Manichitrathazhu
A psychological horror film exploring dissociative identity disorder through folklore.
Manichitrathazhu (transl. The Ornate Lock) is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language epic psychological horror film directed by Fazil, written by Madhu Muttam and produced by Swargachitra Appachan. The film stars Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi, and Shobana, and features Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Vinaya Prasad, K. P. A. C. Lalitha, Sridhar, K.B. Ganesh Kumar, and Sudheesh. It was Mohanlal's 200th film and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, with Shobana winning the National Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ganga / Nagavalli.
- Release Year
- 1993
- Language
- Malayalam
- Director
- Fazil
- Writer
- Madhu Muttam
- Producer
- Swargachitra Appachan
- Lead Actress
- Shobana
- National Film Awards
- Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment; Best Actress (Shobana)
Quick Facts
- Director
- Fazil
- Producer
- Swargachitra Appachan
- Writer
- Madhu Muttam
- Starring
- Mohanlal / Suresh Gopi / Shobana
- Music
- Songs: / M.G. Radhakrishnan / Background Score: / Johnson / Lyrics: / Bichu Thirumala
- Cinematography
- Venu / Anandakuttan / Sunny Joseph
- Editing
- T. R. Shekar
- Studio
- Swargachitra Films
- Distributor
- Swargachitra Release
- Released
- df=yes · 1993 · 12 · 25
- Runtime
- 157 minutes
- Country
- India
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Nakulan and his wife Ganga, who visit his ancestral mansion despite warnings it is haunted. After Ganga unlocks a forbidden southern wing, the Thekkini, strange events occur. The family suspects possession by the spirit of Nagavalli, a dancer murdered 150 years earlier by the patriarch Karanavar. Dr. Sunny Joseph, a psychiatrist, is called in and ultimately diagnoses Ganga with Dissociative Identity Disorder, her alter-ego embodying Nagavalli. The climax integrates traditional exorcism with psychiatric therapy to resolve the trauma.
Reader's Guide
Manichitrathazhu is considered one of the best films in Malayalam cinema and a landmark psychological thriller in Indian cinema. It developed a cult following and was listed among the '70 Iconic Films of Indian Cinema' by Mint in 2017. The film was remade in four languages: Kannada as Apthamitra (2004), Tamil as Chandramukhi (2005), Bengali as Rajmohol (2005), and Hindi as Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007), all commercially successful. A spin-off, Geethaanjali, was made in 2013 with Mohanlal reprising his role. The film's theme, following Swapnadanam, was unusual for Indian cinema at the time. A digitally remastered 4K Dolby Atmos version was released in theatres on 17 August 2024.
Did You Know?
- Shobana won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her dual role as Ganga and Nagavalli.
- The film was Mohanlal's 200th film.
- The haunted Thekkini room was created inside the Vasan House in Chennai, the house of late S. S. Vasan.
- Madhu Muttam filed a copyright suit against Fazil when Fazil was listed as writer of the original script in remakes.
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