Eventually, Radha and Raghavan elope and marry, leaving Achootty heartbroken. While Raghavan gradually proves himself to be a capable and hard-working fisherman, earning Achootty’s silent admiration, Achootty still publicly mocks him, taunting Raghavan to catch a shark to prove his worth before daring to engage with him. Frustrated by the constant mockery, Raghavan decides to venture into the deep sea alone to capture a shark. Unfortunately, his inexperience leads to disaster, and when he doesn’t return, the villagers suspect that Achootty has killed him. Even Radha begins to doubt her father, fearing he may have harmed her husband.
With nothing left to lose, Achootty sets out into the stormy sea and discovers Raghavan unconscious among the wreckage of his boat. Though the villagers eventually recognise Achootty’s innocence, he feels betrayed by their earlier suspicions. Saddened and disheartened, he takes his catamaran and ventures into the sea, declaring that the ocean is the only entity that has loved him unconditionally.
The film score was composed by the maestro Johnson, while the soundtrack features four beloved songs composed by Raveendran, with lyrics by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.
It was no surprise that Amaram won a National Award and three state awards. KPAC Lalitha received the National Award for Second Best Actress, as well as Kerala State’s Best Second Actress Award, for her exemplary performance in the movie. The film also earned Madhu Ambat the state’s Best Cinematographer Award and Murali the Second Best Actor Award.
Recently, the Malayalam film industry has seen a trend of mega re-releases of cherished films. Two of the most nostalgic Malayalam movies to be re-released in 2024 were Sibi Malayil’s Devadoothan and Fazil’s Manichitrathazhu.
Devadoothan (The Heavenly Messenger) is a 2000 Indian Malayalam-language musical horror film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by Raghunath Paleri. Starring Mohanlal and produced by Siyad Koker, the film features original songs and a score composed by Vidyasagar. Although it underperformed at the box office, it received critical acclaim and has since developed a cult following. Devadoothan won three Kerala State Film Awards, including Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, Best Music Director, and Best Costume Designer.
A digitally remastered 4K Dolby Atmos Director’s Cut of the movie was released on July 26, 2024, and reportedly became a commercial success after its re-release. Another Mohanlal film directed by Fazil, Manichitrathazhu, was also re-released in September 2024, marking 30 years since its original release. This film was directed alongside three other directors, including Priyadarshan, Sibi Malayil, Siddique and Lal.
