Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha

Plot synopsis:
The film is set in 16th-century northern Kerala. The plot unfolds at Puthooram, the house of great Kannappan Chekavar (Balan K. Nair). Kannappan Chekavar adopts the son of his estranged sister when the boy loses both his parents and brings him to Puthooram to live and learn with his cousins. The orphan boy, Chandu, a quick learner, earns the love and admiration of his uncle, while he is loathed by his cousin Aromal (Suresh Gopi).
As they grow up Chandu (Mammootty) is betrothed to Chekavar's daughter, Unniyarcha (Madhavi). Several events unfold where in Chandu finds himself being pushed to the corner by his cousin. He flees to the kalari under the guidance of Tulunadan expert and master Chekavar, Aringodar (Captain Raju).
Chandu has to recount only losses in his life, as Aromal ensures his sister is not married to Chandu. He even deceives Chandu by usurping and marrying Kunjinooli (Chithra), who was in love with Chandu. The heartbroken Chandu moves ahead and continues to master the art of Kalari Payattu from Aringodar.
On wedding day of Aromal, Unniyarcha invites Chandu to her room. However Unniyarcha’s husband, the eunuch Kunjiraman (V. K. Sreeraman) sees them. Unniyarcha, the clever vixen that she is, convinces her husband that Chandu broke into her room as she was awaiting the arrival of Kunjiraman. Chandu gets a sobriquet: 'Womanizer Chandu.' A dejected Chandu finds solace in Kunji (Geetha), Aringodar’s daughter.
Feudal lord Unnichandror (Ramu) arrives at the footsteps of Aringodar and invites him to represent his cause in an angam (duel unto death) against mooppu feud with his brother Unnikonar (Devan). Unnikonar, in turn, invites Aromal to represent him. Chandu is now caught in a dilemma, when his uncle requests him to play second hand to Aromal in the angam against his teacher Aringodar. Unniyarcha also appears and offers to live with Chandu if he assists Aromal to win against Aringodar. A tempted Chandu, decides to second Aromal. Chandu takes on the task of revitalizing Aromal's swords by providing them for treatment to the blacksmith. However, Kunji, Aringodar’s daughter, bribes the blacksmith and makes them brittle.
On the day of the duel, Aromal, though highly skilled, is no match for the master Aringodar. To add to the misery, Aromal's sword breaks in two. As Chandu placates an attacking Aringodar, seeking time to replace the weapon, Aringodar obliges. Then wily Aromal throws his broken sword and kills an unguarded Aringodar.
Aromal is declared winner. As he retires to his resting place, Chandu follows him to tend to his injuries. Aromal blames Chandu of cheating, by treating the swords to make them brittle, and attacks him. Aromal kills himself in an accident by falling over a lamp. As people gather, Aromal breathes out his last words: "Chandu betrayed us!".
The ill-fated Chandu escapes the mob and finds the blacksmith, who informs that he was bribed by Kunji. Fighting his way through the entire contingent of guards, Chandu storms into Aringodar's household seeking Kunji. To add to his list of regrets, he finds Kunji has committed suicide by hanging herself. Chandu returns to Puthooram Veedu and is greeted by a raging Unniyarcha, who vows her sons will avenge her brother’s death.
Years later, Aromal Unni (Sanjay Mitra) and Kannapan Unni (Rasheed Ummer) (sons of Unniyarcha and Aromal Chekavar respectively) come to the kalari of Arangodar seeking revenge. Chandu explains to them the situation, hoping to avoid a duel. However, after being repeatedly challenge Chandu easily beats both, once again showing his mastery. Thinking they will leave before bloodshed is inevitable he attempts to retire his weapons. The two young warriors are in no mood to leave in defeat and insist on a duel to the death. Aromal Unni announces himself, "I, son of Unniyarcha, will die or go back with your head." Chandu appears to relent to their provocations and turns his back to them to pray in preparation for the duel. But realizing that no one will ever be able to win against him, and reminded that Aromal is Unniyarcha's son, he commits one final act of valour: Chandu stabs himself with his sword. "You would have been my son," he tells Aromal Unni bitterly. He reaches out to the statue of his deity and dies, a valiant but misunderstood warrior, the greatest warrior of his age.

