, Unnimaya develops a closeness towards him. In the midst of this, Nayanthara, a close friend of Jagan, reaches Kanimangalam from Bangalore. She expresses her desire to marry Jagan, which he declines, saying that he is now in love with Unnimaya. Nayanthara accepts his decision and goes back wishing him all the best for the future. According to the customs of the village, the festival puja should be done under a head priest from Keezhpayoor Mana, but when Appan Thamburan interferes, the members from Keezhpayoor refuses to conduct the puja, which makes Jagan to forcefully take the younger namboothiri from away from home on way back.
Suddenly Nandakumar lands down at Kanimangalam with his friends, one of whom harasses Unnimaya. This upsets Jagan, and, without Nandan's knowledge, he forcefully sends them back from Kanimangalam. In midst of this, the younger priest is taken away by Appan Thamburan's men. It is then revealed by Jagan that he is the son of the Kaloor Brahmadathan Namboothiripadu, the head priest of the temple, who died after being wrongly accused of stealing the divine ornaments of the Goddess. Jagan follows Ayinikad Namboothiri, the astrologer's instructions and wears his Yagyopaveetham, the holy thread, and adopts back Brahmanyam.
The day of the festival arrives. Nandan, who had gone in search of his friends, is now back in an inebriated condition and furiously demands Jagan to leave the palace. Jagan pleads him one day's time, but Nandan is not ready to listen. Finding no other option, Jagan locks up Nandan in a room and reaches the temple to perform the rituals. Kulappully Appan's henchmen attacks villagers. Jagan is helpless as he is supposed to control his emotions while performing the puja and holding the divine ornaments of the Goddess. The younger priest suddenly reappears and replaces Jagan in the puja so that Jagan can save the villagers. Jagan fights and saves the villagers, emerging as their leader. He then points his sword at Appan's neck and threatens to kill him if he ever comes back. The festival concludes successfully and the village is cheerful.
Nandan is released and Jagan announces the cheering crowd that it is not him, but Nandakumar, the original owner of the Kanimangalam palace and he is leaving the village with both Unnimaya and Krishna Varma. But, Nanda Kumar, who is overwhelmed by seeing the affection of the people for Jagan, calls him back and hands over the ownership to him.

Cast

This film includes five songs written by Gireesh Puthenchery and one traditional song by Muthuswami Dikshitar. The songs are composed by Raveendran. The song were widely popular and topped the charts for months.
TrackSongSingersLyricistRaga
1"Harimuraleeravam"K. J. YesudasGireesh PuthencherySindhu Bhairavi
2"Paadi"K. S. ChithraGireesh PuthencheryDarbar
3"Santhatham"Manju MenonGireesh PuthencheryRaagamaalika
4"Kadalaadum"M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. ChithraGireesh PuthencheryMohanam
5"Kuyilpaadum"M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha MohanGireesh PuthencheryMadhyamavati
6"Paadi"K. J. YesudasGireesh PuthencheryDarbar
7"Santhatham"K. J. Yesudas, SharrethGireesh PuthencheryRaagamaalika
8"Govardhana Gireesham"Manju WarrierTraditional Hindolam

Box office

The film was released in December 1997. It was subject to high expectations, as it was the first collaboration between Mohanlal and Shaji Kailas. Upon release, the film broke many records and became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of the year and the highest-grossing Malayalam film ever, until then. It completed a theatrical run of more than 250 days. The film redefined the career of Kailas as a successful director.
In 1998, during the 250 days celebration of the film, actor Jayasurya was one among the ten fans who got the opportunity to garland Mohanlal, he went to the event as part of a mimicry show. It was also at the event that he received his first film offer from director Priyadarshan.

Awards

;Kerala State Film Awards
;Filmfare Awards South