Pazhassi Raja selected for Fukuoka Film Festival

Noted Malayalam film director Hariharan’s latest release Pazhassi Rajahas been selected for the prestigious Fukuoka Film Festival in Japan. It will be held from September 17 to September 26.


The festival started its journey in 1991, and since then, it has invited actor, actresses and film directors as guests to promote their films by organizing discussions and symposiums.


Pazhassi Raja, the 2009 blockbuster movie, featured megastar Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Thilakan, Jagathi Sreekumar and Padmapriya in the lead roles. It also has actors like Manoj K Jayan, Kanika Subramaniam, Suresh Krishna, Suman and Linda Arsenio in various vital roles.


On 16th October, 2009, it was released across Kerala with 130 prints. Renowned musician Ilayaraja composed music for the film, which was produced by Gokulam Gopalan. Academy Award winner Resul Pookutty was the sound designer of the movie.

It is the only Indian movie, which has been chosen to be screened in this year’s Fukuoka Film Festival. Director Hariharan is very excited that his film got selected and is more thrilled because the film tells the story of patriotism.

Pazhassi Raja in Blu –Ray

The classic Hariharan directedPazhassi Rajahas become the first film in Malayalam to be available on the Blu-Ray format.

Moserbaer, the market leader in DVD and CD’s have come out with the first Blu Ray in Malayalam and a function was held at Gokulam Park in Cochin on Thursday (June 17) evening.

Mammootty , Sabu Cherian President of Kerala Film Producers Association and G Dhananjayan of Moserbaer were present on the occasion. Due to Kerala’s Gulf connection there are more Blu-Ray players in the state than all the other southern states put together.

Pazhassi Raja on Blu-Ray is going to be hit which will start a craze for Malayalam films in that format.

It is another feather on Mammootty’s cap. Mammookka is a technology freak and has always brought the latest gizmos to Kerala and popularised it among the masses. 

Pazhassi Raja on DVD, record sales!

Gokulam Gopalan’s, Hariharan- Mammootty classic period masterpiece Pazhassi Raja, a blockbuster has been launched on Home Video by Moser Baer Home Entertainment on May 1.

In three days the CD-DVD has broken all records in Malayalam home video by selling over two lakh units. Says Moser Baer Home Entertainment CEO, G Dhananjayan : “We have already touched sales of 200,000 units of VCDs and DVDs of Pazhassi Raja, which is the highest in the Home Videos of Malayalam so far for any title”.

Moser Baer Home Entertainment went for aggressive marketing which has resulted in record sales. Added Dhananjayan: “The retailers in Kerala have put up a massive display of the title thus creating huge excitement among the customers who visit the outlets and all the stocks launched by us has been sold out”.

Moser Baer acquires rights over Pazhassi Raja home video

Producer G. Dhananjayan of Moser Baer Entertainment has made an official confirmation over the acquisition of Home Video rights (DVD, VCD, Blu-Ray and other formats) of Malayalam Blockbuster Film PAZHASSI RAJA.


Featuring Mamootty, Sarath Kumar, Suman, Manoj K Jayan, Padmapriya, Kaniha in lead roles, the film is Produced by Gokulam Films. Apart from winning rave reviews and big collections in Kerala box office, the Tamil version too has been witnessing extraordinary results at box office.

Says Dhananjayan, Moser Baer Entertainment will be bringing out the film in all formats of Home Video and also in Blu-Ray format for the first time in Malayalam film industry in April 2010 across the World. Moser Baer is proud to have acquired the rights at the highest ever price in home video rights, considering the importance of this title in the history of Malayalam film industry.

Pazhassi Raja (Tamil) trimmed!

Gokulam Gopalan’s Hariharan directed Mammootty- Sarath Kumar- Manoj K Jayan- Kaniha- Padmapriya epic drama Pazhassi Raja with music by Ilayaraja in Tamil is confirmed to release on November 20, all over Tamil Nadu.

Pazhassi Raja in Malayalam has turned out to be a super hit in Kerala and is reported to have collected more revenue in its first three weeks than the all time super hit Twenty:20 released in 2008.

Meanwhile the Tamil version of the film has been trimmed by 30 minutes and cut down from the original 3 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours and 45 minutes, making it even more slicker and racy.

CM watches Pazhassi Raja!

Producer Gokulam Gopalan arranged a special screening of his mega blockbuster Pazhassi Raja at Four Frames preview theatre for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi.

The Tamil version of the film was screened and the CM was said to have loved the film.

