Rajamanikyam

{{More citations needed|date=March 2022}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Rajamanikyam | image = Rajamanikyamm.jpg | caption = Promotional poster | director = [[Anwar Rasheed]] | producer = Valiyaveettil Siraj | writer = [[T. A. Shahid]] | starring = [[Mammootty]]<br>[[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]]<br>[[Manoj K. Jayan]]<br>[[Ranjith (actor)|Ranjith]]<br>[[Bheeman Raghu]] | music = [[Alex Paul]] | cinematography = Sanjeev Shankar | editing = [[Ranjan Abraham]] | studio = Valiyaveettil Movie International | distributor = Valiyaveettil Release & PJ Entertainments | released = {{Film date|df=y|2005|11|01|ref1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2016/11-years-of-mammootty-s-rajamanikyam-246168.html|title = 11 Years of Mammoottty's Rajamanikyam: 5 Important Contributions of the Film!|date = 3 November 2016}}</ref>}} ([[India]]) | runtime = 126 minutes | country = India | budget = {{INR}}2.30 crore<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rajamanickam-a-sequel-news-malayalam-kkfvx2jfbdhsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114004852/http://www.sify.com/movies/rajamanickam-a-sequel-news-malayalam-kkfvx2jfbdhsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 November 2016|title='Rajamanickam'-A sequel|work=[[Sify]]|date=7 December 2005}}</ref> | gross = {{INR}}25 crore<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/actor-mammoottys-box-office-collection-records-new-delhi-rajamanikyam-hrk-s5y7n8|title =വമ്പൻ ഉയര്‍ത്തെഴുന്നേല്‍പ്പ്, മമ്മൂട്ടി തുടങ്ങിവെച്ച കോടി ക്ലബുകള്‍, മലയാളത്തിന്റെ റെക്കോര്‍ഡ് നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍|date = 20 December 2023|work=Asianet News}}</ref> }}

'''''Rajamanikyam''''' is a 2005 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[masala film]] directed by [[Anwar Rasheed]] in his directoral debut and written by [[T. A. Shahid]]. It stars [[Mammootty]] as the titular businessman, along with [[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Mammootty advised Rahman to take Rajamanikyam|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Mammootty-advised-me-to-take-Rajamanikyam/articleshow/47674891.cms|website=Times of India|access-date=15 June 2015|last1=Soman |first1=Deepa }}</ref> [[Manoj K Jayan]], [[Ranjith (actor)|Ranjith]], [[Salim Kumar]], [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]], [[Bheeman Raghu]], [[Sindhu Menon]], [[Padmapriya Janakiraman|Padmapriya]] and [[Cochin Haneefa]] in supporting roles. The music is composed by [[Alex Paul]]. It tells the story of Rajamanikyam aka Bellary Raja ([[Mammootty]]), a [[Karnataka]]-based buffalo businessman who tries to unite his warring siblings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Rajamanikyam Review|url=http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/2410/malayalam/rajamanikyam/553/review.htm|website=Now Running|access-date=3 August 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rajamanickam|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/rajamanickam-review-malayalam-pclvN0jcedehf.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102112905/http://www.sify.com/movies/rajamanickam-review-malayalam-pclvN0jcedehf.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 November 2015|website=[[Sify]]|publisher=Moviebuzz}}</ref>

The film was released on 1 November during [[Diwali]], and was dubbed and released in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] with the same name in 2007. It was the highest grossing Malayalam movie in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mammootty - Forbes India Magazine|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/mammootty/1819/123|access-date=2021-06-12|website=Forbes India|language=en}}</ref>

The film was remade in Kannada in 2009 as ''[[Bellary Naga]]''.

==Plot== In a village in Southern [[Kerala]] bordering [[Tamil Nadu]] lives a wealthy and respectful businessman named Raja Rathnam Pillai. Following the demise of his first wife, he marries Muthu Lakshmi so that Selvam, the child from his first marriage will not grow up without the love and care of a mother. Unknown to him, Muthu Lakshmi already has a son, whom she calls Muthu.

The night of the wedding, Muthu knocks at the door of Raja Rathnam, demanding that he be shown his mother. Once Raja Rathnam realises the truth, he takes Muthu into his care, giving him love, affection and a new name, "Rajamanikyam". Muthu returns the favour duly, as when Selvam ends up killing one of the children of their village, he takes up the blame and leaves the village, after getting a hit on his left eye.

