{{Short description|1989 Indian film by Siddique–Lal}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Ramji Rao Speaking | image = Ramji Rao Speaking.jpg | alt = | caption = Poster | director = [[Siddique–Lal]] | producer = [[Fazil (director)|Fazil]]<br />Ousepachan Vaalakuzhy<br/>[[Swargachitra Appachan]] | writer = Siddique–Lal | narrator = | starring = [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]]<br />[[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]]<br />[[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]]<br /> [[Vijayaraghavan (actor)|Vijayaraghavan]]<br />[[Devan (actor)|Devan]] | music = [[S. Balakrishnan (composer)|S. Balakrishnan]] | cinematography = [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] | editing = T. R. Shekar | studio = Adithya Films | distributor = Century | released = {{film date|df=yes|1989|08|04}} | runtime = 150 minutes | country = India | language = Malayalam }}
'''''Ramji Rao Speaking''''' is a 1989 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[comedy-thriller]] film written and directed by the duo [[Siddique–Lal]] (in their directorial debut) and produced by [[Fazil (director)|Fazil]], [[Swargachitra Appachan]], and Ousepachan Vaalakuzhy. It was later remade in tamil as Arangetra Velai. It stars [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]], [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]], [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]], [[Vijayaraghavan]], [[Devan (actor)|Devan]], [[Rekha (Tamil actress)|Rekha]], with [[Sankaradi]], [[Sukumari]], [[Kunchan (actor)|Kunchan]] and [[Mamukkoya]] in other supporting roles. The film deals with social factors affecting [[Kerala]] including unemployment during the 1980s, and went on to achieve a [[cult]] [[classic]] status.<ref>{{cite web|last1=ജ്യോതിഷ്|first1=വി.ആര്.|title=ഫാസിൽ മനുഷ്യനെ പറ്റിക്കാൻ ഇറങ്ങിയിരിക്കുകയാണ്...റാംജിറാവുവിനൊപ്പം കഥകളും ഇറങ്ങി; സിദ്ദിഖ്–ലാൽ|work=ManoramaOnline |url=http://www.vanitha.in/just-in/latest-news/ramji-rau-speaking-film-back-scenes.html|publisher=[[Vanitha]]|access-date=21 October 2016|date=21 October 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025231933/http://www.vanitha.in/just-in/latest-news/ramji-rau-speaking-film-back-scenes.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=Vijay George|title=Three of a kind|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/three-of-a-kind/article5325288.ece/|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=7 November 2013|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626200330/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/three-of-a-kind/article5325288.ece/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Malayalam films remade in Hindi|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/three-of-a-kind/article5325288.ece/|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 July 2015|last1=George|first1=Vijay|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=26 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626200330/https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/three-of-a-kind/article5325288.ece/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Ramji Rao Speaking'' marked the debut of director duo [[Siddique (director)|Siddique]] and [[Lal (actor)|Lal]], actors Sai Kumar (first appearance in a notable role), Rekha, N. F. Varghese and Harishree Ashokan (both in minor roles), and music director [[S. Balakrishnan (composer)|S. Balakrishnan]]. ''[[Mannar Mathai Speaking]]'' (1995) and ''[[Mannar Mathai Speaking 2]]'' (2014) are the sequels to the film.
The core plot of the movie was inspired by the 1971 [[List of television films produced for American Broadcasting Company|American Broadcasting Company TV film]] ''See The Man Run'' directed by [[Corey Allen]] and written by [[Mann Rubin]].<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/priyardarshan-on-20-years-of-hera-pheri-humour-can-never-die/articleshow/74893757.cms | title=Priyardarshan on 20 years of 'Hera Pheri': Humour can never die | website=[[The Times of India]] | access-date=24 July 2021 | archive-date=3 January 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103104738/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/priyardarshan-on-20-years-of-hera-pheri-humour-can-never-die/articleshow/74893757.cms | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Fazil (director)|Fazil]] remade this film in [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] as ''[[Arangetra Velai]]'' (1990), with [[Mamukkoya]], Sukumari and Vijayaraghavan reprising their role and the character of Gopalakrishnan being replaced by a female. [[Priyadarshan]] remade the film in Hindi, titled ''[[Hera Pheri (2000 film)|Hera Pheri]]'' (2000). It was also remade in Telugu as ''[[Dhanalakshmi, I Love You]]'' (2002), in Odia as ''Wrong Number'' (2002), in Kannada as ''Trin Trin'' (2004), in Bengali as ''Hera Pheri'' (2016) and Punjabi as ''[[Gol Gappe (film)|Gol Gappe]]'' (2023).
