Kaalapani

{{Other uses|Kalapani (disambiguation)}} {{for|the caste taboo|Kala pani (taboo)}} {{Use Indian English|date=December 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox film | image = Kaalapani poster.jpg | caption = Poster | director = Priyadarshan | producer = Mohanlal R. Mohan {{small|(co-producer)}} | screenplay = T. Damodaran Priyadarshan {{Infobox | decat = yes | child = yes | label1= Dialogues by | data1 = T. Damodaran }} | story = Priyadarshan | starring = Mohanlal Prabhu Tabu Amrish Puri | music = Ilaiyaraaja | cinematography = Santosh Sivan | editing = N. Gopalakrishnan | studio = Pranavam Arts Shogun Films {{small|(in association with)}} | distributor = Pranamam Pictures Shogun Films Amitabh Bachchan Corporation {{small|(Hindi)}} | released = {{Film date|df=yes|1996|4|6}} | runtime = 180 minutes | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = {{INR}}2.50 crore<ref name="Radhakrishnan1995">{{Cite magazine | url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19950615-kaala-paani-a-malayalam-film-banks-on-lavish-budget-freedom-movement-and-multilingual-cast-806763-1995-06-14 | url-status=live | archive-date=7 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200407173537/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/indiascope/story/19950615-kaala-paani-a-malayalam-film-banks-on-lavish-budget-freedom-movement-and-multilingual-cast-806763-1995-06-15 |title=An epic gamble | magazine=Indiascope | date=15 June 1995 | publisher=India Today Group | access-date=30 May 2015 | first=M. G.|last=Radhakrishnan}}</ref> }}

'''''Kaalapaani''''' ({{Translation|Black Water}}) is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language epic historical drama film written by T. Damodaran and directed by Priyadarshan. Set in 1915, the film focuses on the lives of Indian independence activists incarcerated in the Cellular Jail (or ''Kālāpānī'') in Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the British Raj. The ensemble cast includes Mohanlal, Prabhu, Tabu, Amrish Puri, Tinnu Anand, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Annu Kapoor, Alex Draper, Sankaradi, and Vineeth. The film was produced by Mohanlal for Pranavam Arts in association with R. Mohan's Shogun Films.

The film is about the lives of prisoners in British India who are brought to Kālā Pānī. The name ''Kalapani'' is derived from the mode of imprisonment in British India. Ilaiyaraaja composed the music, the cinematography was by Santosh Sivan, and the editing by N. Gopalakrishnan. The film introduced Dolby Stereo into Malayalam cinema. It was made on a budget of {{INR}}2.50 crore, making it the costliest Malayalam film made until then.<ref name="Radhakrishnan1995" />

''Kaalapaani'' was released on 6 April 1996 in 450 theaters worldwide, which was the largest release for any Indian film until then. The film is now regarded as one of the classics in Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{cite news |author=Rajpal |first=Roktim |date=14 August 2015 |title=Mohanlal's 'Kaalapani' to Mammootty's 'Pazhassi Raja': Southern films that reminisce about the battle for free India |work=IBN Live |location=New Delhi |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/mohanlals-kaalapani-to-mammoottys-pazhassi-raja-southern-films-that-reminisce-the-battle-for-free-india-1039423.html |url-status=dead |access-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816170901/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/mohanlals-kaalapani-to-mammoottys-pazhassi-raja-southern-films-that-reminisce-the-battle-for-free-india-1039423.html |archive-date=16 August 2015}}</ref> Originally made in Malayalam, the film was dubbed and released in Hindi as ''Saaza-E-Kaalapani'', Tamil as ''Siraichalai'', and in Telugu as ''Kaala Pani''. Amitabh Bachchan bought the Hindi dubbing rights, besides narrating the prologue for the Hindi version. The film won four National Film Awards, including the awards for Best Art Direction (Sabu Cyril), Best Special Effects (S. T. Venky), and Best Cinematography (Santosh Sivan). The film also won seven Kerala State Film Awards.

==Plot== In 1965, G. S. Sethu of the Indian Army goes to Ross Island, Kaalapaani - to find the whereabouts of his aunt Parvathi's husband Govardhan Menon, who has been sent to jail in 1916 during the period of British rule. In an old room containing record of prisoners held at the jail, Sethu comes across Govardhan's records and learns his story.