The film directed by veteran Hariharan features Mammootty, Sarath Kumar, Manoj K Jayan, Suman, Kaniha and Padmapriya.

Sarath Kumar who was present on the occasion gifted a shawl to the CM. In fact Kalingar was all praise for the way the film was conceptualized by Hariharan and for the outstanding performance of Mammootty and Sarath.

Gokulam Praveen the executive producer of the film confirmed that Pazhassi Raja will release in Tamil Nadu on November 6.

Pazhassi Raja Tamil on Nov 6

Gokulam Gopalan’s Mammootty- Sarath Kumar epic in Malayalam Pazhassi Raja, directed by veteran Hariharan has turned out to be a mega hit in Malayalam.

The film which released on October 16 has grossed an amazing Rs 2.72 crore from 125 screens in Kerala during the Diwali weekend (Oct 16 to 18), a new box-office record.

It is also the highest ever three day opening collection for any film in Kerala.

Says Gokulam Praveen, the co-producer of the film: “It is truly amazing the way the film has opened and is being received by the public in Kerala. Everybody seems to like the film and the word of mouth is so good that it may turn out to be a mega blockbuster.”

The bi-lingual Tamil version of Pazhassi Raja will release on November 6 all over Tamil Nadu.

Pazhassiraja - Review

Hariharan, MT Vasudevan Nair and Mammootty’s exhilarating epic Pazhassi Raja is a monumental film, one that will be treasured for years to come. It is a gutsy and outstanding film from the masters, a movie that goes beyond the message.

Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja narrates a truly fascinating epoch in India's history. It's a film that inspires us to be grateful for all those who gave their lives to make our country free. One that instils a sense of pride in viewers minds, for being born in this blessed land! The sincerity that has gone into the making of the film is evident in every frame of this 3 hours 20 minutes classic. No two ways about it; let's salute all those who have put in their efforts to make it happen.

Director Hariharan and writer M T Vasudevan Nair says about an important episode, which is Pazhassi Raja's war against the British that happened more than 50 years before the first war of Independence in 1857. Well, it is already known that the history books in general have not been too kind to the Raja by not mentioning much about his patriotism, valour or his role in India's freedom struggle.

The film begins during the time when the British had ordered to levy heavy taxes from the various kingdoms and Pazhassi Raja (Mammootty), who belonged to the Kottayam Royal family in Thalassery of Malabar region in Kerala, opposed this. After being forced to flee with his Queen Kaitheri Makkom(Kaniha), Lieutenant Edachena Kunkan (Sarathkumar) and Kaitheri Ambu (Suresh Krishna) to the forests, Pazhassi Raja started guerilla warfare against the British from the forests in Wayanad. He had the support of the tribal warriors like Thalackal Chanthu (Manoj K Jayan) and Neeli(Padmapriya).

After some initial successes, Pazhassi's army soon started facing setbacks as they found the going tough against the guns and modern machinery of the English soldiers. The brave Raja and his faithful gang of warriors were defeated by the army led by the young British sub-collector Thomas Baber, with the help of some traitors like Pazhayamveedan Chanthu(Suman).

Mammootty is grace personified and the perhaps the best thing about him as the mighty Pazhassi Raja is that it is virtually impossible to imagine anyone else in his place. Shorn of any artifice or nervous energy he is real. 20 years after Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, he still looks majestic and handsome. Without doubt, this is one of the best roles in his illustrious career.

The surprise packet is Sarath Kumar, who looks perfectly fit, heroic and absolutely invincible as Edachena Kunkan. Kaniha looks beautiful even without any make-up or jewellery and has the royal look that is required for her role as Kaitheri Makkom.

As the fierce tribal girl who fights like a cheetah, Padmapriya excels in her role as Neeli. Manoj K Jayan, Suresh Krishna and Suman have all done their job quite convincingly. The rest of the cast, which include the English actors like Linda Arsenio, also delivers an inspiring performance.

Hariharan and MT Vasudevan Nair have proved their brilliance when they team up several times before and once again, they underline their eminence, with a genuine effort. The technical aspects like Ramanath Shetty's cinematography, Ravi Dewan's action, Resul Pookkutty's sound and Sreekar Prasad's editing have also succeeded in taking to a different level.

Yes, there are aspects which one feels could have been better,like Ilayaraja’s music but the film as a whole is good enough that makes us forget those flaws. Critics might say that the film has taken some cinematic liberties and in fact it does but on the whole it is engaging and entertaining.