== Plot == The story revolves around three [[Unemployment in India|unemployed people]] (the third is a middle aged unsuccessful theatre owner). The story opens with the arrival of Balakrishnan in [[Kochi]] to dispute the denial of his company job which he was supposed to receive several years ago. Several candidates overtook his chance and the last one was Rani who pretends to be an influential figure, the daughter of Shivashankaran Panicker. Rani threatens Balakrishnan to continue her work despite his efforts to overthrow her. The [[Business manager|company manager]] knows about her family situation and helps her keep the job. Balakrishnan is determined to stay in the town until he succeeds in getting the job.
During his stay, Balakrishnan finds a temporary lodging in 'Urvasi Theatre', owned by [[Mannar, Alappuzha|Mannar]] Mathai, with another tenant Gopalakrishnan, both unemployed and with insignificant earnings. Mathai is constantly pestered by calls intended for Urumees Thampan, a rich businessman, and vice versa. Initially, Gopalakrishnan does not like the new tenant because of a misunderstanding made by Balakrishnan that Gopalakrishnan is a [[Pickpocketing|pickpocket]] at the market, in vain. Gopalakrishnan is tricky and cunning, who lies to his mother by telling her that he works in a large company in [[Calcutta]] and that he is building a new house in Kochi. Balakrishnan discovers the truth and mistakes Gopalakrishnan as a fraud. Gopalakrishnan makes Balakrishnan to sign a white paper and betrays him by writing a [[No-objection certificate|no-objection letter]] to Rani, thus giving her the job. Gopalakrishnan brings Balakrishnan's friend Hamzukkoya who is desperately searching for him to the house. Hamzukkoya threatens to commit [[Suicide in India|suicide]] if he does not repay the debt of [[Indian rupee|Rs.]] 35,000 he took for his sister's wedding, which Hamzukkoya wants to use for his daughter's wedding as fast as possible. He demands the money from Rani, but what shocks Balakrishnan most was the realisation of Rani's family dire situation, having a blind son who needs a surgery worth rupees 50,000, which she had earlier demanded from Balakrishnan in return for the job. Balakrishnan gets drunk at night and reveals the fraud play Gopalakrishnan has done to his own mother, which Gopalakrishnan justifies as comforting his mother who has had health issues because Gopalakrishnan [[Graduate unemployment|did not get a job months after passing out of college]]. The truth melts the hearts of both Balakrishnan and Mannar Mathai, they all become friends enjoy the night despite their unending problems and celebrates the night.
Early in dawn, Balakrishnan wakes up to a ringing telephone. A gang leader named Ramji Rao has kidnapped Nisha, Urumees's daughter and is asking for a ransom of Rs. 1 [[lakh]]. The three unemployed have no relation with Urumees; Ramji Rao had apparently dialled the [[Misdialed call|wrong number]]. Panicking, the trio tries to find the number of Urumees from a [[Telephone directory|phone directory]], only to find out that the numbers of Urvasi Theaters and Urumees were mistakenly interchanged in the printed directory. Gopalakrishnan comes up with an idea and asks Balakrishnan to act as a dealer between Ramji Rao with Urumees, without letting them know about each other, and demand a ransom of four lakh to Urumees, instead of one lakh, get Nisha from Ramji Rao, and take the remaining three lakh for themselves. They narrowly escape Hamzukkoya who tries to assault Balakrishnan, who has not paid for the wedding. They find it difficult as the [[Kerala Police|police]] suspect them and they find it hard to keep Urumees and Ramji Rao anonymous to each other. Finally, after a struggle, the trio rescues Nisha from the gang leader and hands her over to Urumees. Ramji Rao is arrested, and they confess the truth to him after a police encounter. Gopalakrishnan gives Hamzukkoya his money, but is arrested along with Balakrishnan and Mannar Mathai soon after he reaches home. Urumees forgives them and is thankful for returning his daughter, and offers them the three lakh rupees as a reward, telling them that they do not have to stay at the police station for more than an hour. The film ends with Nisha calling Urumees, mocking Ramji Rao.
