Latest news with #Manichitrathazhu
India.com
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress, single mother, who worked in over 200 films, still unmarried at 55, is now..., her name is..., Hema Malini's mother was her...
Meet actress, single mother, who worked in over 200 films, still unmarried at 55, is now..., her name is..., Hema Malini's mother was her... Shobana Chandrakumar Pillai, popularly known by her screen-name Shobana is one of the most sought-after actresses in South Indian cinema. In a career spanning over four decades, she worked in over 200 films in various languages. Moreover, she also featured opposite superstars like Nandamuri Balakrishna, Venkatesh, Chiranjeevi, Akkineni Nagarjuna, Mohan Babu, Rajendra Prasad, and many more. Shobana was introduced to films by Hema Malini's mother, Jaya Chakravarthy, who saw her while she was with her aunt, renowned actress Padmini. She started working at the mere age of 14. Soon, after making her debut with the film April 18 , she became a lead heroine in the Malayalam industry. Shobana secured two National awards, one for Best Actress in 1993 for her performance in AM Fazil's Manichitrathazhu, another came in 2001 for her role in film Mitr, My Friend . She took a break from films in 2020 to focus on Bharatnatyam, and also runs her own dance school, Kalarpana in Chennai. However in 2024, she made a smashing comeback to films with Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD , starring Prabhas, Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, and Disha Patani in prominent roles. Moreover, she is currently grabbing headlines for her reunion with Malayalam superstar, Mohanlal after 15 years, in the film Thudarum . Released on April 25, 2025, the film became a box office success, grossing Rs 236 crore globally. Despite being one of the most successful actresses, Shobana chose to remain unmarried and is still single at the age of 55. In a throwback interview as quoted by BollywoodShaadis, Shobana revealed why she never got married, 'Well, I am not particularly against the institution of marriage in anyways. I haven't found the time for it amidst my busy schedule. Maybe I haven't spotted the right guy. And for that matter, I have seen only a few marriages that work. That can also be one of the reasons.' She said. In 2011, Shobana became a single mom, as she adopted a baby girl Anantha Narayani. She prefers to keep her daughter away from the limelight, and restricted her pictures to be uploaded on any of her social media pages.
India.com
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This film made lead actress an overnight star, earned Rs 82 crore, Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukerji rejected film due to..., actress was..., film was...
This film made lead actress an overnight star, earned Rs 82 crore, Aishwarya Rai, Rani Mukerji rejected film due to..., actress was..., film was... Vidya Balan is indeed one of the finest actresses of Bollywood. With a glorious career spanning decades, she created a nice for herself in the entertainment industry with her impeccable talent and unconventional portrayals. But among all the superhit films Vidya Balan has starred in, one that made her an overnight sensation, is her role as Avni and Manjulika in Priyadarshan's widely acclaimed 2007 release Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Making her much-praise debut in Parineeta , Vidya impressed audiences with her flawless performance in Pradeep Sarkar's directorial. Two years following her debut, she starred in Bhool Bhulaiyaa opposite Akshay Kumar, Ameesha Patel, and Shiney Ahuja. The film is the remake of the 1993 Malayalam-language film Manichitrathazhu , and saw Vidya portraying a complex and challenging character. While today, it is hard to imagine any other actress stepping in to play the role of Manjulika or Avni, however, you will be surprised to know that Vidya Balan wasn't the first choice of director Priyadarshan for Bhool Bhulaiyaa. The role was first offered to Aishwarya Rai, but the actress rejected it as she wasn't sure to play a haunted character. Rani Mukerji, was too offered the role, but she didn't show much interest, and eventually the role went to Vidya Balan, whose effortless performance made her earn widespread recognition. Released on October 12, 2007, Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a critical as well as a commercial success. Made in a reported budget of Rs 32 crore, the film earned over Rs 82 crore worldwide. The horror comedy drama also starred Paresh Rawal, Manoj Joshi, and Rajpal Yadav in key roles.
