Bhargavi Nilayam

This is a 1964 Malayalam film starring Madhu, Vijaya Nirmala and Prem Nazir.

This is acclaimed as Malayalam's first horror film. And it's very different in that the ghost never touches or kills a human. It's presence in the home leads to the circumstances and events around it. Including the revelation of the true course of events of its life. And despite that, the camera work and direction ensure our hair stands on end in some scenes. The music and performances are excellent.

It is notable that a lot of elements including the theme of the story, the music and even song contexts in the best Malayalam horror film till date viz. Manichithrathazhu, are from Bhargavi Nilayam.

Madhu bags a more central role in the film than Prem. His realistic performance also justifies it. Vijaya Nirmala, with the big beautiful eyes is well cast. PJ Anthony, Pappu and Adoor Bhasi also stand out in their relatively shorter roles.

A definite must-watch.

1964 can still be considered the early stages in Malayalam films because, till 1960, the total number of Malayalam films that came till then was around 70-80 films. I mentioned that because of how dated this film feels in certain aspects. Many aspects of the direction and acting are definitely way behind for the time but not at all for the industry in particular. Yet, the cinematography, use of the soundscape and music is done extremely well and in such an unexpected way for the time in the Malayalam industry, that I can just attribute the flaws to this being the debut of A. Vincent as a director after a successful career as a cinematographer in various south Indian languages.

It's funny that the choice for the white saree of the ghost in this movie was purely plot-driven (also to make it family-friendly as I heard the ghost was actually nude in the original short story, which even today wouldn't be an easy choice in Indian cinema) and this became a milestone and being the first horror in Malayalam cinema, inspired everything that came after, that whenever a Yakshi, is portrayed it is in white saree now. And even the sad song and the laugh that has just become tropes. And even the term Bhargavi Nilayam has become such a concrete term for the Malayalam psyche as the synonym for a haunted house.

It was also surprising to see that this was where Kuthiravattom Pappu got his name from the comic relief character he played in this movie. I remember him from all his roles from the 80s and 90s that I would've never thought I'd see him here, let alone know the origin of his stage name.

Madhu playing the writer gives off a charming vibrance even if the acting is a bit over the top. But Nazir's romantic artist in the second half is even more animated. The friendship between the ghost and the writer in the first half helps in the unravelling of the typical love story in the second half. And the songs, the movie couldn't go into a dull moment because one of the greatest albums of all time exists through this movie and even if nothing else, that alone makes this movie worth every praise in the world. M. S. Baburaj's music and P Bhaskaran's lyrics together have made magic that elevates the movie.

This movie is not without its faults but the positives of this movie come along with so much heart and charm and being such an iconic milestone in the industry for so many things, I can't help but love it despite all its faults.

I'm now more apprehensive about the new adaptation of Neelavelicham coming next month. Ashiq Abu is a good director, but not always. And using the same songs didn't feel as bad when the first two songs came out but Thamasamenthe's new version didn't feel right somehow. It's just too modern and not enough modern while changing everything visual about the original song. Still, I'd hope for the best from the new version.

I was looking for this movie for a long time since i heard the story about it.Atlast i got the movie and i have seen.Wow! i really enjoyed the whole movie.it is a story that explains true love.The story and dialog's of the movie is written by Vaikam Muhammad Basheer who was one of the greatest novelist in Malayalam.It tells the story of a girl named Bhargavi who was murdered without fulfilling her dreams.Meanwhile a person came to her house as tenant.His intention was to write novels, Then the spirit of Bhargavi comes and tries to make him write the true story of her that how she was murdered.At last the writer completed his novel and resolved the whole mystery behind her murder.

Bhargavi nilayam is classic movie directed by A. Vincent and written by the legend mohammed basheer. The movie is romantic, musical and also horror. Classic movie lovers should watch this movie

This is one of Vaikom Muhammad Basheer's most beautiful novel ever. It tells the story of a writer who comes to a village with the intention of writing a story. He rents a small house named bhargavi nilayam, which is the spookiest topic of the villagers. Unthinking of what he might encounter at the house, the writer starts living there. This is where he first comes in contact with the ghost of a girl called Bhargavi whose death is shrouded with mystery. The writer is then inspired by the events to write a story about the girl and solve the mystery of her death. The story mainly revolves around just 4 characters. Although made in the year 1964, the script, the cast, dialogues, direction has so much style, that it is undeniably worth all the rewards it has received.