{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2015}} {{Use Indian English|date=October 2015}} {{Infobox film | name = Thazhvaram | image = Thazhvaram.jpg | alt = | caption = Poster | director = [[Bharathan]] | producer = V. B. K. Menon | writer = [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]] | narrator = | starring = [[Mohanlal]]<br />[[Salim Ghouse]]<br />[[Sumalatha]] | music = '''Songs:'''<br />Bharathan<br />'''Score:'''<br>[[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] | cinematography = [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] | editing = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]] | studio = Anugraha Cine Arts | distributor = Anugraha Cine Arts Release | released = {{Film date|df=yes|1990|6|1}} | runtime = 130 minutes | country = India | language = Malayalam | budget = {{INRConvert|25|l}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=G. |first=Jyothilal |date=2018-07-11 |title=Producer V. B. K. Menon interview |url=https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/devasuram-thazhvaram-mohanlal-vbk-menon-producer-interview-1.2962529 |access-date=2020-11-19 |website=[[Mathrubhumi]]}}</ref> | gross = }} '''''Thazhvaram''''' ({{Translation|The valley}}) is a 1990 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[epic film|epic]] [[western film]] directed by [[Bharathan]] and written by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]. It stars [[Mohanlal]], [[Salim Ghouse]], [[Sumalatha]], [[Anju (actress)|Anju]], and [[Sankaradi]]. It tells the story of Balan (Mohanlal) who's on the lookout for Raju (Salim Ghouse) for avenging the murder of his wife Raji (Anju). Bharathan also composed the only song featured in the film, and the background score was provided by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]].
The film is set against the backdrop of a remote lawless village across a valley in [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], symbolising themes and landscapes reminiscent of the [[American Wild West]]. The film has achieved a [[cult film|cult]] status in Kerala since its release. It was both a critical and commercial success with many critics praising Mohanlal's performance. It is considered one of Mohanlal's best performances in his career.<ref>{{cite news |last=Shrijith |first=Sajin |title=The quiet rawness of Bharathan's Thazhvaram |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/sep/07/the-quiet-rawness-of-bharathans-thazhvaram-1868544.html |access-date=15 December 2019 |work=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=7 September 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Screenplays for ever |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/screenplays-for-ever/article6449094.ece|agency=[[The Hindu]]|date=26 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/jul/18/another-of-keralas-gifts-to-the-world-the-powerful-and-timeless-words-of-mt-vasudevan-nair-2171584.html | title=Another of Kerala's gifts to the world: The powerful and timeless words of MT Vasudevan Nair | date=18 July 2020 }}</ref>
==Plot== {{More plot|date=December 2019}} Balan is in search of Raju, and the search takes him to a remote village in a valley. Balan reaches a house in the hills where he is welcomed wholeheartedly by Nanu, the house owner, and Kochutty, his daughter. Balan realizes that Raju stays with them as Raghavan. Balan learns that Nanu has helped Raju start farming and that Nanu intends to have his daughter marry Raju. Balan decides to wait for Raghavan / Raju.
Raju, on his arrival, smells his enemy. The story progresses with the two having to pretend before Nanu and Kochutty that they are good friends. The film cuts to a flashback, where Raju and Balan are close friends. He, in greed for money, killed Balan's wife, Raji, on their wedding night and ran away with Balan's hard-earned money.
Balan is now back in search of Raju to avenge the death of his wife. Raju attacks Balan in one of the numerous encounters the duo has and almost kills him. Balan survives the attack to save Nanu and his daughter from Raghavan.
==Cast== *[[Mohanlal]] as Balan *[[Salim Ghouse]] as Raju / Raghavan *[[Sumalatha]] as Kochootti *[[Anju (actress)|Anju]] as Raji *[[Sankaradi]] as Nanu *[[Balan K. Nair]] as Kanarettan, Raji's father
==Production== This is Bharathan's second film with [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]] after ''[[Vaishali (film)|Vaishali]]'' in 1988. This is the second collaboration of [[Mohanlal]] and [[Bharathan]] after [[Kattathe Kilikkoodu|Kattathe Killikudu]]. [[Bharathan]], Sasi Menon, and Gayathri Ashokan did the poster designs.
==Soundtrack== The soundtrack of this film had only one song composed by [[Bharathan]] himself to the lines written by [[Kaithapram]] and rendered by [[K. J. Yesudas]]. {| class="wikitable" |- ! # !! Song title !! Singer !! Note(s) |- | 1 || "Kannetha Doore Marutheeram" || [[K. J. Yesudas]] || '''Ragam:''' Sudha Saveri |}
==Reception== Upon release, the film, initially a slow starter, garnered widespread positive reviews and became a success both critically and commercially. The camera work of [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] is considered the highlight of the film. The film is considered a cult classic in Malayalam and the performance of [[Mohanlal]] is said to be one of his best in his acting career by the critics.
==Awards== *[[Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam]] – V. B. K. Menon<ref>[[38th Filmfare Awards South]]</ref> *[[Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor]] – [[B. Lenin]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-03-03 |title=Kerala State Film Awards 1981-1990 |url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm |access-date=2023-08-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234213/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm |archive-date=3 March 2016 }}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{IMDb title|0156130}}
{{Bharathan}} {{Filmfare Award for Best Film – Malayalam}} [[Category:1990 Malayalam-language films]] [[Category:1990 crime thriller films]] [[Category:1990 drama films]] [[Category:1990 films]] [[Category:Films shot in Palakkad]] [[Category:Films scored by Bharathan]] [[Category:Films directed by Bharathan]] [[Category:Films with screenplays by M. T. Vasudevan Nair]] [[Category:Indian films about revenge]]