Pink Villa
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
10 Malayalam horror movies you can watch on OTT: Bramayugam, Adi Kapyare Kootamani, Ezra and more
Malayalam cinema has always been known for its variety in genre and had begun its tryst with horror ever since the film Bhargavi Nilayam, which was released in the early 1960s. If you're a fan of horror films, be it with any sub-genre like romance or comedy, you should definitely check out these Malayalam ventures on OTT. 10 Malayalam horror movies to watch on OTT 1. Bramayugam (2024) Bramayugam, starring Mammootty in the lead role, is a folklore-based period horror venture. The film features the tale of a Thevan, a travelling singer who escaped from Portuguese slave traders and wound up at an eerie mansion. At the abode, under the care of its landlord Kodumon Potti, the Thevan is welcomed as a guest. However, he soon realizes he is trapped within the walls of the mansion with no escape and understands that Potti is also not who he is. 2. Nine (2019) Nine is a sci-fi horror film that is written and directed by Jenuse Mohamed. The movie focuses on the story of Dr Albert Lewis, a widower scientist who ventures out into the Himalayas for astronomical research with his son and a few colleagues. In a global-level crisis, a comet's impending EM pulse is set to disable all modern devices for nine days. With Albert and his son sharing a distant relationship, things are set to go awry with a mysterious person coming into their lives for 9 days, questioning everything and everyone. 3. Romancham (2023) Romancham follows the story of seven bachelors who stay together in a house in Bengaluru. Each being a character of their own wild personality, Jibin Madhavan, aka Jibi holds a séance using an Ouija board to trick their friends. However, things take a turn when they actually come across a ghost, leading to several humorous moments. The film is based on real-life experiences that occurred to director Jithu Madhavan, on whom the main protagonist is based. 4. Manichitrathazhu (1993) Cast: Mohanlal, Shobana, Suresh Gopi, Thilakan, Nedumudi Venu, Innocent, Vinaya Prasad Where to watch: Amazon Prime Video, JioHotstar, YouTube An ever iconic movie in Malayalam horror cinema culture would be Mohanlal starrer Manichitrathazhu. The Fazil directorial film is a psychological horror thriller which is inspired by a true tragedy that occurred in the Alummoottil tharavad, where the inheritor and his domestic worker girl were murdered, giving rise to several local legends. The film focuses on how a newlywed couple travels to the husband's ancestral home, which is said to be haunted by the ghost of a dancer, killed by his ancestor. 5. Adi Kapyare Kootamani (2015) Adi Kapyare Kootamani is a comedy horror movie, taking place inside a men's hostel. After Bhanu Prasad, a young guy helps a girl to enter the hostel without anyone finding out, the film mostly depends on how he manages to get her out with his friends' help. Using the guise of a ghost, the gang weaves a story with some truth coming their way. 6. Anandabhadram (2005) Anandabhadram is a folklore dark fantasy horror movie based on a novel of the same name. The film, directed by Santosh Sivan, features the tale of Anandan, a young man from America who returns to his mother's ancestral village to light a lamp at a sacred temple draped in dark mystery. However, a powerful wizard from the place stands against the lightning and any sacred activities being conducted in order to get his hands on a Nagamanikyam. 7. Winter (2009) The movie Winter, starring Jayaram in the lead role, is an underrated slasher horror venture from Malayalam cinema that promises eerie and thrilling moments. Escaping from the fast-paced life in a city, a doctor, along with his family, visits an old bungalow where many sinister events unfold. 8. In Ghost House Inn (2010) The 3rd installment in a comedy film franchise called In Harihar Nagar, the movie takes a genre shift to become a horror-comedy focusing on an infamous bungalow. With four friends reuniting to showcase the place is not to be feared, the movie takes us on a spree of laugh-out-loud moments. 9. Bhoothakalam (2022) Bhoothakalam is a psychological horror film that tells the tale of a single mother and her son who experience mysterious events after a family member's death. 10. Ezra (2017) Ezra, inspired by the Hollywood movie The Possession, follows the life of Ranjan, a nuclear waste management specialist who shifts from Mumbai to Kochi with his wife. After seeking their solace in a new home, horrific events unfold which is tied to a mysterious box.
