Malayalam Movie Review- Yoddha : The Warrior(1992)

‘Kalangiyilla’

“Ambattan’

‘Akasotto’

‘Kuttimama njan njetti mama!’

All of these will stir up laughter in all those who have watched the super-hit action fantasy movie Yoddha directed by Sangeeth Sivan. Written by Sasidharan Arattuvazhi, the story is based on the English movie ‘The Golden Child’(1986) starring Eddie Murphy. I once happened to watch this movie and immediately noticed the similarities. This movie, however, has a lot more supernatural elements than Yoddha. And of course there is no Mohanlal and Jagathy!

I remember that Yoddha came out at the same time as the Mammootty starrer ‘Pappayude Swantham Appoos’. A Mammooty and Mohanlal showdown during the Onam season! (Wikipedia tells me that the release dates were 3rd September and 4th September 1992, respectively). In school our class was divided into two groups: Mammootty and Mohanlal supporters. You can imagine which group I supported!  Anyways both movies were superhits and will be remembered by Malayalis in their own rights.

The story revolves around the comic squabble between Ashokan (Mohanlal) & Appukuttan (Jagathy) in a small village in Kerala and the much more serious clash between a Buddhist monastery and a cult of evil sorcerers led by Vishaka (Puneet Issar) in Nepal. Puneet Issar, playing the evil Vishaka, was by then a recognizable face in every household as he had played Duryodhana in the TV series ’Mahabharatha’(remember?).  He was well-suited for the character with his commanding voice, evil growls, laughs and stares.

Vishaka abducts the young boy who was to be crowned Rimpoche (Siddharth Lama) of the monastery in order to sacrifice him and attaining invincibility. The monks await the arrival of the saviour who will come from across the mountains and rescue Rimpoche.

Meanwhile the person in question, Ashokan, is having a great time getting on the nerves of his cousin Appukuttan. He defeats Appukuttan in all the games conducted by the village sports club and proves himself to be superior and thereby showing- off in front of Appukuttan’s fiancée, Damayanthi (Urvashi). Or so Appukuttan thinks. This fires him up and plants in him a deep-rooted rivalry. And he even tries to beat Ashokan up by hiring some goons.

Anyway a palm reader predicts that Ashokan will fall into trouble if he stays in Kerala any longer and even commit murder. Scared, the family insists upon him going to Nepal where his Uncle Captain Kuttikrishna Menon and his family live. Thus starts the fulfilment of the prophecy by the monks...

I wouldn’t want to spoil the story for those who haven’t watched this movie yet. It is a total family entertainer and there isn’t a single boring moment. The background score and music by A.R. Rahman have played a great role in setting the mood of the film. The song ‘Padakaali’ which is a very hilarious musical banter between Ashokan and Appukuttan has been popular ever since its release. In all, Yoddha is a must-watch movie and not to be missed.

Watch this movie here:


Direction: Sangeeth Sivan
Screenplay : Sasidharan Arattuvazhi
Produced by Saga Films
Starring: Mohanlal, Jagathy Sreekumar, Siddharth Lama, Puneet Issar, Madhoo, Urvashi
Cinematography: Santosh Sivan
Editing: A. Sreekar Prasad
Music: A. R. Rahman

 

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