Varavelpu

Varavelpu (transl. Welcoming) is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language black comedy film directed by Sathyan Anthikad and written by Sreenivasan, starring Mohanlal, Revathi, Sreenivasan, Thilakan, Murali, Innocent, and Jagadish. The film was produced by K. Rajagopal. The film depicted trade union problems plaguing Kerala in a satirical dark comedy.[1][2]

Varavelpu
Poster
Directed bySathyan Anthikad
Produced byK. Rajagopal
Screenplay bySreenivasan
StarringMohanlal
Revathi
Sreenivasan
Murali
Innocent
Thilakan
Music byJohnson
CinematographyVipin Mohan
Edited byK. Rajagopal
Production
company
K. R. G. Movie International
Distributed byK. R. G. Enterprises
Release date
  • 7 April 1989 (1989-04-07)
Running time
145 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

The film was based on a real-life incident in Sreenivasan's father's life. The film was an average grosser at box office but later created a cult status and following.[3][4] The movie was remade in Hindi as Chal Chala Chal.

Plot

Murali (Mohanlal) returns to his home town after spending 7 long years hardworking in gulf with an intention to settle down peacefully in his hometown. Much against the greedy wishes of his family members, he decides to buy a second hand bus that comes along with a route permit. This is when he faces a lot of hardships. Starting From an accident because of the inefficient driver(innocent) to a cheating conductor to a cunning union leader, Murali's life is taken for a toss with ever growing challenges one after the other. Then he gets an offer from a labour officer but he turns down saying that he has already lost this game and he tends to move for a better job. At last it is depicted as he leaves to Bombay (now Mumbai).

Cast

Production

The film was based on a real-life incident in Sreenivasan's father's life. Sathyan Anthikkad got the story idea while listening to Sreenivasan when he recalled how his family ended in financial debt as his communist father was labeled a capitalist after he bought a bus.[5]

Soundtrack
Varavelpu
Soundtrack album by
Johnson
ReleasedApril 1989
GenreFilmi, popular music
LabelTharangini Records

All lyrics are written by Kaithapram Damodaran; all music is composed by Johnson.

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Doore Doore Sagaram Thedi"K. J. Yesudas 
2."Vellara Poomala Mele"K. J. Yesudas 
3."Doore Doore Sagaram Thedi"K. S. Chithra 

Reception

In 2003, the then Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee mentioned the film and Mohanlal in his inaugural speech at the Global Investor Meet held in Kerala. He said: "I am told that there is a Malayalam movie called Varavelppu in which your famous actor Mohanlal acts as a Gulf-returned Keralite. He invests his savings in a small business venture with high hopes. But in the end, he is forced to close it down after going through many unpleasant experiences. Therefore, this conference should serve as an occasion for introspection".[6]

References
  1. Nair, Malini (25 May 2020). "How Kerala's migrant experience is woven in its culture, captured on screen, in stories". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 20 June 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  2. George, Vijay (19 December 2018). "We have to compete using ideas: filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 20 December 2018. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  3. Kurup, Aradhya (12 September 2017). "From 'Sadayam' to 'Kaiyoppu': 10 Malayalam films that flopped but have a cult status". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  4. Menon, Neelima (4 February 2019). "Under-appreciated Malayalam Films Of The 80s". Film Companion. Archived from the original on 5 January 2021. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  5. രാജീവ്, സ്വാതി (21 June 2019). "'വരവേല്‍പി'ലെ മോഹന്‍ലാലുമാര്‍ ഇപ്പോഴും; ചിലര്‍ ആത്മഹത്യ ചെയ്യുന്നു: 'ആന്തൂരി'ല്‍ അന്തിക്കാട്". Manorama News (in Malayalam). Retrieved 19 July 2019.
  6. "Prime Minister Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's Inaugural Speech at the Global Investor Meet : Speeches : Prime Minister of India - Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee". Archivepmo.nic.in. 18 January 2003. Retrieved 19 July 2019.
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