Historical dramas in Mollywood

Malayalam cinema initially had a lot of historical dramas based on myths and true legends. The trend is now returning to the industry with projects like ‘Kunjali Marakar’, ‘Kaaliyan’, ‘Kayamkulam Kochunni’ and others. As demanding it is to recreate the era gone by, historical dramas always need a big budget, huge star cast and a lot of post-production work as well. However, Malayalam cinemas have always been up to the task and have produced some really noteworthy epics in this genre. Let's take a look at some of the best ones...

Still among the big-budget movies ever made in Malayalam, ‘Urumi’ directed by Santhosh Sivan is an epic drama loosely based on Vasco Da Gama's invasion of Malabar Coast. A storyline that connects present with past, the movie is rich for its cinematography and camera work. Prithviraj plays the lead character of Kelu in the movie who is seeking to avenge his father's death. Kelu with his friend Vavvali, played by Prabhudheva plots to capture Vasco Da Gama who killed Kelu's father. Other than Prithvi and Prabhudheva, the movie had a glittering cast including Arya, Jagathy Sreekumar, Nithya Menon, Genelia D'zousa, Vidya Balan and Tabu. This big budget movie was a landmark in Mollywood for its grandeur making.

One of the most invested movies ever made in Malayalam, ‘Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja’, directed by Hariharan and scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair, this historical drama is a landmark movie in Mollywood. With Mammootty in the lead, the movie has a long list of highly rated actors including Tamil actor Sharath Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, Kanika, Padmapriya, Thilakan, Jagathy, Nedumudi Venu and lot more. With an estimated production cost of Rs 27 crore, ‘Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja’ was the costliest Malayalam movie ever made then. The movie narrates the story of Kerala Varma, Raja of Pazhasi's valiant fight against the mighty East India Company. The movie was a huge success and won several awards.

An evergreen historical drama that will never fade out from the memories of Kerala movie lovers, ‘Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha’ remains as the best ever historical drama made in Mollywood. Directed by Hariharan and scripted by Mt Vasudevan Nair, this epic movie was released in 1989. Mammootty who played the lead role of Chandu Chekavar had a brilliant cast around him including Suresh Gopi, Balan K Nair, Madhavi, Geetha, Captain Raju etc. The movie tells the story of Malabar warriors known as Chekavars. Mammootty's character Chandu is still the greatest tragic hero made in Mollywood. The movie has won four National Awards in 1989 including Best Actor and Best Screenplay Award.

An adaptation of William Shakespeare’s play ‘Macbeth’, ‘Veeram’ directed by Jayaraj is regarded as one of the finest cinematographic work in Mollywood. The movie replants Macbeth's story into the surroundings of Northern Ballads and tells the story of Chandu Chekavar, who apparently betrays his King. Bollywood actor Kunal Kapoor plays the lead role of Chandu Chekavar while many theatre artists and newcomers selected through audition got an opportunity in this film. The film was shot in Kerala, Agra and Aurangabad and is released in Hindi, English and Malayalam. ‘Veeram’ is the most expensive Malayalam movie ever made to date with a budget of Rs 35 crore. The movie, however, tanked at the box-office.

Released in 2012, ‘Karmayogi’ directed by VK Prakash is a movie adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. Actor Indrajith plays the protagonist in the movie, that of Rudran Gurukkal- the lone male descendant of Chathothu family. Nithya Menon, Padmini Kolhapure and Saiju Kurup play important characters in the movie. Due to lack of marketing and distribution hurdles, the movie didn't do well at the box-office but got featured in International Film Festival of India in Goa.