In 1915, Govardhan, a doctor and Indian nationalist, is wrongly accused of bombing a train carrying 55 people, including British officials. On his wedding day with Parvathi, he is deported to the cellular jail at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is called Kaalapaani by the prisoners living there. There, hundreds of Indian prisoners are incarcerated in the cellular jail, including leading participants of the independence movement.

David Berry is a sadistic jailor who is of Irish descent, while Len Hutton is a kindhearted English doctor. Savarkar is incarcerated and tries his best to keep the spirit of the prisoners going despite unbelievable torture.

The prisoners are often forced to perform harsh labour outside the jail, including quarrying and mining work where explosives are used to break rocks. During one such work assignment involving the transport of mining explosives, Mukundan, Govardhan's friend seizes an opportunity in creating a detonation to escape amid the confusion and flee from the guards, Govardhan chases Mukundan to stop his escape.

They manage to steal a small boat and drift across the sea, eventually reaching North Sentinel Island. Unaware of the dangers posed by the isolated island inhabited by the Sentinelese tribe, they struggle to survive there for a brief period while hiding from British patrols. When British forces begin searching the surrounding waters, Govardhan decides to surrender, believing that continued resistance would lead to their deaths and harsher reprisals against other prisoners. Mukundan resists the idea of surrender and attempts to evade capture, but eventually both are taken into custody by the British authorities and brought back to the cellular jail, where they are subjected to even harsher punishment for their escape attempt.

A meticulous plan to escape from jail is formed by 40 prisoners under the leadership of three people. However, Moosa aka Kanaran reports the matter to the British authorities. The court orders the three leaders to be hanged until death and the others to be punished in a minor fashion. However, as per the order of Mirza Khan, the other people are also shot to death.

Parvathi keeps waiting for Govardhan to come back. Due to Len's efforts, the government decides to investigate the matter of the torture meted out to the prisoners. Fourteen people are ordered to be released. One of them is Mukundan. David and the jail warden Mirza Khan hatch a plan to incite a prison riot and shoot down 13 prisoners while they are escaping. Mukundan refuses to escape and is taken on the pretext of meeting the Chief Commissioner, and is shot and killed. Seeing Mukundan's dead body, Govardhan throws down David from one of the towers and kills Mirza Khan by strangling him. Govardhan is hanged to death.

All this is shown in intermittent flashbacks. Sethu, after knowing Govardhan has already been hanged to death 45 years ago, decides to not tell the truth to his aunt as her wait of 50 years would have been in vain. The film ends with Sethu lying to her that he met Govardhan and talked to him about her, indicating she will never come to know about Govardhan's death and will keep waiting for him for the rest of her life.

==Cast== {{Cast listing| * Mohanlal as Dr. Govardhan Menon / Unni * Prabhu as Mukundan Iyengar, a Tamil revolutionary who wanted avenge British officer Barrington for killing locals. * Tabu as Parvathikutty, Dr.Govardhan's lover-turned wife * Amrish Puri as Mirza Khan, an Afghan jailer who is a companion of David Barrie * Tinnu Anand as Ram Lakhan, a Hindu prisoner who was tortured by force feeding non vegetarian food and human faeces * Vineeth as G. Sethu, Dr. Govardhan's nephew who is in the Indian Army * Alex Draper as Jailer David Barrie, a sadist and cruel jailer in Kalapani. * John Kolvenbach as Dr. Len Hutton, a kind-hearted doctor. * Annu Kapoor as Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, the leader of the prisoners who demanded better treatment and rights for the prisoners * Sankaradi as Kunju Muhammad Musaliar, an influential Muslim prisoner who advocated for Hindu-Muslim unity * Nedumudi Venu as Sreekandan Nair, Govardhan's maternal uncle, who was a local chieftain and a loyalist to the British Rule * Delhi Ganesh as Pandiyan, a prisoner who had done many nationalistic activities who attempted to escape from prison, he was later sentenced to death. * Sreenivasan as Moosa aka Kannaran, a prisoner and a spy of Mirza Khan who instigated communal riots in the prison * Cochin Haneefa as Ahmed Kutty, a kind hearted and patriotic guard in the jail * Maniyanpilla Raju as Nair, an official in the Andaman & Nicobar administration of independent India * Govind Menon as Parmanand, a prisoner * S. R. Veeraraghavan as Achyuthan, a prisoner * Sreenath as Satyasheelan, a Prisoner * Ajayan Adoor as a Prisoner * Suma Jayaram as Sreekandan Nair's daughter, who was jealous of Parvathi falling in love with Govardhan * Tom Alter as British Chief Commissioner of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Province * Kozhikode Narayanan Nair as Naanu Nair, Parvathi's father and Sreekandan Nair's assistant * Poojappura Ravi as Nampoothiri, who wanted to marry Parvathi * Antony Perumbavoor as Mukundan's friend and accomplice * Poornam Vishwanathan as Mukundan's father * Kanya Bharathi as Mukundan's sister }}

