Rithubedam is a 1987 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Prathap Pothen. The film stars Balachandra Menon, Thilakan, Geetha, Vineeth, Monisha Unni and Murali in the lead roles. The film has musical score by Shyam. Thilakan received the National Film Award  for the Best Supporting Actor in the year 1987 for his role in the film. The film was screened at 53rd International Film Festival of India.

Plot

The story revolves around an ailing aristocratic family Naduvancheril Nair Veedu with members infighting over the assets. A number of civil cases are ongoing in the court over the family assets with Mooppil Nair and his brother-in-law Karunakara Panicker on opposite sides. Kesu is a youngster returning from Chennai after an unsuccessful stint. He is the son of a deceased maid servant family of Nair Veedu. Rajan, a lecturer in the college arrives the village from southern town of Vaikom  and start renting a room in Kesu's house.

Rajan visits Nair Veedu for research on historical artefacts. He meets Mooppil Nair and his daughter Devaki who is in an unhappy marriage with drunkard Krishnanunni. Devaki and Rajan shares interest in Kerala history and poetry. They discuss the events around Tippu Sultan's invasion of Malabar. Rajan and Devaki comes closer to each other. Thankamani, younger sister of Devaki is a student of Rajan and is infatuated with him.

A receiver appointed by the court arrives and befriends Krishnanunni. He has ulterior motives over beautiful Devaki. However, Devaki rejects his advances angrily. But Mooppil Nair's second wife Subhadra is more than ready to cater all his needs in exchange of favours. He is interested in Thankamani too.

Rajan proposes to Devaki, but she rejects the idea for she has to take care of young Thankamani.

A forest land owned by the family was earlier acquired by the Government. The court directs the payment of  to the joint family to be divided among 16 family members. It turns out that one share belongs to Appu who is a mentally unstable orphan. The entire family plots to get Appu on their side to get his shares worth . Mooppil Nair and Subhadra goes further by arranging Appu to marry Thankamani.

To save Thankamani, Devaki pleads Rajan to marry Thankamani. On the same day, Kesu reveals Rajan that he adores Thankamani and wish to marry her someday. Rajan suggest the same to Devaki. But Devaki furiously rejects the idea which Rajan presumes is due to Kesu's lower social stature.

Mooppil Nair catches his wife cheating with the Receiver and expels her from the house.

On the day of Thankamani and Appu's wedding, a group of people lead by Krishnanunni, Karunakara Panicker and Rajan arrives and asks Thankamani's hand in marriage for Kesu. Mooppil Nair manhandles Kesu and reveals that Kesu is his own illegitimate son. On a moment of rage, Kesu kills Mooppil Nair with an axe.

Film ends on a positive note with Rajan, Thankamani, Krishanunni and Devaki visiting Kesu in the prison after 5 years. Rajan and Thankamani are married and have a baby girl.

Cast
 
 Balachandra Menon as Rajan Maashu
 Thilakan as Naduvancheril Achunni Nair a.k.a. Mooppil Nair
 Vineeth as Kesu
 Geetha as Devu
 Monisha as Thankamani
 Murali as Appu a.k.a. Aravindakshan 
 Nedumudi Venu as Krishnanunni
 M. Chandran Nair 
 Sankaradi as Karunakara Panicker
 Tony as Ravi
 Kuttyedathi Vilasini 
 M. G. Soman as Receiver
 Manimala 
 R. K. Nair 
 Santhadevi
 Child actor (Baby Girl) - Divya Sachi

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Shyam.

References

External links
 

1987 films
1980s Malayalam-language films
Films featuring a Best Supporting Actor National Film Award-winning performance
Films with screenplays by M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Films directed by Pratap Pothen