Several years later, Raja Rathnam's two grown-up children, Selvam and Rani, quarrel for their father's wealth. Selvam, aided by his childhood buddy Simon Nadar also notches up a plot to frame his own father in a murder case. Raja Rathnam is implicated in a sensitive political murder. As a result, Raja Rathnam is arrested and remanded. While taking Rathnam to the prison from the premises of the court, a wide scale altercation erupts - between Rathnam's supporters and the sycophants of the slain politician. Amidst the chaos, a huge stone is pelted at Raja Rathnam - severely injuring him. (The stone is pelted by the actual assailant). Witnessing the riots, Raja Rathnam dies of a heart attack - sitting inside the police van - while being taken to the prison. After his death, the two siblings are summoned by the family lawyer to read out the provisions of Raja Rathnam's will. But to their surprise, they find that control of all the assets of their father have been transferred to a [[Bellary]] based cattle dealer and businessman named Bellary Raja. They fail to recognize that Bellary Raja is none other than Rajamanikyam.

Selvam and Rani tries to thwart Manikyam in order to regain control of their father's wealth. But Manikyam never falls for any of their attempts and he uses his younger brother and manager Raju to stabilize the assets of his stepfather and prevents it from getting into the hands of his siblings, thereby preserving it. Manikyam effectively uses the help of his thug friends to restore order in the establishment. Manikyam's identity is revealed by himself at a crucial juncture and revelation stuns the entire family. Simon and Selvam sends a goon to kill Bellary from his blind side. However, Bellary thwarts the attempt, lightly wounding him.

Differences emerge between Selvam and Simon regarding a financial liability. Simon betrays Selvam him and he is held captive by a boorish Tamil moneylender Perumal - who demands the repayment for the release of Selvam. Rani - unaware of the latter developments - blames Manikyam in order to deny them their claim over their father's wealth. Manikyam comes to the rescue and pays the required amount of money to release Selvam. He emotionally narrates his hardships and love for his siblings - stirring the emotions of his mother and siblings. Feeling deeply disappointed - on being unable to fulfill his father's wish to unite their family, Manikyam prepares to leave for Bellary.

At that night Selvam, being absolutely drunk and weeping comes to Manikyam's house and apologizes for all his past deeds and embraces him - burying all differences. He asks Manikyam not to leave them. Manikyam is deeply moved and laments that, Raja Rathnam was unfortunate as he 'left early' (An untimely death) and he could not witness the conciliation. Varghese, a close confidant and trusted ally of Raja Rathnam, reveals that he was rather 'packed off' (A murder) - resulting in the narration of the deceit and Manikyam and acolytes go in search for the actual assailant. When the real culprit is caught, he reveals the main conspirator was Simon. Selvam and Simon gets into an argument-turned-fight. Selvam gets beaten badly by Simon and his goons was about to be killed. However, Manikyam, Raju and their henchman Varkey came to rescue Selvam and fight off Simon and his henchmen.

Manikyam releases a bull towards Simon and kills him for killing Raja Rathnam and trying to destroy his family. He reunites with Selvam and takes him home. The movie ends when Rajamanikyam, who is half-blind, says, "Now I have both eyes", signifying Raju and Selvam.

== Cast == {{colbegin}} * [[Mammootty]] as Rajamanikyam aka Bellary Raja, Raja Rathnam Pillai's stepson and a [[Asian Water Buffalo|buffalo]] businessman in [[Bellary]] ** Ashwin as Young Rajamanikyam (Muthu) * [[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]] as Raju, Manikyam's adodpted younger brother and educated manager. * [[Manoj K. Jayan]] as Rajaselvam, Raja Rathnam Pillai's son, Manikyam's stepbrother * [[Ranjith (actor)|Ranjith]] as Simon Nadar, Rajaselvam's friend, partner and the main antagonist (voice over by [[Shobi Thilakan]]) * [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]] as Raja Rathnam Pillai, Selvam's and Rani's father, and Manikyam's stepfather and a wealthy businessman. * [[Bheeman Raghu]] as Quintal Varkey, Manikyam's friend and Henchmen * [[Salim Kumar]] as Dasappan * [[Cochin Haneefa]] as Varghese, Raja Ratnam's friend * [[Padmapriya Janakiraman]] as Malli / Chellakkili, a flower seller and Bellari Raja's love interest * [[Sindhu Menon]] as Rani Rathnam, Manikyam's sister & Selvam's stepsister * [[Chitra Shenoy]] as Muthulakshmi Ammal, Rajarathnam's second wife, Manikyams and Rani's mother and Selvam's stepmother * [[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]] as Ramesh, Rani Ratnam's husband, Manikyam's brother-in-law. * [[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]] as Vikraman, C. I of police, Tamil Nadu * [[Maniyanpilla Raju]] as Advocate Shivadaas Menon * [[T. P. Madhavan]] as College Principal * [[Kadhal Dhandapani]] as Perumal * [[Vijay Menon]] as Adv. Lal Cherian, an advocate arranged by Nadar. * [[Abu Salim (actor)|Abu Salim]] as Goonda sent by Raja Selvam to kill Manikyam. * [[Santhosh Jogi]] as Goonda, an assassin, sent by Simon Nadar to trap Raja Ratnam Pillai and who throws a stone at him at court * [[Kalabhavan Shajohn]] as Finance Manager, spy of Raja Selvam. * Nivia Rebin as Kanakambaram, Malli's younger sister *[[Srilatha (actress)|Srilatha]] as Church Child {{colend}}

