# Thazhvaram > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thazhvaram > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Thazhvaram.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thazhvaram > Source revision: 1352262648 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) 1990 Indian film Thazhvaram Poster Directed by Bharathan Written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair Produced by V. B. K. Menon Starring Mohanlal Salim Ghouse Sumalatha Cinematography Venu Edited by B. Lenin V. T. Vijayan Music by Songs: Bharathan Score: Johnson Production company Anugraha Cine Arts Distributed by Anugraha Cine Arts Release Release date 1 June 1990 (1990-06-01) Running time 130 minutes Country India Language Malayalam Budget ₹25 lakh (US$26,000)[1] ***Thazhvaram*** (transl. The valley) is a 1990 Indian [Malayalam](/source/Malayalam)-language [epic](/source/Epic_film) [western film](/source/Western_film) directed by [Bharathan](/source/Bharathan) and written by [M. T. Vasudevan Nair](/source/M._T._Vasudevan_Nair). It stars [Mohanlal](/source/Mohanlal), [Salim Ghouse](/source/Salim_Ghouse), [Sumalatha](/source/Sumalatha), [Anju](/source/Anju_(actress)), and [Sankaradi](/source/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](/source/Johnson_(composer)). The film is set against the backdrop of a remote lawless village across a valley in [Palakkad](/source/Palakkad_district), symbolising themes and landscapes reminiscent of the [American Wild West](/source/American_Wild_West). The film has achieved a [cult](/source/Cult_film) 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.[2][3][4] ## Plot This article's plot summary needs to be improved. Please help do so. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. (December 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) 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](/source/Mohanlal) as Balan - [Salim Ghouse](/source/Salim_Ghouse) as Raju / Raghavan - [Sumalatha](/source/Sumalatha) as Kochootti - [Anju](/source/Anju_(actress)) as Raji - [Sankaradi](/source/Sankaradi) as Nanu - [Balan K. Nair](/source/Balan_K._Nair) as Kanarettan, Raji's father ## Production This is Bharathan's second film with [M. T. Vasudevan Nair](/source/M._T._Vasudevan_Nair) after *[Vaishali](/source/Vaishali_(film))* in 1988. This is the second collaboration of [Mohanlal](/source/Mohanlal) and [Bharathan](/source/Bharathan) after [Kattathe Killikudu](/source/Kattathe_Kilikkoodu). [Bharathan](/source/Bharathan), Sasi Menon, and Gayathri Ashokan did the poster designs. ## Soundtrack The soundtrack of this film had only one song composed by [Bharathan](/source/Bharathan) himself to the lines written by [Kaithapram](/source/Kaithapram) and rendered by [K. J. Yesudas](/source/K._J._Yesudas). # 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](/source/Venu_(cinematographer)) is considered the highlight of the film. The film is considered a cult classic in Malayalam and the performance of [Mohanlal](/source/Mohanlal) is said to be one of his best in his acting career by the critics. ## Awards - [Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam](/source/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Film_-_Malayalam) – V. B. K. Menon[5] - [Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor](/source/Kerala_State_Film_Award_for_Best_Editor) – [B. Lenin](/source/B._Lenin)[6] ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** G., Jyothilal (11 July 2018). ["Producer V. B. K. Menon interview"](https://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/interview/devasuram-thazhvaram-mohanlal-vbk-menon-producer-interview-1.2962529). *[Mathrubhumi](/source/Mathrubhumi)*. Retrieved 19 November 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Shrijith, Sajin (7 September 2018). ["The quiet rawness of Bharathan's Thazhvaram"](https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2018/sep/07/the-quiet-rawness-of-bharathans-thazhvaram-1868544.html). *[The New Indian Express](/source/The_New_Indian_Express)*. Retrieved 15 December 2019. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Screenplays for ever"](https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/screenplays-for-ever/article6449094.ece). [The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu). 26 September 2014. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Another of Kerala's gifts to the world: The powerful and timeless words of MT Vasudevan Nair"](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). 18 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** [38th Filmfare Awards South](/source/38th_Filmfare_Awards_South) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Kerala State Film Awards 1981-1990"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234213/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm). 3 March 2016. Archived from [the original](http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/stateawards2.htm) on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2023. ## External links - [*Thazhvaram*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0156130/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier)) v t e Films directed by Bharathan Prayanam (1975) Guruvayur Kesavan (1977) Rathinirvedam (1978) Aniyara (1978) Aaravam (1978) Thakara (1979) Lorry (1980) Savithiri (1980) Chamaram (1980) Nidra (1981) Chaatta (1981) Parankimala (1981) Parvathy (1981) Marmaram (1982) Palangal (1982) Ormakkayi (1982) Eenam (1983) Sandhya Mayangum Neram (1983) Kattathe Kilikkoodu (1983) Ente Upasana (1984) Kathodu Kathoram (1985) Ozhivukaalam (1985) Pranamam (1986) Chilambu (1986) Oru Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettam (1987) Neela Kurinji Poothappol (1987) Vaisali (1988) Oru Sayahnathinte Swapnam (1989) Thazhvaram (1990) Malootty (1990) Amaram (1991) Keli (1991) Aavarampoo (1992) Thevar Magan (1992) Patheyam (1993) Venkalam (1993) Chamayam (1993) Devaraagam (1996) Churam (1997) Manjeeradhwani (1998) v t e Filmfare Award for Best Malayalam Film Chemmeen (1966) Agniputhri (1967) Thulabharam (1968) Adimakal (1969) Vazhve Mayam (1970) Aabhijathyam (1971) Chemparathy (1972) Nellu (1974) Raagam (1975) Mohiniyaattam (1976) Itha Ivide Vare (1977) Rathinirvedam (1978) Thakara (1979) Chamaram (1980) Thrishna (1981) Ee Nadu (1982) Nirakkoottu (1985) Vartha (1986) Thaniyavarthanam (1987) 1921 (1988) Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989) Thazhvaram (1990) Perumthachan (1991) Sargam (1993) Vatsalyam (1994) Spadikam (1995) Thooval Kottaram (1996) Bhoothakkannadi (1997) Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998) Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal (1999) Karunam (2000) Meghamalhar (2001) Nandanam (2002) Manassinakkare (2003) Kaazhcha (2004) Achuvinte Amma (2005) Notebook (2006) Katha Parayumpol (2007) Thirakkatha (2008) Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja (2009) Pranchiyettan & the Saint (2010) Traffic (2011) Ayalum Njanum Thammil(2012) Drishyam (2013) Munnariyippu (2014) Pathemari (2015) Maheshinte Prathikaaram (2016) Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum (2017) Sudani from Nigeria (2018) Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020–2021) Nna Thaan Case Kodu (2022) 2018 (2023) Manjummel Boys (2024) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Thazhvaram](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thazhvaram) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thazhvaram?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.