==Production== ===Development===

Director Priyadarshan co-wrote the screenplay with screenwriter, T. Damodaran. The basis for the story were existing accounts of life in cellular jail, particularly excerpts from biographies of political leaders of the Indian Independence Movement. Most of these excerpts covered the ruthless routine of prisoners in jail, under the command of Jailer David Barry, Major James Pattinson Walker and Petty officer Mirza Khan.<ref>{{cite web |author=Jaiswal |first=O.N |title=CELLULAR JAIL :WITNESS TO GORY SUFFERINGS OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS |url=http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0898/f1808987.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151030014651/http://pib.nic.in/feature/feyr98/fe0898/f1808987.html |archive-date=30 October 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015 |website=Press Information Bureau |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Yılmazzz |first=Gönderen |title=Cellular Jail Port Blair — Andaman and Nicobar Islands |url=http://2013ritemail2014.blogspot.in/2013/04/cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522042200/http://2013ritemail2014.blogspot.in/2013/04/cellular-jail-port-blair-andaman-and.html |archive-date=22 May 2015 |access-date=21 April 2015 |website=Ritemail |publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Survivors of our hell|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/jun/23/weekend.adrianlevy|newspaper=The Guardian|author=Cathy Scott-Clark, Adrian Levy|date=23 June 2001|access-date=12 December 2016|archive-date=5 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200205205218/https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2001/jun/23/weekend.adrianlevy|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Pre-production=== While the Pre-World War I ports were recreated on the Andaman Islands, several huge sets were built on a 1.5 acres space in Murugalaya Studio, Chennai to replicate the Cellular Jail. In Madras, the sets of Cellular Jail cost about Rs 12 lakh to build on 1.5 acres at the Murugalaya Studio. Apparently, director Priyadarshan was adamant and determined to be faithful to the details of the era. He said, "The Andamans had not seen a horse in 20 years. We had to carry four horses there at a cost of about Rs 3 lakh. When the filming was over, we presented them to the Andamans administration."<ref name="Radhakrishnan1995"/> Prior to the making of the film, Prabhu had injured his knee and during his recovery phase, put on considerable weight. To accommodate his physique into the script, Priyadarshan altered the character by depicting him as a constant eater.<ref>{{cite web |date=3 October 1997 |title=The Prabhu Chat |url=http://www.rediff.com/chat/0310chat.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000303233043/http://www.rediff.com/chat/0310chat.htm |archive-date=3 March 2000 |access-date=21 October 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}</ref>

===Filming===

The budget of the film, {{INRConvert|2.5|c|year=1996}}, was much larger than the average {{INR}}1 crore for a Malayalam film at the time.<ref name="Radhakrishnan1995"/> The shooting was completed in 72 days at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, several parts of Kerala and Chennai. Post production took more than four months to complete. Composer Ilaiyaraaja completed his symphonic score in 16 days; audiographer Deepan Chatterji completed the sound design and mix in 90 days. This is the first Malayalam film to recorded in Dolby Stereo.<ref name="Vanitha interview">{{cite magazine|title=ഈ സിനിമയെ ഞങ്ങൾ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നു|magazine=Vanitha|publisher=Malayala Manorama|date=1–14 September 2011|language=ml|first=Ranjith|last=Nair}}</ref>

The film is shot in the Malayalam language. However, numerous portions contain dialogues in Hindi, English, Tamil, Bengali, Telugu, and German.