[[Narayanankutty]] and [[Pradeep Kottayam]] appear as board members of Rajarathnam group. [[Biju Sopanam]] appears in an uncredited role as an aide to the assassin, played by Santosh Jogi.

=== Family tree of Rajarathnam Family === {{tree chart/start}} {{tree chart| |,|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| | | | | | | | | }} {{tree chart| |!| | | | | | | | | | |ML |-|v|-|RR|-|v|-|JNKM | |SK=Shakeela |RR=Raja Rathnam|JNKM=Janakiyammal}} {{tree chart| |!| | | | | | | | | | | ||||!||||||!||| }} {{tree chart|RM|||||||||RMSH|-| RRN| || |RS|RM=Raja Manikyam|RJ=Raju|RJU=Raju| RRN=Rani Rathnam|RS= Raja Selvam|}} {{tree chart/end}}

== Production == Actor [[Suraj Venjaramoodu]] was roped in to help Mammootty get the hang of the slang spoken in the border areas of [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. [[Mammootty]] was highly praised for rendering the slang efficiently and that contributed greatly to it becoming a mega mass film. ''Rajamanikyam'' was completed in Pollachi in a record time of 55 days.

== Reception == Sreenath Nair of the ''[[Deccan Herald]]'' wrote, "Mammooty does justice to his superstar tag and his portrayal of Bellary Raja eclipses the rest of the cast - Cochin Haneefa, Sai Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, etc. Anwar Rasheed's debut is not bad but more care on delineation, music and cinematography would have helped the Bellary Raja."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-09-04 |title=Raajamanikyam - Deccan Herald - Internet Edition |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov272005/movies16495120051126.asp |access-date=2023-03-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060904055657/http://www.deccanherald.com/deccanherald/nov272005/movies16495120051126.asp |archive-date=4 September 2006 }}</ref>

