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| Yathra | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Balu Mahendra |
| Screenplay by | Balu Mahendra |
| Story by | John Paul |
| Based on | The Yellow Handkerchief |
| Produced by | Joseph Abraham |
| Starring | Mammootty Shobana |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
| Edited by | D. Vasu |
| Music by | Ilaiyaraaja |
Production company | Prakkattu Films |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Box office | ₹19 million |
Yathra (transl. The Journey) is a 1985 IndianMalayalam-languageromantic drama film written and directed byBalu Mahendra. The film starsMammootty andShobana, whileAdoor Bhasi,Thilakan andAlummoodan play supporting roles. The film tells a fictional story but is built upon the human rights violations by the police and the prison authorities in India duringthe emergency of 1975–1977, when the fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended. It is an adaptation of the 1977 Japanese classicThe Yellow Handkerchief.[1][2][3][4]
The film was produced by Joseph Abraham under the banner Prakkattu Films. The film was his third production venture, the others beingOlangal andOomakkuyil. The film features original songs composed byIlaiyaraaja, with lyrics written byP. Bhaskaran andO. N. V. Kurup. The cinematography of the film was done by Balu Mahendra himself, while the editing was done by D. Vasu.[5]
Yathra was released on 20 September 1985 and received critical acclaim. It was a box office success and had a theatrical run of over a year. The film won threeKerala State Film Awards:Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value,Best Director for Balu Mahendra and theSpecial Jury Award for Mammootty. Shobana was nominated forBest Actress category at theFilmfare Awards South. Thilakan also won theKerala Film Critics Association Award for Second Best Actor. The film was remade by Balu Mahendra inTelugu asNireekshana (1986) and inTamil asAdhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005).[3][5][6]
The story unfolds as Unnikrishnan, a convict, now free from jail, tells his tragic love story to his fellow passengers in a school bus. An orphan and a forest officer by profession, he falls in love with a local woman, Thulasi, during his stay at a forest area. They decided to get married, and he sets off to tell his best friend about his plans. On his way back, the police arrest him as a suspected criminal, who looks similar to Unnikrishnan. There he accidentally kills a policeman and gets life imprisonment. During his early days at jail, he writes a letter to Thulasi asking her to forget him. When his prison term was about to complete, he writes a letter to see if she waits for him. After long years of torment in the jail he goes to meet Thulasi. Does she still wait for him? That's the question of his fellow passengers, too. At the end, she does wait for him, and welcomes him with lamps, and a face, wet with tears of joy, and sadness, together. Thus, the film ends off happily, with everyone shedding tears of joy.
The film was released on 20 September 1985. According to a trade analysis by Sreedhar Pillai forIndia Today, the film grossed around 0.19 crores from the releasing centers, becoming the highest grossing Malayalam film of the year.[7][8]Yathra completed a 120-day run in theatres.[9] The film ran for more than 50 days in a center inCoimbatore.[10] Shobha Warrier ofRediff while reviewingAthu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005) wrote, "Those who have not seen the original may find the film poignant and interesting but as a person who has seen the original with two great artistes at their best, I found the film extremely disappointing." Further writing, "There is absolutely no comparison between Mammootty and Dhanush, or Shobhana and Priya Mani. To be fair to the young heroine, Priya Mani looks innocent and vulnerable but when you have seen the same role performed with more finesse and maturity, you cannot help but feel disappointed."[11]
| Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala State Film Awards | Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value | Balu Mahendra, Joseph Abraham | Won | [12] |
| Best Director | Balu Mahendra | Won | ||
| Special Jury Award | Mammootty | Won | ||
| Filmfare Awards South | Best Actress | Shobana | Nominated | [13] |
The music was composed byIlaiyaraaja. The song "Thanannam Thannanam" is inspired byMy Favorite Things from the 1959Rodgers and Hammerstein musicalThe Sound of Music.[14]
| Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Kunnathoru Kaavundu" (resung song fromAsuravithu) | Cochin Alex | P. Bhaskaran | |
| "Thannannam Thaanannam" | K. J. Yesudas,Ambili, Chorus, Antony, Anna Sangeetha | O. N. V. Kurup | |
| "Yamune Ninnude" | S. Janaki, Chorus | O. N. V. Kurup |