Panchavadi Palam


Panchavadi Palam is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language political satire film written and directed by K. G. George, based on the story Palam Apakadathil written by Veloor Krishnankutty. It stars Bharat Gopy and Nedumudi Venu. The film tries to caricaturise the political scenario in the state of Kerala and especially corruption by politicians.

Plot

A henpecked politician wants his name attached to a new bridge, even if that means destroying another, perfectly serviceable bridge. This politician Dussasana Kuruppu is the president of the village. He, along with his other members, tries to demolish the bridge on the advice of his fellow party member, his right hand and crooked mind Sikhandi Pillai. The opposition leader Ishak Tharakan makes moves to thwart this and to capture the position of the village presidency. As a compromise step, both groups agree to relocate the bridge to a distant location, so that not only a new bridge, a new road also will be needed to reach the bridge.
The two tenders, one for bridge and one for road is given to two local contractors, one belongs to the ruling party and the other one supported by the opposition. Ultimately, the bridge is built and opened to the public on the same day of the marriage of Dussasana Kurup's daughter and the bridge contractor. The marriage function is attended by many, including the minister of state for public works department and the entire people, who came for marriage walks across the bridge, causing it to collapse, killing the crippled Kathorayan. The film ends by showing the broken bridge in the background.

Cast

The music was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan with lyrics by Chowalloor Krishnankutty.