== Cast == {{colbegin}} * [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]] as Balakrishnan<ref name="toi">{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/filmyfriday-ramji-rao-speaking-turn-off-the-device-you-are-currently-using-and-tune-into-this-classic/articleshow/86674178.cms|title=#FilmyFriday: 'Ramji Rao Speaking'- Turn off the device you are currently using and tune into this classic!|first=Silpa|last=Rajan|date=1 October 2021|website=[[The Times of India]]|access-date=6 April 2022|archive-date=6 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220406075450/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/filmyfriday-ramji-rao-speaking-turn-off-the-device-you-are-currently-using-and-tune-into-this-classic/articleshow/86674178.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> * [[Mukesh (actor)|Mukesh]] as Gopalakrishnan<ref name="toi"/> * [[Innocent (actor)|Innocent]] as Mannar Mathai<ref name="toi"/> * [[Vijayaraghavan (actor)|Vijayaraghavan]] as Ramji Rao<ref name="toi"/> * [[Devan (actor)|Devan]] as Urumees Thampan<ref name="toi"/> * [[Rekha (Tamil actress)|Rekha]] as Rani<ref name="toi"/> * [[Sankaradi]] as Hindustan Chemicals Manager * [[Mamukkoya]] as Hamzakkoya * [[Sukumari]] as Saraswati * [[Kunchan (actor)|Kunchan]] as Mathai * [[Alleppey Ashraf]] as Chemmeen Varghese * [[N. F. Varghese]] as a Hindustan Chemicals staff member * [[Harisree Asokan]] as a Sandhyav * Amritam Gopinath as Matron * M. L. Augustine as office peon * Anjana as Nisha, Urumees Thampan's daughter * P. C. George as the [[circle inspector]] of [[Kerala Police|police]] * Shiyas Basheer as Unni, Rani's brother {{colend}}
== Production == The movie was directed by [[Siddique–Lal]] duo, who were assistants of [[Fazil (director)|Fazil]]. The film was also produced by Fazil. [[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]] made his acting debut with this film.<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/second-innings/article3230370.ece|title = Second innings|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 18 August 2006|access-date = 26 May 2017|archive-date = 29 May 2022|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220529032216/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-fridayreview/second-innings/article3230370.ece|url-status = live}}</ref>
== Soundtrack == The film's soundtrack contains 4 songs, all composed by [[S. Balakrishnan (composer)|S. Balakrishnan]] in his debut, with the lyrics by [[Bichu Thirumala]]. [[A. R. Rahman]] programmed the song "Kalikalam".<ref>{{Cite news|url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/recalling-a-musical-legacy/article7328966.ece|title = Recalling a musical legacy|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 18 June 2015|last1 = Pradeep|first1 = K.|access-date = 26 May 2017|archive-date = 21 December 2019|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191221181701/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/recalling-a-musical-legacy/article7328966.ece|url-status = live}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%;" ! # !! Title !! Singer(s) |- | 1 | "Avanavan Kurukkunna" | [[M. G. Sreekumar]], [[C. O. Anto]], Chorus |- | 2 | "Kalikkalam Ithu Kalikkalam" | [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]] |- | 3 | "Kanneerkkaayaliletho" | M. G. Sreekumar, [[K. S. Chitra]] |- | 4 | "Oraayiram Kinaakkalal" | M. G. Sreekumar, [[Unni Menon]], K. S. Chitra, C. O. Anto, Chorus |}
== Reception == The film became a commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/malayalam-films-remade-in-hindi/photostory/48267580.cms|title=Malayalam films remade in Hindi|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=29 July 2015|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=4 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170104224902/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/Malayalam-films-remade-in-Hindi/photostory/48267580.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/popular-mollywood-comedian-indrans-gets-to-play-villain-in-movie/|title=Popular Mollywood comedian Indrans gets to play villain in movie|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=6 November 2013|access-date=10 December 2016|archive-date=20 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220205333/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/popular-mollywood-comedian-indrans-gets-to-play-villain-in-movie/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010250630200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090131103614/http://hindu.com/fr/2009/01/02/stories/2009010250630200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=31 January 2009|title=Return to Harihar Nagar |author=Vijay George|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=2 January 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Meleparambil-Aanveedu-Mannar-Mathai-Speaking-sequels/articleshow/9968598.cms|title=Meleparambil Aanveedu Mannar Mathai Speaking sequels|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 September 2011|access-date=28 February 2018|archive-date=10 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810023546/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/others/news-interviews/Meleparambil-Aanveedu-Mannar-Mathai-Speaking-sequels/articleshow/9968598.cms|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/coronavirus-outbreak-tsunami-team-calls-off-shoot/articleshow/74667480.cms|title=Coronavirus outbreak: 'Tsunami' team calls off shoot|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=17 May 2020|access-date=26 June 2021|archive-date=3 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240103104831/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/coronavirus-outbreak-tsunami-team-calls-off-shoot/articleshow/74667480.