India Today
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Jyothika was first choice for Mohanlal's Thudarum before Shobana, says director
When 'Thudarum' was announced as the on-screen reunion of Mohanlal and Shobana after 20 years, it instantly sparked nostalgia and excitement among Malayalam cinema fans. But director Tharun Moorthy recently revealed that actor Jyothika was first approached for the role of Lalitha before Shobana came on a recent interview with Red FM, Tharun said, 'Shobana was always on our mind for Lalitha. But we weren't sure how to get in touch with her. So we began exploring alternatives. We were looking for someone who hadn't acted with Mohanlal before. That's when we thought of Jyothika.'advertisementSharing his experience of narrating the script, the director said, 'Jyothika and Suriya were very excited when I narrated the story, but her dates clashed with a planned family world tour.' Not wanting to push her into the project, Tharun eventually decided to contact Shobana, who had always been their ideal choice. Talking about Shobana's reaction, Tharun said, 'That question kept lingering in my mind: Wouldn't Mohanlal and Shobana be the combination that Malayali viewers want to watch? We decided to contact Shobana, and she was also interested in coming back to movies. She said if the script and space were right, and if I made her feel comfortable, then she would do the film.'The resulting casting brings Mohanlal and Shobana back together after their last full-length collaboration in 'Mambazhakkalam' (2004). The duo also shared screen space in the iconic 'Manichitrathazhu' (1993), 'Minnaram' (1994), and 'Pavithram' (1994).advertisementContrary to speculation, 'Thudarum' is not a crime thriller. In an interview, Tharun clarified that it is a grounded family drama. The story is inspired by a real-life incident involving a man named Sunil. The film also stars Farhaan Faasil, Maniyanpilla Raju, Binu Pappu, and Irshad Ali. It is written by KR Sunil, with music composed by Jakes Bejoy, and produced by Aashirvad Cinemas and Rejaputhra Release. 'Thudarum' is set to release in theatres on April 25.
Indian Express
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
From Nadodikkattu to Manichitrathazhu, and now Thudarum: Mohanlal, Shobana's definitive guide to phenomenal on-screen chemistry
From Raj Kapoor-Nargis Dutt, Dilip Kumar-Vyjayanthimala, Prem Nazir-Sheela and MG Ramachandran (MGR)-Saroja Devi to Amitabh Bachchan-Rekha, Kamal Haasan-Sridevi, and Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol, Indian cinema has never had a dearth of iconic on-screen couples. In fact, these jodis continue to enthral even the younger generations of audiences, thanks to these actors' extraordinary ability to create magic on screen, both individually and together. What makes Mohanlal and Shobana's collaborations equally brilliant and endearing is their ability to form strong connections with each other on a very subconscious and emotional level, irrespective of the kind of dynamic they share on screen. While they are a romantic couple in Nadodikkattu, the two are just close friends in Fazil's classic psychological thriller Manichitrathazhu (1993) – to be precise, Ganga (Shobana) met Dr Sunny Joseph (Mohanlal) through her husband Nakulan (Suresh Gopi), as the two men have been friends for a long time. Nonetheless, they manage to establish a deep rapport almost immediately while staying true to the dynamic between their characters. Watch and fall in love with Mohanlal and Shobana's 'Vaisakha Sandhye': In their first proper on-screen interaction, we see Ganga and Sunny casually discussing all the inexplicable incidents that have been happening in the Madampalli mansion, widely believed to be haunted, and the legends surrounding it. In a scene that holds significant importance in the narrative, although the reason is revealed only towards the end, we see the two masters at work, brilliantly portraying the friendship between them that's in its adolescent stage. As the movie progresses, we see the two characters slowly becoming anchored in each other and tethered emotionally, despite there not being any romantic linkup between Ganga and Sunny, in contrast to the many other films featuring Mohanlal and Shobana in the lead roles. When they shared the screen for the first time in director KS Sethumadhavan's Avidathe Pole Ivideyum (1985), Mohanlal was 25 and Shobana was just 15. She had just transitioned from a child artiste to a leading actor and was delivering notable performances one after the other. Mohanlal, meanwhile, was slowly cementing his status as a star and had already done over 50 films. Yet, something about the two's chemistry immediately clicked with the audience. Sukumaran (Mohanlal) and Sujatha's (Shobana) initial meeting, slow descent into love, marriage, the problems they face in their marital life and their eventual reconciliation impressed people, particularly owing to their performances and the way they gelled well as performers almost instantaneously. Hence, they quickly grabbed the attention of 'Hitmaker' J Sasikumar, who cast them in the lead roles in his family drama Azhiyatha Bandhangal (1985). As a couple in a cross-class romance, Mohanlal and Shobana won the hearts of audiences once again, slowly becoming a bankable duo. Mohanlal and Shobana in Vellanakalude Nadu. (Credit: The Complete Actor) Mohanlal and Shobana in Ulladakkam. (Credit: The Complete Actor) From the emotionally mismatched couple in Anubandham (1985) and star-crossed lovers in Rangam (1985) to impactful collaborations in TP Balagopalan MA (1986), Kunjattakilikal (1986), Iniyum Kurukshetrum (1986), Abhayam Thedi (1986) and Padayani (1986), the couple impressed the masses whenever they appeared together on screen. As the years progressed, filmmakers also started exploring mature romances with them, going beyond the typical 'happily ever after' trope. While Priyadarshan's Vellanakalude Nadu (1988) had Mohanlal and Shobana playing college sweethearts who went through an ugly breakup and crossed each other's paths later in life, films like Aryan (1988), Kamal's Ulladakkam (1991), TK Rajeev Kumar's Pavithram (1994) and Pakshe (1994) featured them as tragic couples whose love wasn't meant to last. They also appeared in Sibi Malayil's Maya Mayuram (1993), which ended without showing their characters getting together (although they might have eventually). During this era, they also worked in movies such as Vasantha Sena (1985) and Vasthuhara (1991), albeit their characters never shared the screen. Mohanlal and Shobana in Thenmavin Kombath. (Credit: The Complete Actor) In 1994 itself, Priyadarshan explored both ends of the romantic spectrum with Mohanlal and Shobana in the central roles. While Thenmavin Kombathu brought back all the beloved vintage elements that audiences cherished about their collaboration, the filmmaker dealt a powerful emotional blow with the romantic tragedy Minnaram. Not just romantic and emotional moments, but the two actors complemented each other in comedic scenes too, elevating their performances in these movies. At the same time, Mohanlal and Shobana delivered exceptional performances and shared a matchless chemistry, making their journey and the union in Thenmavin Kombathu and separation in Minnaram truly unforgettable. In spite of immense popularity and never missing the mark, their next film together, IV Sasi's Sradha (2000), arrived only six years later. Despite it marking the on-screen reunion of Malayalam cinema's most beloved couple, Sasi failed to capitalise on the hype, and the movie failed to impress the audience as it offered nothing more than the Mohanlal-Shobana charm. Mohanlal and Shobana in Minnaram. (Credit: The Complete Actor) The two joined forces yet again three years later for Joshiy's Mampazhakkalam, where they played a middle-aged bachelor and a single mother, who were childhood sweethearts but separated by fate and finally find their way back to each other. Although a superhit, the movie was ruined by the overinclusion of commercial elements. If not for these gimmicks, Mampazhakkalam, at its core, had enough potential to be a timeless romance like Oru Cheru Punchiri (2000), considering its interesting premise and having two of the industry's finest performers in the lead roles. Interestingly, Shobana did only two more films in the 2000s decade, and the last one was also a Mohanlal-starrer, Sagar Alias Jacky Reloaded (2009). Much like Manichitrathazhu, this Amal Neerad directorial also had them playing just friends, but the two thespians once again proved why there isn't another acting duo like them in Malayalam as they brought out another facet of their chemistry with finesse. Film star Shobhana and Mohanlal in Sradha. (Express archive photo) Just like 'Vaisakha Sandhye', the timelessness of tracks like 'Sreeraagamo Thedunnu', 'Karutha Penne', 'Chinkara Kinnaram', 'Oru Vallam Ponnum Poovum' and 'Anthiveyil Ponnuthirum' also needs to be attributed to the acting brilliance of the two thespians, who have bagged the National Film Awards for Best Actor twice, each. With Mohanlal and Shobana returning as an on-screen couple after 21 years in Thudarum, the Malayali audience can only wait restlessly to watch what would hit our hearts as visuals showing 'Dasan and Radha in a parallel universe'. Cinema cannot exist in a vacuum; it's all about the discussions that follow. In the Cinema Anatomy column, we delve into the diverse layers and dimensions of films, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourses.