==Box office== The film was released to high expectations, with Valiyaveethil Films collecting ₹2 crore from theatre advances for the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2005-12-11 |title='Rajamanickam' –Red hot! |url=http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13966793 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=[[Sify]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051211042848/http://sify.com/movies/malayalam/fullstory.php?id=13966793 |archive-date=11 December 2005 }}</ref> It was released on 4 November 2005 in 45 theatres in Kerala, on the occasion of Ramzan, along with ''[[Anandabhadram|Ananthabhadram]]'' and ''[[Boyy Friennd]].''<ref>{{cite web|date=7 November 2005|title=Ramzan films open big!|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ramzan-films-open-big-news-malayalam-kkfvy0hbffcsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022339/http://www.sify.com/movies/ramzan-films-open-big-news-malayalam-kkfvy0hbffcsi.html|archive-date=7 November 2017|work=[[Sify]]}}</ref> The film was a commercial success and became the highest grossing Malayalam film at that time.<ref>{{cite web|date=30 December 2005|title=Boom year for mollywood|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001380100.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161206164931/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/fr/2005/12/30/stories/2005123001380100.htm|archive-date=6 December 2016|work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=22 December 2005|title=2005- An analysis|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/2005-an-analysis-news-malayalam-kkfvwXbejbbsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114003334/http://www.sify.com/movies/2005-an-analysis-news-malayalam-kkfvwXbejbbsi.html|archive-date=14 November 2016|work=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=29 November 2011|title=Mammootty's son in Anwar Rasheed's film|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-malayalam-news/20111129.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=22 December 2005|title=Malayalam box-office|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-box-office-news-malayalam-kkfvwOffajhsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629201448/https://www.sify.com/movies/malayalam-box-office-news-malayalam-kkfvwOffajhsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 June 2021|work=[[Sify]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=6 October 2009|title=Vishnuvardhan takes on Mammootty|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-kannada-remake-of-rajamanikam/20091006.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Mammootty - Forbes India Magazine|url=https://www.forbesindia.com/celebprofile2019/mammootty/1819/123|access-date=2021-06-12|work=[[Forbes]]|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Fabulous Fifteen|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2010/jan/18/fabulous-fifteen-161586.html|work=[[The New Indian Express]]|language=en|date=18 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chotta Mumbai is a fun film|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2007/mar/28ssanwar.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|language=en|date=28 March 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Top Malayalam films, 2005|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/dec/29sd1.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|language=en|date=28 December 2005}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/companies/picture-isn-t-perfect-in-mollywood-106031501120_1.html|title=Picture isn't perfect in Mollywood|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=6 February 2013|last1=John |first1=Nevin }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/apr/04slid1.htm|title=A Mammootty double treat!|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=2 April 2004}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2006/apr/11slid2.htm|title=Malayalam cinema ready for Vishu |work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=2 April 2006}}</ref> The film ran for more than 140 days in the theaters.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/classmates-break-rajamanickam-record-news-malayalam-kkfvhQjbjggsi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106064730/http://www.sify.com/movies/classmates-break-rajamanickam-record-news-malayalam-kkfvhQjbjggsi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 November 2016|title='Classmates' break 'Rajamanickam' record!|work=[[Sify]]|date=11 October 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/companies/picture-isn-t-perfect-in-mollywood-106031501120_1.html|title=Picture isn't perfect in Mollywood|work=[[Business Standard]]|date=15 March 2006|last1=John|first1=Nevin}}</ref> It was the [[List of highest-grossing Malayalam films#Highest-grossing films by year|highest grossing Malayalam movie of the year]]. It is the first Malayalam film to have ₹1 crore center gross from [[Ernakulam]]. The film completed its 100 days at Kavitha, Ernakulam, from where it got a record distributors' share of Rs. 42 lakhs.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-11-03|title=11 Years Of Mammoottty's Rajamanikyam: 5 Important Contributions Of The Film!|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2016/11-years-of-mammootty-s-rajamanikyam-246168.html|access-date=2021-06-28|website=www.filmibeat.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-07-17 |title=The Hindu : Friday Review Thiruvananthapuram : Reign of the superstars |url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/07/14/stories/2006071400710100.htm |access-date=2023-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060717114534/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2006/07/14/stories/2006071400710100.htm |archive-date=17 July 2006 }}</ref> The film also ran for 286 days in Thiruvananthapuram Kripa theatre.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-08-22 |title=Kerala Showtimes - Rajamanikyam |url=http://www.nowrunning.com:80/searchhalls.asp?region=Kerala |access-date=2023-04-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060822162922/http://www.nowrunning.com:80/searchhalls.asp?region=Kerala |archive-date=22 August 2006 }}</ref> The film collected {{INR}}25 crore from Kerala box office in its final run.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.asianetnews.com/entertainment/box-office/actor-mammoottys-box-office-collection-records-new-delhi-rajamanikyam-hrk-s5y7n8|title =വമ്പൻ ഉയര്‍ത്തെഴുന്നേല്‍പ്പ്, മമ്മൂട്ടി തുടങ്ങിവെച്ച കോടി ക്ലബുകള്‍, മലയാളത്തിന്റെ റെക്കോര്‍ഡ് നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍|date = 20 December 2023|work=Asianet News}}</ref>

==Legacy== The character of Bellary Raja attained [[cult status]] in Kerala. The dialogues of the film were referred to in many other films most noteworthy being in Malayalam film ''[[Premam]]'' (during the second intro of [[Nivin Pauly]]). Moreover, the costumes of [[Mammootty]] in the film went onto become a trend setter in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-11-03|title=11 Years Of Mammoottty's Rajamanikyam: 5 Important Contributions Of The Film!|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2016/11-years-of-mammootty-s-rajamanikyam-246168.html|access-date=2022-02-24|website=filmibeat.com|language=en}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{Anwar Rasheed}} * {{IMDb title|0483131}}

[[Category:2005 films]] [[Category:2005 Malayalam-language films]] [[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]] [[Category:Indian action comedy films]] [[Category:Films shot in Pollachi]] [[Category:Indian family films]] [[Category:2005 directorial debut films]] [[Category:Films directed by Anwar Rasheed]]