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1989, ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Siddique and Lal have to be complimented on their brilliant maiden venture, a rollicking comedy."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://i.imgur.com/8DvQrPY.jpg|title=50th day|access-date=14 November 2022|archive-date=14 November 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114122059/https://i.imgur.com/8DvQrPY.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Kalakaumudi]]'' wrote: "Sai Kumar makes an impressive debut...However it is Innocent who is the showstealer."<ref>''Kalakaumudi'' (1989) [https://i.imgur.com/8DvQrPY_d.webp?maxwidth=760&fidelity=grand "സായ് കുമാർ ക്ലിക്ക് ചെയ്തു"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214224738/https://i.imgur.com/8DvQrPY_d.webp?maxwidth=760&fidelity=grand |date=14 December 2022 }}</ref>
==Remakes== {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Film ! Language ! Cast ! Director |- | 1990 | ''[[Arangetra Velai]]'' |[[Tamil language|Tamil]] |[[Prabhu (actor)|Prabhu]], [[Revathi]], [[V. K. Ramasamy (actor)|V. K. Ramasamy]] |[[Fazil (director)|Fazil]] |- |2000 |''[[Hera Pheri (2000 film)|Hera Pheri]]'' |[[Hindi]] |[[Akshay Kumar]], [[Suniel Shetty|Sunil Shetty]], [[Paresh Rawal]] |[[Priyadarshan]] |- | 2002 |''[[Dhanalakshmi, I Love You]]'' |[[Telugu language|Telugu]] |[[Allari Naresh]], [[Aditya Om]], [[Naresh (actor)|Naresh]] |[[Shiva Nageswara Rao]] |- | 2002 |''[[Wrong Number (2002 film)|Wrong Number]]'' |[[Odia language|Odia]] |[[Mihir Das]], [[Sritam Das]] |Bobby Islam |- | 2004 |''[[Trin Trin]]'' |[[Kannada]] |Dharma, Rakesh Krishna, [[Doddanna]] |Adithya Chikkanna |- |2016 |''[[Hera Pheri (2016 film)|Hera Pheri]]'' |[[Bengali language|Bengali]] |[[Rajatava Dutta]], Vivek, [[Subhasish Mukherjee]] |[[Sujit Guha]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertinment/bengali/movie-details/hera-pheri/movieshow/61244637.cms | title=Hera Pheri Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos | eTimes | website=[[The Times of India]] }}</ref> |- |2023 |[[Gol Gappe (film)|''Gol Gappe'']] |[[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] |[[Binnu Dhillon]], [[Rajat Bedi]], [[B. N. Sharma]] |[[Smeep Kang]]<ref>{{cite AV media |date=15 February 2023 |title=Golgappe Movie Is Not A Remake of Hera Pheri |language=pa |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR11_hgk3Fw |access-date=3 January 2024 |time=7:43 |publisher=Punjabi Teshan |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/eR11_hgk3Fw |archive-date=3 January 2024 |via=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> |}
== Legacy == Mukesh's mother's warden's dialogue in the film "Kambilipothappu (woollen blankets)" became a catchphrase.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/malayalam-online-in-wonderful-calligraphy/article4546026.ece|title = Malayalam online in wonderful calligraphy|newspaper = The Hindu|date = 25 March 2013|last1 = Praveen|first1 = S. r.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020195051/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/malayalam-online-in-wonderful-calligraphy/article4546026.ece|archive-date=20 October 2022}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|0353935}}
{{Ramji Rao Speaking}} {{Hera Pheri}} {{Siddique (director)}} {{Lal Films}} {{Fazil (director)}}
[[Category:1989 Malayalam-language films]] [[Category:1989 comedy films]] [[Category:1989 directorial debut films]] [[Category:1989 films]] [[Category:Fiction about unemployment]] [[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Kerala Police]] [[Category:Films about businesspeople]] [[Category:Films about dramatists and playwrights]] [[Category:Films about fraud]] [[Category:Films about kidnapping in India]] [[Category:Films about landlords]] [[Category:Films about organised crime in India]] [[Category:Films about poverty in India]] [[Category:Films about social issues in India]] [[Category:Films about telephony]] [[Category:Films about theatre]] [[Category:Films based on television plays]] [[Category:Films directed by Siddique–Lal]] [[Category:Films scored by S. Balakrishnan (composer)]] [[Category:Films set in Kerala]] [[Category:Films set in the 1980s]] [[Category:Films shot in Alappuzha]] [[Category:Films shot in Kochi]] [[Category:History of Kerala on film]] [[Category:Indian action comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian buddy comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian comedy thriller films]] [[Category:Indian comedy-drama films]] [[Category:Indian film series]] [[Category:Indian gangster films]] [[Category:Indian remakes of American films]] [[Category:Indian screwball comedy films]] [[Category:Indian slapstick comedy films]] [[Category:Mafia comedy films]] [[Category:Malayalam films in series|Speaking1]] [[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]] [[Category:Termination of employment in popular culture]]