{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Maanthrikam | image = Maanthrikam film poster.jpg | caption = | director = Thampi Kannanthanam | producer = Thampi Kannanthanam | writer = Babu Pallassery | starring = Mohanlal<br/>Raghuvaran<br>Jagadish<br/>Priya Raman<br />Hemanth Ravan | narrator = | music = S. P. Venkatesh | cinematography = Saloo George | editing = A. Sreekar Prasad | studio = Juliya Productions | distributor = Juliya Pictures Release | released = {{Film date|df=yes|1995|9|5}} | runtime = | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = {{INR}}3 crores<ref name='budget' /><ref name='location' /> | gross = <!--Must be attributed to a reliable published source with an established reputation for fact-checking. No blogs, no IMDb.--> }}
'''''Maanthrikam''''' ({{Translation|Magical}}) is a 1995 Indian Malayalam-language action comedy film produced and directed by Thampi Kannanthanam and written by Babu Pallassery. It stars Mohanlal, Jagadish, Raghuvaran, Priya Raman, Hemanth Ravan and Rajan P. Dev. Filmed by Saloo George and edited by A. Sreekar Prasad; S. P. Venkatesh provided the music. The film was dubbed in Tamil as ''Raanuvam'' and in Telugu as ''Army Commander''. It marked the Malayalam debut of actress Vineetha.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Sebastian |first=Shevlin |date=3 October 2018 |title=A filmmaker with a clarity of vision, says Jagadish about Thampi Kannanthanam |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/oct/03/a-filmmaker-with-a-clarity-of-vision-says-jagadish-about-thampi-kannanthanam-1880281.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127164327/https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2018/oct/03/a-filmmaker-with-a-clarity-of-vision-says-jagadish-about-thampi-kannanthanam-1880281.html |archive-date=27 November 2019 |access-date=29 January 2021 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>
== Plot == {{More plot|date=September 2024}} A Senior Scientist of Missile Technology designs a state of the art missile "Samhaara"and he is abducted by a terrorist group with family. A military officer and his assistant are entrusted with the mission to rescue the scientist. They join a gypsy performing art group in disguise and reach a fictitious town and a girl get attracted to the officer. He get involved with the sister of the assistant of terrorist group leader to execute the mission. In a twist it is revealed that the main girl dancer of the gypsy group is an officer appointed by military chief to track officer, who is suspected of double crossing. Finally every thing get resolved and the scientist is rescued unhurt with safety of Samhaara know-how and the hero takes his lady love with him. Mohanlal simply excels as a comedian, lover, military officer, magician and dancer with 3 heroines.
== Cast == * Mohanlal as Alby / Maj. Stephen Ronald, Indian Military Intelligence * Jagadish as Jobi D'Costa / Subedar Teddy Lopez, Indian Military Intelligence * Raghuvaran as Dr. Abdul Rahiman, scientist in ISRO * Priya Raman as Betty Fernadez * Vineetha as Menaka/Lt. Diana, Indian Military Intelligence * Vaishnavi as Shakeela Abdul Rahman * Hemanth Ravan as Gonsalves * Rajan P. Dev as Antonio * Madhupal as Willy * Krishnakumar as Douglas * Mitra Joshi as Catherine, Willy & Douglas's sister * Sreenath as Col. Raveendran * Ravi Menon as Father Thaliyath * Ajith Kollam as Freddy * Santhosh as Beeran * Vinayakan as Michael Jackson imitator, his movie debut * Maria Gorettiz
==Production== Lal Jose was the associate director of Thampi Kannanthanam in the film. Madras (now Chennai) was a filming location.<ref name="news">{{cite news|title=മാന്ത്രികത്തിലെ ജിപ്സിയിൽ നിന്ന് ഗംഗയായ വിനായകന്റെ കഥ|url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/vinayakan-journey-film-untold-story.html|access-date=28 February 2018|work=Malayala Manorama|date=9 March 2017|language=ml}}</ref> ''Maanthrikam'' marked the film debut of Vinayakan, who appeared as a member of a gypsy dance group, he apparently imitates and wears the attire of Michael Jackson.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sreenath|first=I.|title=Vinayakan: A catcall from the fringe that rattles the uptight hero|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/vinayakan-best-actor-malayalam-cinema-black-glory.html|access-date=28 February 2018|work=Malayala Manorama|date=8 March 2017}}</ref> For the role, Vinayakan was referred to Kannanthanam by Lal Jose, who spotted him during a dance performance in Kochi.<ref name="news"/> Made on a budget of {{INR}}3 crores, major locations of the movie were MGR Film City, [https://kishkindawaterpark.com Kishkinda Water Park], Chidambaram and Pichavaram. The magic sequences which Mohanlal performed was taught by magician R. K. Malayath.<ref name="budget">{{Cite web |last=George |first=Anjana |date=13 December 2019 |title=Behind the Scenes: We chose Vinayakan, who debuted in Manthrikam, because his moves reminded us of Michael Jackson: Babu Pallassery |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/behind-the-scenes-we-chose-vinayakan-who-debuted-in-manthrikam-because-his-moves-reminded-us-of-michael-jackson-babu-pallassery/articleshow/72489971.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191214130137/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/behind-the-scenes-we-chose-vinayakan-who-debuted-in-manthrikam-because-his-moves-reminded-us-of-michael-jackson-babu-pallassery/articleshow/72489971.cms |archive-date=14 December 2019 |access-date=29 January 2021 |website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref name="location">{{Cite web |last=Brother |first=Lumiere |date=23 October 2018 |title= മോഹൻലാൽ പറഞ്ഞു: ''സോറി ഈ രംഗം എനിക്കു പറ്റില്ല'' |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/columns/tuesday-movie/2018/10/23/story-behind-the-scenes-mantrikam-malayalam-movie.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024072312/https://www.manoramaonline.com/style/columns/tuesday-movie/2018/10/23/story-behind-the-scenes-mantrikam-malayalam-movie.html |archive-date=24 October 2018 |access-date=29 January 2021 |website=Malayala Manorama |language=ml}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == S. P. Venkatesh composed the music for the movie for which the lyrics were written by O. N. V. Kurup. The songs were distributed by Ankit Audios.<ref>{{cite web|title=Manthrikam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)|url=https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/manthrikam-original-motion/id558587247|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228225112/https://itunes.apple.com/ie/album/manthrikam-original-motion/id558587247|url-status=dead|archive-date=28 February 2018|publisher=iTunes|access-date=28 February 2018|date=14 July 1995}}</ref>
{{Track listing | headline = Maanthrikam (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) | extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Mohikkum Neelmizhi | extra1 = K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | length1 = 5:42
| title2 = Keli Vipinam | extra2 = Biju Narayanan | length2 = 5:06
| title3 = Dhim Dhim Dheemi Dheemi (movie version) | extra3 = M. G. Sreekumar, Alex | length3 = 5:03
| title4 = Keli Vipinam | extra4 = K. S. Chithra | length4 = 5:06 | title5 = Dhim Dhim Dheemi Dheemi (audio cd/cassette version) | extra5 = M. G. Sreekumar | length5 = 5:03
}}
==Reception== Mohanlal had expressed doubts about the film doing well at the box office due to the unworldly stunts performed in the film. However, Kannanthanam assured him that the film would be a hit.<ref name=":0" />
==References== {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|id=0280889|title=Maanthrikam}}
Category:1995 Indian films Category:1995 Malayalam-language films Category:1995 action comedy films Category:1995 films Category:Films directed by Thampi Kannanthanam Category:Films shot in Chennai Category:Indian action comedy films Category:Indian Army in films