==Soundtrack== {{Infobox album | name = Kaalapani | type = Soundtrack | artist = Ilaiyaraaja | cover = | alt = | released = {{Start date|df=yes|1996|3|5}} | recorded = 1995–1996 | venue = | studio = Prasad Studios | genre = Feature film soundtrack | length = {{Duration|m=27|s=08}} | label = Johny Sagariga (Malayalam) Music Master (Tamil) ABCL (Hindi) Sitara (Telugu) | producer = Ilaiyaraaja | prev_title = Thedi Vandha Raasa | prev_year = 1995 | next_title = Nammoora Mandara Hoove | next_year = 1996 }}

The music was composed and conducted by Ilaiyaraaja. K. S. Chithra was the only female singer in all the versions, while male singers kept changing from version to version.

;Track list

{{track listing | headline = Malayalam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | extra_column = Artist(s) | total_length = | all_lyrics = Gireesh Puthenchery, except where noted | title1 = Aattirambile Kombile | extra1 = M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 5:01 | title2 = Chempoove Poove | extra2 = M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | length2 = 4:59 | title3 = Kottum Kuzhal Vizhi | extra3 = M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra, Chorus | length3 = 5:43 | title4 = Marikkoodinullil | extra4 = K. S. Chithra, Ilaiyaraaja | length4 = 5:07 | title5 = Vande Mataram | extra5 = Choir | length5 = 6:06 | lyrics5 = Javed Akhtar }}

{{track listing | headline = Tamil (dubbed version) | extra_column = Artist(s) | total_length = | all_lyrics = Arivumathi | title1 = Alolam Kili Thopilae | extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 5:01 | title2 = Suttum Sudar Vizhi | extra2 = M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra, Chorus | length2 = 5:43 | title3 = Sempoove Poove | extra3 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | length3 = 4:59 | title4 = Mannan Koorai Chelai | extra4 = K. S. Chithra, Gangai Amaran | length4 = 5:07 | title5 = Ithu Thaai Pirandha | extra5 = Mano, Choir | length5 = 6:06 }}

{{track listing | headline = Hindi (dubbed version) | extra_column = Artist(s) | total_length = | all_lyrics = P. K. Mishra, except where noted | title1 = Zindagi Mein Tum Mile | extra1 = Hariharan, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 5:01 | title2 = Bachpan Ke Saathi Mere | extra2 = Hariharan, K. S. Chithra, Choir | length2 = 5:43 | title3 = Sandhya Ki Laali | extra3 = M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | length3 = 4:59 | title4 = Baaghon Ki Bahaarein | extra4 = K. S. Chithra, M. G. Sreekumar | length4 = 5:07 | title5 = Vande Mataram | extra5 = Mano, Choir | length5 = 6:06 | lyrics5 = Javed Akhtar }}

{{track listing | headline = Telugu (dubbed version) | extra_column = Artist(s) | total_length = | all_lyrics = | title1 = Chaamanthi Poove | extra1 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 4:59 | title2 = Kannekommana | extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra | length2 = 5:01 | title3 = Mojullona | extra3 = K. S. Chithra | length3 = 5:07 | title4 = Vande Mataram | extra4 = Mano, Choir | length4 = 6:06 | lyrics4 = Javed Akhtar | title5 = Yakshakanne | extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, K. S. Chithra, Choir | length5 = 5:43 }}

