After a 16-year delay, “Swapnamalika,” the first film penned by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, is set for a theatrical release this October.
After languishing in post-production limbo for more than a decade and a half, “Swapnamalika” is finally poised to make its debut on the big screen. Directed by the late Adv K A Devarajan, the film stars Mohanlal, who also wrote the original story. Completed in the early 2000s but beset by numerous setbacks, the film is expected to resonate with audiences this October.
The storyline of “Swapnamalika” is based on “Tharpanam,” a short story written by Mohanlal. Screenplay adaptation was handled by S Suresh Babu, ensuring that the emotional depth and complexity of the original narrative are vividly brought to life. The film initially generated significant excitement upon production, only to be shelved due to unforeseen issues after filming wrapped.
In the movie, Mohanlal takes on the role of Dr. Appu Nair, an oncologist traveling to Varanasi on a poignant mission to immerse his father’s ashes. During his journey, Dr. Nair encounters Radha Carmel, a foreigner played by Israeli actress Eleena. This meeting and the evolving events form the crux of the narrative, promising an emotional exploration of themes like grief and cross-cultural connection.
The film’s cast also features some of the stalwarts of Indian cinema, including the late Thilakan, Innocent, and Sukumari, along with Urmila Unni, Kottayam Nazeer, Saju Kodiyan, Kulappulli Leela, Shivani, and Vidya, among others. The music, composed by Rajamani and Jayakishan, is set to complementary lyrics written by Aparna, daughter of the late director Devarajan.
The path to this release has been fraught with challenges, involving script revisions and other disputes that indefinitely stalled its progress. Unfortunately, the director, Devarajan, passed away in April of the previous year, unable to witness the premiere of his long-awaited project.
Despite these hurdles, “Swapnamalika” offers fans an opportunity to appreciate Mohanlal’s unique storytelling and artistic vision, presenting a film that seemed destined to remain a lost piece of cinematic history.
For an audience that has waited so long, the release of “Swapnamalika” marks a significant cultural moment and a return to a project that had risked fading away over the years.
According to Mathrubhumi, the impending release brings a sense of closure to a project that has been deeply anticipated by fans and cinephiles alike.
Source: Original article