Chattakari

Chattakari
Directed by	K. S. Sethumadhavan
Produced by	M. O. Joseph
Screenplay by	Thoppil Bhasi
Story by	Pamman
Starring	Laxmi Mohan Adoor Bhasi Sukumari
Cinematography	Balu Mahendra
Studio	Manjilas
Release date(s)	1974
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Chattakari (1974) is a Malayalam film written by Thoppil Bhasi based on Pamman's famous novel of the same name, and directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. It is a love story of an Anglo-Indian girl (Laxmi) and a Hindu boy (Mohan) who consummate the relationship. She has a child out-of-wedlock in secret.

It was the first Malayalam film of Laxmi and also the start of her romance with co-star Mohan. It bagged the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for Adoor Bhasi who played Laxmi's alcoholic father, and the Filmfare Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam. Storywriter Pamman received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Story. It has the distinction of being the first Malayalam film to run continuously for 40 weeks in a Bangalore theatre.

Plot

Julie is the eldest daughter of Morris, an Anglo-Indian engine-driver. Usha her close friend is from an orthodox Hindu Warrier 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 here mother's aunt lives. There she gives birth to a boy.

Julie's mother who feels that England is their true motherland decided to migrate to the United 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 has no hesitations in accepting Julie as their daughter-in-law and encourages the rest of the Morris family to stay back in India.

Production

Writing and casting

Pamman's story was published in Jay Keralam a weekly published in Chennai. Producer M. O. Joseph bought the rights. He signed director K. S. Sethumadhavan, cinematographer Balu Mahendra and scriptwriter Thoppil Bhasi for the film. The director suggested Laxmi as heroine and Mohan who had acted in P. N. Menon's art film as hero. Sukumari was Laxmi's mother in the film. Laxmi 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.

Filming

The film was shot at Shornur Junction a famous railway Junction in the Southern Railway especially during the steam era. Shornur had one of the largest steam locomotive workshops.

Remakes

The Hindi remake became very famous in 1975. Laxmi repeated her role by playing the title role in Julie (1975). She received the Filmfare Best Actress Award. The music composed by Rajesh Roshan won him Filmfare Best Music Director Award award, and his songs "Dil Kya Kare" and "My heart is beating" are still evergreen hits. Nadira won Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for playing Julie's mother. Future superstar Sridevi played Julie's younger sister.

Laxmi also starred in the Telugu remake titled Miss Julie Prema Katha (1975).

The Kannada remake titled Julie (2006) had Ramya in the title role of Julie and Dino Morea as her lover, but the film didn't do well.

References

External links

• Chattakari at the Internet Movie Database