Pazhassi Raja has grossed an amazing record Rs 1.53 crore

Hariharan- MT Vasudevan Nair classic Pazhassi Raja produced by Gokulam Gopalan with Megastar Mammootty playing the title role has taken Kerala by storm.

The film has grossed an amazing record Rs 1.53 crore from 125 screens in Kerala on its opening day (October 16).

This is the highest ever opening day collection for any film in Kerala breaking the record of Twenty:20.

Says Gokulam Praveen, the Executive producer of the film: “We are very happy with the film and its gargantuan opening, which also justified our faith in the team.”

Early reports say that the film’s word-of-mouth is so good that it has potential to become a mega blockbuster.

Pazhassi Raja-Bumper advance booking

Gokulam Gopalan’s big budget Mammootty epic Pazhassi Raja, written by MT Vasudevan Nair and directed by Hariharan releasing on Friday (Oct 16) in 125 screens across Kerala is creating a good buzz.

The film for which advance booking has started in many stations is very encouraging.

In places like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikode tickets in most screens have been sold out for the opening day, and fast filling up for Saturday and Sunday.

At Palakkad Priyadarshini, the Mammootty fans association has put up a 550 feet hoarding and they are planning to have Palabhisekam, Annadanam and Payasam supply on the opening day.

It is not just the fans but the family audiences who are queuing up at the advance booking windows. In most centers the fans association have snapped up tickets for the first two shows. The first show of the film will start all over Kerala at 9.09 AM.

The news is that Pazhassi Raja’s running time is 3 hours 20 minutes, making it the longest running Malayalam film in modern times. A special screening of the film was held at Thiruvananthapuram for select politicians, bureaucrats and a few intellectuals.

No ticket rise for Pazhassi Raja

The fans of the megastar will have a big sigh of relief as Gokulam films, the producers of magnum opus ‘Pazhassi Raja’ have decided not to pursue the demand for a ticket hike. The movie will now release on 16th as per the recent intimations. The fans associations of the star have been making all the grand arrangements to receive the biggest of Mammootty's movies. The movie is expected to open in 120 centres in the state of Kerala, for this Diwali.

The producers are going for saturation release, as every five kilometers there will be a screen in Kerala showing the mammoth epic picture. In Thiruvananthapuram the film is releasing in four screens (New, Sreekumar, Kripa and Dhanya) with a total capacity of nearly 4000!

In Ernakulam, it is releasing in three screens (Sarita, Savitha and Sangeetha), while in Kozhikode it is opening in three huge screens (Apsara, Kairali and Radha).

The idea seems to be to gross the maximum revenue in the first week. The buzz created around the film is huge, so it will take a gigantic opening. The MT Vasudevan Nair- Hariharan-Mammootty trio who last came together in the super hit Vadakkan Veeragatha, nearly two decades ago is back with another potential winner.

Mammootty, speaking on the sidelines of the FEFSI conference in Chennai told reporters: “ Pazhassi Raja will be a landmark movie that is sure going to create history. I’m very happy the way the film has shaped out.”

Pazhassi Raja will make it to 120 screens across Kerala from Friday October 16.

Shah Rukh does it free for Mammootty!

When the director of Pazhassi Raja, T Hariharan met Shah Rukh Khan to request him to do the prologue of the film, he was in for a pleasant surprise. The King Khan not only agreed to it immediately but also made it clear that he would not accept a dime for it! Shah Rukh was impressed by Pazhassi Raja’s story as he is considered to be one of the frontrunners that sought freedom from the British even before the Sepoy Mutiny in 1857.

Interestingly, Mohanlal will do the prologue in the Malayalam version and Kamal Haasan will do it for the Tamil version.

Shah Rukh Khan dubs for Pazhassi Raja!

Malayalam film 'Pazhassi Raja' has super star Mammootty playing the title role and Sarath Kumar playing his deputy.

The film is a historical on 'Pazhassi Raja', played by Mammootty, a native king of Wynad in Malabar area of Kerala. He is said to be one of the first freedom fighters who started a guerilla war against the British.

'Pazhassi Raja' is being dubbed into three other Indian languages — Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.

While Kamal Haasan has dubbed a prologue for Mammootty in Tamil, it is Bollywood's global super star Shah Rukh Khan, who has dubbed for the Hindi version. The voice over for the Malayalam original has been done by Mohanlal.

Kamal Hassan dubs for Pazhassi Raja!

