Panchavadi Palam (transl. Panchavadi bridge) is a 1984 Indian Malayalam-language political satire film written and directed by K. G. George, based on the story Palam Apakadathil (1981) written by Veloor Krishnankutty. It stars Bharat Gopy, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sukumari, and Thilakan in the main roles.[1] The film tries to caricature the political scenario in the state of Kerala and portrays the pitiful corruption by politicians. It is the first Malayalam movie in this genre.
| Panchavadi Palam | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | K. G. George |
| Written by | K. G. George, Yesudasan (dialogue) |
| Based on | Palam Apakadathil by Veloor Krishnankutty |
| Produced by | Gandhimati Balan |
| Starring | Bharath Gopi Nedumudi Venu Sukumari |
| Cinematography | Shaji N Karun |
| Edited by | M. N. Appu |
| Music by | M. B. Sreenivasan |
Release date |
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Running time | 140 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
A henpecked politician wants his name attached to a new bridge, even if that means destroying another perfectly serviceable bridge. The politician Dussasana Kuruppu is the president of the village. He, along with the other members, tries to demolish the bridge on the advice of his fellow party member, Sikhandi Pillai who is his right hand with crooked mind. The opposition leader Ishak Tharakan makes moves to thwart this and capture the position of the village presidency. As a compromise, both groups agree to relocate the bridge to a distant location, so that not only a new bridge but also a new road will be needed to reach the bridge.
The two tenders, one for a bridge and one for a road, are given to two local contractors. One of the contractors belongs to the ruling party while the other one is supported by the opposition. Ultimately, the bridge is built and opened to the public on the same day of the marriage of Dussasana Kurup's daughter and the bridge contractor. The marriage function is attended by many, including the minister of state for the public works department. Everyone who came for the wedding walks across the bridge, causing it to collapse and killing the crippled Kathavarayan. The film ends by showing the broken bridge in the background.
Cast
- Bharath Gopi as Dushasana Kuruppu[2]
- Nedumudi Venu as Sikhandi Pillai[2]
- Sreevidya as Mandodhari[2]
- Thilakan as Ishak Tharakan[2]
- Sukumari as Rahel[2]
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Habel[2]
- Venu Nagavalli as Jeemuthavahanan
- Sreenivasan as Kathavarayan
- Kalpana as Anarkali
- K. P. Ummer as Jahangir Thatha[2]
- Alummodan as Yudaskunju
- Innocent as Barabas
- V. D. Rajappan as Avarachan Swami
- Shubha as Poothana
- Mohan Jose as Opposition Party Member
- G.V. Anickaden as Opposition Party Member
- N. L. Balakrishnan as Bus Passenger[2]
Soundtrack
The music was composed by M. B. Sreenivasan with lyrics by Chowalloor Krishnankutty.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Naanayam Kandal" | K. P. Brahmanandan, C. O. Anto | Chowalloor Krishnankutty | |
| 2 | "Viplavaveeryam" | Chorus, C. O. Anto | Chowalloor Krishnankutty |
Reception and in popular culture
The movie is considered one of the best-ever political satires in the history of the Malayalam film industry.[3] It was also one of the first of its kind of movie in Mollywood.[4] The Palarivattom Flyover Scam has close comparisons with Panchavadi Palam in Kerala's public sphere.[5] The Kerala High Court later compared this incident with Panchavadi Palam.[6]