Tags: romantic, flashback

Review:
One of my all time favourites and a truly magnificent movie.
Great casting,sets,costumes,cinematography,music & innovative direction by Hariharan.
MT Vasudevan Nair has worked wonders with the script & dialogues.
It can be said that he successfully re-wrote history by turning "chadiyan chandu" of kerala folklore into a modern day hero.
The portayal of Chandu by Mammootty was so complete that its his face that comes to mind whenever one reads about this historical character in story books or academic texts.
Captain Raju too, arguably played the role of his life as "Aringodar".
The kalari payat scenes have been beautifully picturised and appear very realistic.
And ofcourse the two songs by Yesudas have become perennial favourites.
I don't think there's anything about this movie that can termed even remotely negative.
The copyright holders should urgently think of releasing this film on DVD.
As good as it gets.
I tried finding a DVD copy of this film but was unsuccessful.
i highly suggest that the producers of this movie decide to remaster the video and audio for future generations.
the copy of it that I saw was a very grainy print on VHS, which unfortunately is how most people watch the movie for the first time.
its strange how fast the technical quality of movie prints in India have been improving in recent years.
Malayalam cinema is always a few years behind obviously, but i wish that current technology were available in the late 1980s in Kerala.
This is not the sort of movie that can be re-made.
i am all but certain that the spirit would be ruined.
The last thing i want to see is some scrawny lad doing hong kong kung fu in the kalari.
there is no perfect movie, but this comes close.
when a story manages to upturn legend, bond us with a silent hero, and entertain us along the way, it has done its job and then some.
i wish there were more like this..
A real classic if there was one!.
A real classic if there was one!.
Terrific movie & one of my all time favourites.
Everything about this movie is in superlatives.
Great sets, casting, cinematography, music etc.
M.T.Vasudevan Nair has worked wonders with the script & dialogues, and direction by Hariharan is innovative.
Mammootty's portrayal of the central character "Chandu" was so realistic that whenever one reads or talks about this historical character from the Northern ballads,it's Mammootty who springs to mind.
Captain Raju too did a great job as the much misunderstood martial arts Guru "Aringodar".
In fact, there were fantastic performances all around -Balan K.Nair, Suresh Gopi, Madhavi, each one of them "lived" their characters.
Another lasting factor of this film are the two songs by Yesudas which have become perennial favourites.
I hope the copyright holders of this movie will urgently start working on its DVD version.
It would be a great tribute to one of the best movies ever made in India..
It would be a great tribute to one of the best movies ever made in India..
Awesome.
Mammookka..
What an inspiration to youth actors....
Awesome movie.
. Waiting to see again mammookka in this role.....
MT Vasudevan Nair as always inspires us.
.. Epic..
One of the greatest film in the history of Indian cinema.
Mammooty lived as the "chathiyan Chanthu".
A must watch..
excellent movie...
highly recommended.
the acting of bharath mammotty is excellent.
The best part of this movie goes to its screenplay which was done by award winner M T.
The music in this film was a great hit.
This is one of the best movies in Malayalam.
This is a historical story which portraying the life of chanthu in a different way.
in history chanthu was accused of being a cheater, but here he is the protagonist.
this film had a great twist at the end.
Overall this is the one the best Indian movies which bagged several national awards.through this movie the director made a benchmark in historical film making.
the fighting scenes also superb..
The story provides a distinctive dictionary.
North pt When Vasudevan Nair translated a new language, all the best movies of malayalam.
Mammootty was honored with various national anthem.
The dialogue that starts with the kids can not be defeated by Chanthu..
good movie.
good movie.
The film is based on a legend about the Chekavar warriors.An alternative version of epic battle between two legendary Chekavar's through villain's perspective.The film is set in 16th-century northern Kerala.
The plot unfolds at Puthooram, the house of great Kannappan Chekavar (Balan K.
Nair).
Kannappan Chekavar adopts the son of his estranged sister when the boy loses both his parents and brings him to Puthooram to live and learn with his cousins.
The orphan boy, Chandu, a quick learner, earns the love and admiration of his uncle, while he is loathed by his cousin Aromal (Suresh Gopi)..
My all time favorite from Mollywood.
A classic like "Troy".History re-enacted.
Mohanlal my favorite actor's release "Kireedam" was pitted against this movie in national awards.
There is a good reason for this movie to have won national accolades.
The script,screenplay,the choice of actors and direction makes this movie stand apart.
The role of Mammootty and Suresh Gopi reminded me of Mahabharata...a replica of Arjuna and Karna.The movie also delves into the psyche of women who use men to further their desires through vile intentions.
Songs in the movie still sooth our souls.
Till such time, I was never a fan of Mammootty, this movie changed my outlook towards this versatile actor.
Nice to have both Mammootty and Mohanlal still ruling the roost with "Munnari Yupe" and "Drishyam"..
A legend of a movie.
A movie that literally rewrote history.
The launch of this movie saw a much maligned character of Kerala's folklore turn into a magnificent hero.
Whatever the veracity of the account, the movie saw a million hearts warm to the hapless fate of Chandu.
A name that would otherwise have evoked images of treachery and deceit, tuned overnight into a legend in its own right.
A movie that still after decades of its launch makes goosebumps crawl through your skin and makes your heart ache for the protagonist.
The writer and the movie have successfully portrayed the character in a positive light without completely overturning the folklore.
Not only did it portray an image of the protagonist as completely opposed to the folklore but it also managed to change the audience perceptions as well.
The kudos goes to the excellent script written by M.T. If this movie were a propaganda effort of Chandu in his lifetime i am left in no doubt that he would have become a hero in his own lifetime.
No word of praise would be enough for this legendary movie.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that its a poetry written in celluloid..
MAMMOOKKA IS GREAT ACTOR IN WORLD.
Outstanding performance of Megastar..Good movie.All songs from this movie are So beautyfull.