Kamal Hassan has dubbed a prologue for Mammootty's MT Vasudevan Nair written Hariharan directed magnum opus Pazhassi Raja in Tamil and Shah Rukh Khan has dubbed for it in Hindi.

The film is a historical on Pazhassi Raja played by Mammootty, a native king of Wynad in Malabar area of Kerala. He is said to be one of the first freedom fighters who started a guerilla war against the British.

Tamil actor Sarath Kumar makes his Malayalam debut playing Edachena Kunkan, Pazhassi Raja's 'Thalapathy' (Commander in Chief).

Remember it was Mohanlal who introduces Pazhassi Raja to the audiences through a 45 second prologue in the Malayalam original.

In the Tamil version Kamal Hassan did the prologue while Shah Rukh Khan does it in Hindi.

Says one of the producers of the film Gokulam Praveen: ' Kamal sir knew the subject and he is a fan of MT Vasudevan Nair one of the greatest writers in India. In the Tamil version Jayamohan the famous Tamil writer is translating MT's dialogues. Kamal sir went out of his way to accommodate us when we requested him to dub the prologue. His introductory voice over has made the film richer.'

Pazhassi Raja audio launched in Kochi

The audio of Hariharan- MT Vasudevan Nair epic Pazhassi Raja was launched at the auditorioum of Gokulam Park in Kochi on Sunday (Sep 20) evening.

It was one of the best conducted events in Kochi recently.

The audio was launched when Mammootty handed over an a CD of the music of the film to Tamil superstar Sarath Kumar, who is also featuring in the film.

Ilayaraja the music director of the film could not attend the function as he was away on a foreign tour.

Mammootty said he was proud to be associated with the movie on Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, the legendary king and freedom fighter in Kerala's Malabar region, who fought the first war of independence against the British men.

The other important guest at the function was Oscar winning sound mixer Resul Pookutty who said he was very fortunate to have been associated with the film in which legends like writer M T Vasudevan Nair, maestro Ilayaraaja, Hariharan and superstar Mammootty are involved.

Pazhassi Raja postponed to October 16

Malayalam's first world class movie Pazhassi Raja by M T Vasudevan and Hariharan featuring Mammootty in the title role is to be delayed again. Gokulam Films, the producers of the film had planned to release the film on October 2nd, the day of Gandhi Jayanti and they had announced the same as well. But now it seems that the movie would release only on October 16.

Pazhassi Raja would be releasing in most of the major languages like Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu in as many as 560 theatres. Another highlight is that Mammootty has rendered voice for his title character Pazhassi Raja in all the languages. The dubbing process for other languages excluding Malayalam and Tamil has not been completed and this happens to be the major obstacle in the worldwide release of Pazhassi Raja. In America itself Pazhassi Raja would release in as many as 20 theatres and that is indeed a welcome sign.

First look: Mammootty's Pazhassi Raja

When Jnanapith award winner, M T Vasudevan Nair, director Hariharan and actor Mammootty came together last in Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha (1989), they created magic on celluloid.

Now they are ready with another Malayalam magnum opus, on the life of King Pazhassi Raja titled Pazhassi Raja.

Pazhassi Raja belonged to the Kottayam Royal family in Thalassery. He had helped the British in their fight against Tipu Sulthan. But after the British imposed heavy taxes directly on the rulers, Pazhassi Raja turned against them during the mid 1790s. Pazhassi Raja waged a guerrilla war against the British from Wynad, with a group of Nairs and Kurichiyas in the early 1800s.

With the appointment of the young British officer, Thomas Harvey Baber as the sub-collector of Thalassery in 1804, the going became tough for Pazhassi Raja and as per certain history books; he died swallowing his ring in 1805. But the grapevine has it that the end of Pazhassi Raja, as mentioned in the some history books, has been proven wrong in the film. As Thomas Harvey Baber later said, "He was our enemy, but he was a great man, a great warrior."

In Oru Vadakkan Veera Gadha, M T Vasudevan Nair made the character Chandu played by Mammootty a hero though in the folklores, he was called Chathiyan Chandu (Chandu who cheated). The writer also wrote Randamoozham, (Mahabharatam retold) from the perspective of Bhima. Similarly, in all probability, viewers can expect a story of Pazhassi Raja, hitherto unknown to all of us, in the film.

Pazhassi Raja, produced by Gokulam Gopalan, took some time in the making but has been eagerly awaited ever since the project was announced.

