Moonnam Pakkam () is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Thilakan and Jayaram in the lead roles along with Kirti Singh, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan, Ajayan and Surasu in supporting roles. Kirti and Ajayan made their debut in this film. The film was  a commercial success. Thilakan's performance in the film is considered one of his most memorable performances.

Plot
Thampi, who retired as an accountant from the Indian Railway in the mid-1980s following his son's death, leads a solitary life in his ancestral house. Thampi's grandson Bhasker, also known as Bhasi or Pachu, is pursuing his medical studies in Bangalore. Thampi is excited when Bhasi comes along with his friends Lopez, Ranjith Menon, and Krishnankutty to spend his vacation with grandpa. Their presence brings joy and happiness into Thampi's house. Bhasi is engaged to a girl named Bhadra, who happens to be the granddaughter of Thampi's friend, a doctor.

During the vacation, Bhasi and his friends often go to the nearby beach for a swim. During one such visit, Bhasi and Lopez are pulled into the ocean, and only Lopez manages to escape. The police and the locals conduct a rescue operation in the ocean but in vain. It is believed among the locals that whatever is taken by the ocean is returned on the third day, as meant by the title of the movie.

Thampi refuses to acknowledge the fact that Bhasi is dead and puts on a brave face, consoling Bhasi's mother, his friends, and Bhadra. Eventually, Bhasi's body is found on the third day. The funeral is held on the same day, and Bhasi's friends get ready to leave the day after. They all visit the beach one last time to say goodbye to Bhasi, where they see Thampi arriving with priests to perform the funeral rites of Bhasi.

While performing the "bali," Thampi, who had lost all hope, takes the rice ball, "balichoru," in his hands and proceeds to the sea. To everyone's shock, Thampi, along with the "balichoru," submits himself to the sea and commits suicide.

Cast
Thilakan as Thampi
Jayaram as Bhasi
Kirti Singh as Bhadra
Rahman as Lopez
Ashokan as Ranjith Menon
Ajayan as Krishnankutty
Jagathi Sreekumar as Kavala
Surasu as Doctor
Soman as Kurup
Jayabharathi as Bhanu
Venu Nagavally as Jayan

Production
Major portions of the film were shot in Kanyakumari and its surrounding areas. The locations include Colachel, where the ancestral house is set, and Vatta Kottai, where the fort scene and the song "Thamarakkili" were filmed. The film's art direction was handled by Kurian Sabarigiri, makeup was done by Mohandas, and Indrans designed the costumes. Surya Jones worked as the film's still photographer. Malayalam playwright Surasu played a significant role in the film as Thampi's closest friend and Bhadra's grandfather. Another playwright, Jagathy N. K. Achary, made a cameo appearance as one of Thampi's friends in the film.

Soundtrack 

G. Venugopal won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer for the song "Unarumee Gaanam".

Reception 
In 2019, Aradhya Kurup of The News Minute wrote, " It's a breezy watch till a few scenes before climax. But after that you witness one of the most traumatic climax scenes in Malayalam cinema. And Thilakan’s performance is such that you go through the whole rollercoaster ride with him." The New Indian Express wrote, "A youthful Jayaram and versatile Thilakan produce a unforgettable display of love and affection between a widower and his grandchild. Thilakan's Thampi is as good as his Kochuvava from Kattukuthira (1990) or Achuthan Nair from Kireedam (1989) and Chenkol (1993), establishing his contendership for the best actor ever in Malayalam."

References

External links 
 

1988 films
1980s Malayalam-language films
1988 drama films
Films with screenplays by Padmarajan
Films directed by Padmarajan
Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja