# Meghamalhar

Meghamalhar is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language romance film written and directed by Kamal from a story by Iqbal Kuttippuram. It stars Biju Menon and Samyuktha Varma in the lead roles while Poornima Mohan, Sreenath, Shivaji, Siddique, and Raghavan play supporting roles. The film was jointly produced by M. V. Shreyams Kumar for Mathrubhumi and Asianet. It won two Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. The movie was reported to be inspired by the 1945 British movie Brief Encounter.

## Plot

The film is the story of Rajeevan, an advocate, and Nandita Menon, a writer. Rajeevan is married to Rekha, a bank employee, and has two kids. Nandita is married to Mukundan, a businessman in the Gulf, and has a daughter. They lead their normal family life happily. A mix-up in the cakes they ordered for their respective kids introduces the protagonists and their backgrounds. Both meet each other accidentally and in due course, their relationship becomes intimate (mentally). Their tastes and thinking are almost alike.
When Rajeev narrates an incident in his childhood bearing uncanny resemblance to Nandita's short story, she realizes he is her childhood friend on whose shoulders she leaned in times of distress. A chemistry develops between them which Rajeev mistakes to be love and expresses his feelings to her. She responds predictably and tries to alienate him, ignoring him. Later, she gifts her book, "Megha Malhar", to him, revealing that she is his childhood friend.
Rajeev agrees never to meet her again and meets her for the last time. They travel together to Kanyakumari where they had spent their childhood together. They decide to part ways and live as strangers.

## Cast

* Biju Menon as Adv.Rajeev
* Samyuktha Varma as Nandita (voice dubbed by Bhagyalekshmi)
* Poornima Mohan as Rekha Rajeev
* Ranjini as Seemanthini Krishnan, Nandita's friend
* Sreenath as Advocate Bhoominathan, Rajeevan's friend
* Shivaji as Santhosh, Rajeevan’s elder brother
* Siddique as Mukundan(Nandita’s husband)
* RaghavanNandita’s father-in-law
* Ambika Mohan as Rajeevan's sister-in-law(Debut Film)
* Sanusha as Malavika (Malu), Nandita’s daughter.
* Jijoy Rajagopal as Prasad, the press photographer
* Bindhu Krishna

## Soundtrack

The film's lyrics were written by O. N. V. Kurup and Nazim Akhtar, and the music was by Ramesh Narayan and Jithesh (Rangathu).
* "Oru Narupushpamaayi" (M) - K. J. Yesudas
* "Oru Narupushpamaayi" (F) - K. S. Chitra, Ramesh Narayan
* "Ponnushassennum" - P. Jayachandran, K. S. Chitra
* "Rangathu" - Jithesh

## Reception

A critic from Screen wrote that "It is, no doubt, that seeing Meghmalhaar would be a really different and unforgettable experience for the viewers who have been seeing dry, stale, meaningless stuff in the name of cinema". A critic from Cinesouth wrote that "May be, by ordinary standards, this movie might not become a grand hit, but it's a good attempt at making good movies. Something that speaks about the beauty of love and of family bonds".

## Awards
### Filmfare Awards South

* Best Actress - Malayalam - Samyuktha Varma
* Best Film - Malayalam - M. V. Shreyams Kumar

### Kerala State Film Awards

* Second Best Film - Meghamalhar
* Best Screenplay - Kamal

### Kerala Film Critics' Awards

* Best Film - Meghamalhar
* Best Screenplay - Kamal

### Asianet Film Awards

* Best Film - Meghamalhar
* Best Director - Kamal
* Best Actress - Samyuktha Varma
* Best Star Pair - Biju Menon and Samyuktha Varma
* Best Cinematographer - Venugopal
* Best Editing - Beena Paul

### Others

* Ramu Kariyat Award for Best Director - Kamal