Kilukkam

Kilukkam (1991) : Brief Review -

If Sadma was to be made as a Classic rom-com with a twist and family drama.. Kilukkam contains too much content for 90s Indian Dramas. Remember Kamal Haasan and Sridevi's stunning Classic Sadma? Just imagine the same story ending with a twist at the interval point followed by family drama in the second half. It would look very much like Kilukkam, if not exactly. 90s Indian Dramas used to contain only one content or sometimes two. Either it used to be a complete family-drama with emotional melodrama or a rom-com with the ending set in family zone. Kilukkam goes beyond that. It contains too many elements for 90s Indian Dramas like romance, comedy, drama, family segments, twists, blast from the past and then utterly philosophical burning climax just before the happy ending. There is something about Mohanlal films you know, his happy looking films suddenly turns extremely realistic and bitter in the end. Remember his Chithram? It ends with a bitter facts of life when audience were expecting a happy ending and something like that happens here too in Kilukkam in the ending portion. He does not open-up about his love, rather he lets her go for her and his own good referring to life circle by giving an allegorical example of station. Loved that. An instant recall to Hollywood Classic 'Grand Hotel' (1932). How many rom-coms in 90s would do that? The film is about Nandini, an illegitimate child who comes to Ooty in search of her father. She meets Joji, a tourist guide, and pretends to be mentally unstable in order to get shelter in his house. Mohanlal gives yet another fantastic performance and but this film is more about Revathi's memorable portrayal. Priyadarshan was some genius director to watch out for in 80s and 90s. This one is another sensibile mainstream entertainer from him and a Must Watch for his, Mohanalal's and Revathi's fans and for neutral Family Audience as well.

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest.

This movie in my opinion is without a doubt one of the greatest Malayalam movies ever made,Priyadarsans best till now,It came during the golden era of cinematic brialliance and stays to this day as a standing testimonial,I have seen it for the umpteenth time since i was a toddler and I still cant get over it,the chemistry between Lal and Jagathy resulting in outrageous hilarious moments are timeless,the same is the case with Thilakan and Innocent complimented by excellent performances by Revathy and all the supporting cast.A movie that aptly justifies why Jagathy is the greatest comedian of his time,the comic timing in the film is impeccable as well as cinematagrophy,songs and script,every single comic scene is a show stealer.The characters of Joji,Nischal n Kittuni still remain etched in the hearts of Malayalis to this very day.A movie that effortlessly lifts any one's spirits on the gloomiest of days and sends you rolling down a roller-coaster of fun. "Welcome to OOTY folks!!"..AMAZING

Kilukkam (1991) is a film that generations of Malayalees return to time and again, purely for the joy of being entertained. It is a timeless gem, a joyous rollercoaster of laughter and emotion, where every single frame is packed with life. No matter how many times you watch it, the plot, performances, and emotions continue to strike a fresh chord.

Mohanlal, at the peak of his powers, sharing the screen with legendary performers like Thilakan, Innocent, and Jagathy Sreekumar, is nothing short of cinematic magic. The loss of these legends is an irreplaceable one for Indian cinema, yet their art lives on eternal and unmatched. The ease with which they transition between comedy, despair, warmth, and complex relationships is remarkable. Each emotion is portrayed with such nuance and authenticity that it feels effortless, even while being extraordinary.

What makes Kilukkam truly special is how seamlessly it blends humour with heartfelt moments, driven by actors who inhabit their characters rather than merely perform them. This is storytelling at its finest simple on the surface, yet deeply layered.

Sadly, cinephiles and non-Malayalam-speaking audiences are missing out on this masterpiece, as the film was never dubbed into other languages, being a 1991 release. One can only hope that someday Kilukkam is properly translated and made accessible to a wider audience, so that more people across the world get the chance to experience and cherish this beautiful piece of cinema.

The story Joji (Mohanlal) is a guide in Ooty, and comes across a girl (Revathi) whom he thinks is a rich tourist, but turns out to be mentally deranged. A friend of his (Jagathy Sreekumar) then discovers that there is a reward on offer for finding this girl, and they decide to claim it. Then comes the revelation that the girl is actually fleeing from her relatives, who are out for her blood, to claim her inheritance. How our heroes battle the villains for the sake of the girl forms the rest of the story.

It's different... While the above synopsis reads like any Bollywood masala, what sets this movie apart is that it is first and foremost a comedy. Practically every line of the dialogue in the first half, as well as every scene, was made with one intention-to make you laugh. Oops, sorry-there was a second intention-to build a good story line. Even in the second half, when things get serious, both the action and the dialogues follow a light hearted vein, which will be familiar to those who have seen Hera Pheri.

The fine acting of Mohanlal, Jagathy, Thilakan and Revathi has further embellished the quality of this movie, and the few, but excellent dialogues of Innocent leave you rollicking with laughter.

My brother-in-law, like a huge number of Keralites, has seen this movie so many times that he can quote every line of the dialogues. He starts laughing even when nothing funny is happening on the screen, because he is already thinking of the next scene, which is hilarious!

The downside You cannot really enjoy this film if you do not follow the language, because it uses a lot of puns. However, the situational comedy can be enjoyed (much as you would in a silent movie) even by those who do not know Malayalam. Don't blame me if you think that you have already seen the movie in your own language, as this film has been re-made in practically every major language.

This is one of my favorite malayalam movies for many years..the fun and the best combination by Mohan Lal and Jagathi Sreekumar leaves us lots of unforgettable moments in the movie.... If you like to watch good malayalam movies this is the right one to see..