Rakshasa Rajavu (transl. Demon king) is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language action crime thriller film written and directed by Vinayan and starring Mammootty in the lead role along with Dileep, Meena, Kalabhavan Mani, Kavya Madhavan, Vijayakumar, Rajan P. Dev, Cochin Haneefa, and Sukumari.[1][2] The film was released on 31 August 2001 and was subsequently dubbed in Telugu and Tamil as Commissioner Rudrama Naidu and Commissioner Eeswara Paandiyan.[3][4]
| Rakshasa Rajavu | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Directed by | Vinayan |
| Written by | Vinayan |
| Produced by | Sargam Kabeer |
| Starring | Mammootty Dileep Meena Kalabhavan Mani |
| Cinematography | Sanjeev Shankar |
| Edited by | G. Murali |
| Music by |
|
| Distributed by | Sargam Films |
Release date |
|
Running time | 165 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Plot
editRamanathan is a city police commissioner with a difference. The murder of his wife makes him take the law into his own hands as he gets no support from the various people he meets in this regard. He is always assisted by his subordinate SP Gopakumar who admires Ramanathan for his honest and truthful behavior. He brings to justice the wrongdoers even though he accepts bribes. He follows the policy of Kayamkulam Kochunni a renowned real-life robber: taking from the rich and giving it to the poor. He also funds to run an orphanage for mentally disabled children.[5]
Appu is in love with Daisy, the daughter of Attuva Antony, a wealthy and rich politician. Daisy is under house arrest when her relationship comes to the knowledge of her father. Appu manages to meet her secretly. One day, Daisy's whole family is murdered as a result of a burglary. But she survives and becomes in coma. Appu is accused of the murder and arrested. The rest of the story explains how Ramanathan saves Appu by proving his innocence and reveals the person who killed all of Daisy's family members for money & power.
Cast
edit- Mammootty as City Police Commissioner T.Ramanathan IPS
- Dileep as Appu
- Kalabhavan Mani as Excise / Education Minister Gunasekharan, first antagonist
- Meena as Meera, Chief Minister's daughter and Ramanathan's Love Interest
- Kavya Madhavan as Daisy Antony, Appu's Love Interest
- Vijayakumar as SP Gopakumar IPS
- Rajan P. Dev as Finance Minister Attuva Avarachan
- Sai Kumar as ADGP Gomas Alexander IPS, third antagonist
- Suresh Krishna as Mohammed Ibrahim (Voiceover by Sai Kumar), second antagonist
- Captain Raju as DGP S. S. Pillai IPS, State Police Chief
- Janardhanan as Chief Minister, Meera's Father
- Harisree Ashokan as Constable Pathrose
- Cochin Haneefa as Attuva Antony / Antonichan, Daisy's Father
- Indrans as Kochukuttan, Appu's Friend
- Sukumari as Kashi Muthashi, Appu's Grandmother
- Manya as Malathi
- Sadiq as CI Rajan
- Spadikam George as DYSP Siddharthan
- Shivaji as Doctor Issac
- Machan Varghese as Poulose, Avarachan's PA
- T. P. Madhavan as Ponnachan's Brother
- Joemon Joshy as Thommikunju Antony, Daisy's Younger Brother
- Manka Mahesh as Mary Antony, Daisy's Mother
- Suchithra Murali as Ramanathan's Wife (Cameo)
- Priyanka Anoop as Kalyani, Antony's House Servant
- Devi Chandana as Doctor Maya, Meera's Friend
- Meenakshi Sunil as Annie Antony, Daisy's Elder Sister
- Baburaj as Goonda
- Narayanankutty as Sub Inspector of Police
- Ambika Mohan as C. A. Sebastian's Wife
- Deepika Mohan as Party Member
Release
editThe film was released on 31 August 2001. It was the second release of director Vinayan after Karumadikkuttan which was released in April 2001.
Box office
editThe film was a megahit and ran for over 100 days in theatres.[6][7][8]
Soundtrack
editAll lyrics are written by S. Ramesan Nair; all music is composed by Mohan Sithara
| No. | Title | Artist(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Ethal Mizhikal" | Sreeram, Smitha | |
| 2. | "Indhumathi" | Smitha | |
| 3. | "Kannare Kannare" | K. S. Chithra, M. G. Sreekumar | |
| 4. | "Marikkattu Veessi Veessi" | Aneesh | |
| 5. | "Palinu Madhuram" | K. J. Yesudas | |
| 6. | "Sarathkala Mukile" | M. G. Sreekumar | |
| 7. | "Swapanam Theyajichal" | K. J. Yesudas | |
| 8. | "Swapanam Theyajichal" | K. S. Chithra, K. J. Yesudas, Aswathy Vijayan |
References
edit- ^ "Rakshasa Rajavu". Sify. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022.
- ^ https://www.webindia123.com/movie/regional/rakshasa/index.htm [bare URL]
- ^ Gudipoodi Srihari. "Story of a good cop". The Hindu.
- ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: Commissioner Eeswar Pandiyan Tamil Full Movie HD | Mammootty | Meena | Kavya Madhavan | ThamizhPadam. YouTube.
- ^ Rakshasa Rajavu Preview, Rakshasa Rajavu Story & Synopsis, Rakshasa Rajavu Malayalam Movie - entertainment.oneindia.in Archived 7 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Flashback Friday: Filmmaker Vinayan reminisces working with Mammootty for 'Rakshasa Rajavu'". The Times of India. 15 May 2020.
- ^ "Mammootty has ego issues: Director Vinayan". The New Indian Express. 26 September 2010.
- ^ "Raghuvinte Swantham Rasiya will release this Friday". Rediff.com. 19 May 2011.