Aparan and Radha Madhavam

 

Watched two malayalam movies this weekend:

Aparan (1988) Directed by: P. Padmarajan Starring: Jayaram, Shobana, Parvathy, Madhu

It was Jayaram's debut movie. 

Padmarajan’s “Aparan” is a haunting psychological thriller that explores the theme of identity, fate, and societal perception. Jayaram, in his debut role, plays both the innocent K. Vishwanathan and his criminal lookalike—a duality that forms the heart of the film. The story unfolds with an increasing sense of unease, as the protagonist struggles to reclaim his identity from a shadow that he never chose.

Padmarajan’s nuanced direction combines suspense with philosophical depth. The film subtly critiques how society is quick to judge based on appearances, and how reputation, once stained, is hard to cleanse. The cinematography and background score heighten the tension, while performances—particularly from Madhu and Shobana—add emotional layers.

Aparan remains one of Malayalam cinema’s finest psychological dramas. It’s intelligent, layered, and tragically relevant even today.

1990 Malayalam film Radha Madhavam, directed by Suresh Unnithan, starring Thilakan, Geetha, and Jayaram

Radha Madhavam is a sensitive, layered portrayal of relationships, loneliness, and power dynamics, set against the backdrop of the art world and an unconventional household.

Thilakan plays Madhavan Thampi, a once-renowned playwright living in isolation with his muse, Radha (played by Geetha), a woman much younger than him. Their relationship, though not legally bound by marriage, is one of companionship, intellect, and emotional complexity. When a young theatre artist (Jayaram) enters their lives, the fragile balance is disrupted, leading to emotional upheaval, jealousy, and an unmasking of hidden insecurities.

Thilakan delivers a masterclass in subtlety. His portrayal of a man torn between creative passion, possessiveness, and aging vulnerability is deeply affecting.

Geetha shines as Radha — a woman with quiet strength, caught between gratitude, love, and a growing desire for independence. Her eyes often convey what words don’t.

Jayaram is earnest as the newcomer whose arrival unintentionally causes emotional chaos. His role is both a catalyst and a mirror to the older characters’ suppressed truths.

The film delves into:Unconventional relationships and how society perceives them, Emotional dependency vs. intellectual companionship. The ego of a fading artist struggling with irrelevance. The quiet resilience of a woman who has built her life around someone else's brilliance.

Suresh Unnithan’s direction is subtle and intimate. He gives space for silences, long stares, and carefully staged confrontations, allowing emotions to simmer.

Lohithadas’s writing is sensitive and poetic, filled with meaningful dialogue that explores human fragility without melodrama. Vidyadharan’s music complements the mood of the film — melancholic, poetic, and restrained.