== Reception == On 31 May 1996, P. S. Joseph from ''India Today'' wrote, "This ambitious venture by a director known for his comedies in Malayalam, and some competent films in Bollywood like – ''Muskurahat'' (1992) ''and Gardish'' (1993)'','' does not carry the impact it ought to. Despite its flashes of brilliance and exceptional photography, and a Rs 3.10 crore budget – the largest ever for a Malayalam film – ''Kaalapaani'' does not linger in the memory after you leave the cinema hall." However, he praised Sabu Cyril's art direction calling it "exceptional" and Amrish Puri's performance writing, "The redeeming feature is Amrish Puri – the inimitable actor with a menacing voice and remarkable screen presence. He walks tall in the prison, epitomising the brutality and viciousness of the British Raj."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Joseph |first=P.S. |title=Film review: Kaalapaani, starring Mohanlal, Prabhu, Tabu |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19960531-film-review-kaalapaani-starring-mohanlal-prabhu-tabu-834614-1996-05-30 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230331211151/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-and-the-arts/films/story/19960531-film-review-kaalapaani-starring-mohanlal-prabhu-tabu-834614-1996-05-30 |archive-date=31 March 2023 |access-date=31 March 2023 |website=India Today |date=31 May 1996 |language=en}}</ref> ''Kalki'', reviewing the Tamil dubbed version ''Siraichalai'', praised the performance of Mohanlal but felt Prabhu was wasted while also criticising modern wardrobe choices for a periodic subject and concluded a film that should have reached international standards like ''Schindler's List'', in the course of the story, nationalism is beaten, Prabhu-Mohanlal friendship, division and tragedy hence revenge thus becoming ordinary fare.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=21 April 1996 |title=சிறைச்சாலை |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-04-21/page/22/mode/2up |access-date=16 May 2023 |magazine=Kalki |page=23 |language=Ta |via=Internet Archive}}</ref> D. S. Ramanujam of ''The Hindu'' reviewing Tamil version wrote "To make a film on pre-Independence days, particularly about the dark deeds of the British and their lackeys manning the notorious Andaman prison is a formidable task. It calls for meticulous planning to capture the mood of that period right from the costume, arms and ammunition, locations and other details. Director Priyadarshan can be really proud of the outcome in Kalaipuli International's ''Chiraichalai'' which is a rare movie exceptionally good in all departments of film production".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=D. S. |date=26 April 1996 |title=Cinema: Karuppu Roja/Chiraichalai/Sengottai/Raajali |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960427/03/2627a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961221011936/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960427/03/2627a.html |archive-date=21 December 1996 |access-date=12 July 2023 |work=The Hindu |pages=27 |language=en}}</ref> ==Accolades== ;National Film Awards 1995<ref>{{Cite web |title=43rd National Film Festival |url=https://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/74_43rdNfacatalogue.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404130411/http://dff.nic.in/images/Documents/74_43rdNfacatalogue.pdf |archive-date=4 April 2023 |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Directorate of Film Festivals |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 May 1996 |title=Kathapurushan adjudged best feature film |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960601/03/2609a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961220192827/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960601/03/2609a.html |archive-date=20 December 1996 |access-date=March 10, 2026 |work=The Hindu |pages=9 |language=en}}</ref> * Best Art Direction – Sabu Cyril * Best Cinematography – Santosh Sivan * Best Audiography – Deepan Chatterji * Best Special Effects – S. T. Venky

;Kerala State Film Awards<ref>{{Cite web |title=STATE FILM AWARDS |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234157/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards3.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 |access-date=10 March 2026 |website=Department of Information and Public Relations |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Vijiyan |first=K. N. |date=11 May 1996 |title=Film which crosses language barrier |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cMpOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YB8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476%2C278083 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260310065438/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cMpOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=YB8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=2476%2C278083 |archive-date=10 March 2026 |access-date=10 March 2026 |work=New Straits Times |language=en |via=Google News Archive}}</ref> * Second Best Film  – Mohanlal (producer), R. Mohan (co-producer) * Best Actor – Mohanlal * Best Cinematography – Santosh Sivan * Best Art Director  – Sabu Cyril * Best Music Director  – Ilaiyaraaja * Best Processing Lab – Gemini Colour Lab * Best Costume Designer – Sajin Raghavan

==References== {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{IMDb title}}

Category:1990s historical drama films Category:1990s prison films Category:1996 films Category:1996 Indian films Category:1996 Malayalam-language films Category:Films directed by Priyadarshan Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja Category:Films set in 1916 Category:Films set in 1965 Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award Category:Films set in Kerala Category:Films set in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Category:Films set in the British Raj Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement Category:Films shot in Ottapalam Category:Films shot in Palakkad Category:Films with screenplays by T. Damodaran Category:Fiction about prison escapes Category:Films shot in Thrissur Category:Films that won the Best Audiography National Film Award Category:Pranavam Arts International films Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award Category:Indian epic films Category:Indian prison films Category:Films whose cinematographer won the Best Cinematography National Film Award Category:Indian historical drama films Category:Vinayak Damodar Savarkar