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| Chattakkari | |
|---|---|
 VCD cover | |
| Directed by | K. S. Sethumadhavan |
| Screenplay by | Thoppil Bhasi |
| Story by | Pamman |
| Produced by | M. O. Joseph |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Balu Mahendra |
| Edited by | MS Mani[1] |
| Music by | G. Devarajan |
Production company | Manjilas |
| Distributed by | Central Pictures[2] |
Release date |
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Chattakkari (transl. Anglo Indian Girl) is a 1974 IndianMalayalam-language film directed byK. S. Sethumadhavan and produced by M. O. Joseph, starringLakshmi (in her majorMalayalam debut),Mohan Sharma,Adoor Bhasi andSukumari. The film was written byThoppil Bhasi based onPamman's famous novel of the same name.
It was the first Malayalam film ofLakshmi and also the start of her romance with co-starMohan Sharma. It won theKerala State Film Award for Best Actress andFilmfare Award for Best Actress – Malayalam forLakshmi. The film wonKerala State Film Award for Best Actor forAdoor Bhasi who played Laxmi's alcoholic father, and theFilmfare Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.[3] StorywriterPamman received theKerala State Film Award for Best Story. It has the distinction of being the first Malayalam film to run continuously for 40 weeks in aBangalore theatre. All Songs composed by well known music directorG. Devarajan were instant hits.
In 2012, it was remade in thesame name, directed by Santosh Sethumadhavan and produced by Suresh Kumar under the banner of Revathy Kalamandir and starringShamna Kasim in the title roles.
Chattakkari is the love story of anAnglo-Indian girl (Lakshmi) and a Hindu boy (Mohan Sharma) who consummate the relationship. She has a child out-of-wedlock in secret.
Julie is the eldest daughter of Morris, an Anglo-Indian engine-driver. Usha her close friend is from an orthodoxHinduWarrier family. At Usha's residence she (Julie) meets her brother Sasi who is studying at a different place. Julie soon falls in love with Sasi, and even Usha is aware of it. The relationship gets more cozy and Julie gets pregnant. Her alcoholic father Morris soon dies. Julie is taken to a remote place where her mother's aunt lives. There she gives birth to a boy.
Julie's mother who feels thatEngland is their true motherland decided to migrate to theUnited Kingdom. Soon Julie confesses about every thing to Usha. She also meets Sasi who is now ready to accept her. But Sasi's orthodox mother rejects her outright. Sasi's father Mr. Warrier questions him, and Sasi confesses about his role in ruining Julie's life.
Mr. Warrier then helps Julie's family in packing up and invites them to his home for a small farewell. Here he introduces his wife and also his daughter Usha. Usha comes out with a small baby in her arms, and Julie recognizes it as her kid. Mr. Warrier then says that he and his family have no hesitations in accepting Julie as their daughter-in-law and encourages the rest of the Morris family to stay back in India.
The music was composed byG. Devarajan and the lyrics were written byVayalar Ramavarma andUsha Uthup.
| No. | Song | Singers | Lyrics | Length (m:ss) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Julie I Love You" | K. J. Yesudas,P. Madhuri | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 2 | "Love is Just Around" | Usha Uthup | Usha Uthup | |
| 3 | "Mandasameeranil" | K. J. Yesudas | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 4 | "Naarayanaaya Nama" | P. Leela | Vayalar Ramavarma | |
| 5 | "Yuvaakkale Yuvathikale" | P. Madhuri | Vayalar Ramavarma |
Pamman's story was published inJay Keralam a weekly published in Chennai. Producer M. O. Joseph bought the rights. He signed directorK. S. Sethumadhavan, cinematographerBalu Mahendra and scriptwriterThoppil Bhasi for the film. The director suggestedLakshmi as heroine and Mohan who had acted inP. N. Menon's art film as hero.Sukumari was Lakshmi's mother in the film.Lakshmi played an Anglo Indian girl who wore short skirts throughout the film, which made her a sex symbol as well. The sensuous songs and the youthful pair set the box office on fire.
The film's ending is different from that of the book. In the book the Hindu boy deserts his Anglo Indian girlfriend who is pregnant and never comes back but in the films, he comes back to accept her. Rahim, an admirer of Julie whom she had rejected, tries to influence her father by giving him booze and due to this the old man vomits blood and dies. In the film, Rahim has no role in the death of the old man.
The film was shot atShornur Junction, a famous railway Junction in the Southern Railway especially during the steam era. Shornur had one of the largest steam locomotive workshops.
The Hindi remake became very famous in 1975.Lakshmi repeated her role by playing the title role inJulie (1975). She received theFilmfare Best Actress Award. The music composed byRajesh Roshan won him theFilmfare Best Music Director Award, and his songs "Dil Kya Kare" and "My heart is beating" are still evergreen hits.Nadira won theFilmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for playing Julie's mother. Future superstarSridevi played Julie's younger sister.
Tamil remake titledOh Maane Maane (1984) hadUrvasi playing the lead role andMohan as her lover.
Lakshmi also starred in theTelugu remake titledMiss Julie Prema Katha (1975).
TheKannada remake titledJulie (2006) hadRamya in the title role of Julie andDino Morea as her lover.
The movie was remade inMalayalam with thesame name in 2012. The remake was directed by Santhosh Sethumadhavan, son ofK. S. Sethumadhavan who directed the original version. The remake was produced by Suresh Kumar under Revathy Kalamadhir banner. It was shot in a timespan of 25 days, setting a new record in Malayalam cinema.[4] It was released in September 2012.