Mammootty plays Pazhassi Raja, while Kaniha is doing the role of his wife, Kaitheri Makkom. The star cast also includes Sarath Kumar, Suman, Padmapriya, Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar and a few foreign actors.

Hariharan and M T has teamed up earlier to make some of the finest films in Malayalam; other than Oru Vadakkan Veeragadha, Parinayam, Panchagni, Nakhakshathangal, Amrutham Gamaya, Aranyakam, Idavazhiyile Poocha Mindapoocha and Valarthu Mrugangal. The two had contemplated making a few other stories this time but finally decided to make the film on Pazhassi Raja. Legendary producer-director Kunchacko of Udaya Studios had earlier made a film on Pazhassi Raja in 1964.

Pazhassi Raja, without doubt the most eagerly awaited film during recent years, has a prologue on the ruler by Mohanlal. Oscar award winner Resul Pookkutty has done the sound designing of Pazhassi Raja. Music maestro Illayaraja is the music director.

Pazhassi Raja, as the legendary ruler was, would be a cut above the rest.

Mammoootty at Pazhassi Raja website launch

Sri Gokulam Movies, historical film Pazhassi Raja which is being made in five languages, has now launched a website.

The event was marked by the presence of Mega Star Mammootty who plays the Prince in the title role. Supreme Star Sarath Kumar was the other invitee who is playing the role of his Thalapathy in the film.

Talking about the film, Mammootty said: "The film is about one of the first freedom fighters who fought against the British. He suffered many losses due to this war. Not only did he lose his throne and palace but also his unborn child. But he was a special Prince who brought every strata of society together to fight this war of freedom. The support of his people was his biggest strength. The film will have every emotion and sentiment possible from patriotism and heroism to human relationships. The film will remind us what it's like to live without freedom and of how precious it is."



In answer to questions, Mammootty said he was open to acting in Tamil films and agreed that Tamil films were doing extremely well in Kerala.

Sarath Kumar added, "We have used no computer graphics and the shots of the war scenes etc are all shot realistically. I am very happy to be working with Mamootty for the first time in a Tamil film. Such associations bring our hidden talents to the fore."

The film has two other heroes in Suresh Krishna and Manoj K Jayan. Suman plays the villain. Kaniha who plays a princess and Padmapriya who plays a tribal are doing the female lead.

The music is by Illayaraja who has done the recording in Hungary using the symphony orchestra there to get the desired effect.



The movie will be released on October 2nd.

Pazhassiraja postponed to October 2, Loudspeaker on September 18th

Mammootty's big Ramzan release due on September 18, Hariharan's epic Pazhassi Raja which got censored with an 'UA' certificate, has been postponed by two weeks!

The new date of release of the film is October 2, Gandhi Jayanthi- Pooja festival weekend.

The CG and DI work of the film has to be completed and it is taking time. The film was censored on August 31, so that it will be eligible for Panorama selection.

So now Mammootty, the smartest guy in showbiz is preponing the release of his Jayaraj directed Loud Speaker from October 2 to September 18.

The film too has been censored on August 31, with a clean 'U' certificate.

Most of the theatres which had booked Pazhassi Raja has been taken over by Loud Speaker distributors Time Ads, the film carries very good reports. It looks like Mammootty will get a solo release.

Pazhassi Raja to be censored

Hariharan-M.T. Vasudevan-Mammootty team's much-awaited biopic magnum opus historical film Pazhassi Raja, being made in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, will go before the Censors on August 31 (Monday) at Thiruvananthapuram Regional Censors. Pazhassi Raja is expected to hit screens on September 18.

Produced by Gokulam Gopalan under the banner of Gokulam Films, the film has Mammootty playing the title role of legendary ruler and warrior Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja, who took on the British in the forests of Malabar in the 18th century.

Popular Tamil-Telugu actor Suman plays the villain, Pazhaiveetan Chandu and Tamil actor Sarathkumar plays Edachena Kunkan, the chief lieutenant of Pazhassi Raja. Thilakan dons the role of king Kurubranaad, who revolted and plotted against Pazhassi Raja.

Jagathy Sreekumar dons the role of Kannara Menon, an employee of the British Government. Padmapriya and Kanihaa are the heroines. Manoj K. Jayan, Peter Handley Evans and Harry Key play pivotal roles in the film which has music by maestro Ilayaraja and songs penned by poet O.N.V. Kurup. Pazhassi Raja is made with the biggest-ever budget for a Malayalam movie, rumoured to be more than 25 crores.