72.80.211.218: /* Cast */

2021-08-27T00:33:45Z

Cast

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{{short description|2001 Indian film}}
{{More citations needed|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Praja
| image = Praja.jpg
| caption = Poster
| director = [[Joshiy]]
| producer = [[Joshiy]] [[Renji Panicker]]
| writer = [[Renji Panicker]]
| narrator =
| starring = [[Mohanlal]] [[Cochin Haneefa]] [[Biju Menon]] [[Manoj K Jayan]] [[Babu Namboothiri]] [[Aishwarya (actress)|Aishwarya]]
| music = C. Rajamani (Score) [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]] (Songs)
| cinematography = Sanjeev Shankar
| editing = K. Sankunny P. C. Mohanan
| studio = Mukyadhara
| distributor = [[Swargachitra Appachan|Swargachitra]]
| released = 14 December 2001
| runtime = 187 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
}}

'''''Praja''''' ({{trans|Citizen}}) is a 2001 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[political thriller]] film directed by [[Joshiy]] and written by [[Renji Panicker]]. It was also produced by Joshiy and Panicker. The film stars [[Mohanlal]], [[Cochin Haneefa]], [[Biju Menon]], [[Manoj K Jayan]] and [[Babu Namboothiri]]. Bollywood actor [[Anupam Kher]] appears in a guest role. The film's songs were composed by [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]], while C. Rajamani provided the background score.<ref>{{cite web|last=Warrier|first=Shobha|date=29 January 2001|title=Aishwarya... unbound!|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/2001/jan/29aish.htm|access-date=8 February 2017|website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=24 April 2003|title=Praja|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/praja-review-malayalam-pclunFceecebe.html|access-date=2021-01-10|website=[[Sify]]}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2020}}
Ex-underworld don Zakkir Ali Hussein, after giving up violence, is settled peacefully in the suburbs of [[Kochi]]. It was under the strong influence of his foster father, Bappu Haji Mustafa, that he left [[Mumbai]]. An unsuccessful assassination attempt on Haji Mustafa in Mumbai by Raman Naik, an underworld don ignites old wounds in Hussein. He, despite repeated pleas from Haji Mustafa and Ilanthaloor Rama Varma, a father like figure, sets out to Mumbai along with his trusted lieutenant Hamid Plavilakandi Mather, alias Malayalees.

With the help of his friend Arjun, Hussein kills down Raman Naik and reaches back in Kochi. On his way back, at Kochi, he meets up with Maya Mary Kurien, Asst. Commissioner of Police, who slowly starts developing a crush on him. Later, Hussein is visited by Balaraman, a liquor baron and a former M.P and M.L.A, who warns Hussein of dire consequences if he continues to interfere in the Mumbai crime world. He also attempts to woo Hussein, but the latter refuses to bow down, sending strong warning to Balaraman and his group.

Balaraman, along with Devadevan Nambiar, alias DD, and Arun Naik, the brother of Raman Naik in Mumbai, is planning to finish off Hussein and Haji Mustafa to regain the lost turf in Mumbai. They are supported by the tainted, savage and two-faced Lahayil Vakkachan, Home Minister of Kerala. Joseph Madachery, the D.I.G of police conducts a raid at Haji Mustafa's poor home on behalf of Vakachan, and beats up Rama Varma Thirumulpad brutally, but the sudden arrival of Hussein saves him. Joseph is severely beaten by Zakir in full public presence, which infuriates Balaraman and DD, who try to demoralize Hussein by publishing fabricated stories about his relationship with ACP Maya Kurein and inmates of Haji Mustafa Trust's destitute home.

Then enters David Abraham IPS, who was the sidekick of Hussein. He goes to meet Lahayil Vakachan who tries to create a truce between Hussein and Balaraman, but fails miserably and gets violently berated and stripped in the presence of a lady M.L.A by Hussein. This leads to a series of problems, including the arrest of Jaganathan (Appu), a close buddy of Hussein, on false narcotic drug charges from Haji Mustafa Trust. Left with no other option, Hussein decides to meet the Chief Minister for Appu's release from unlawful apprehension. Then, Joseph arrests Hussein for providing refuge to Appu and hoarding drugs in the trust's medicine store (a forged charge) - later, Hussein is released.

A well coordinated murder attempt is made on Hussein by professional assassins hired from Bombay, he escapes valiantly - defeating the hitmen. Jaganathan is killed in police custody. Balaraman and DD kills Rama Varma Thirumulpad, which prompts Hussein to take the law in his own hands. At a public gathering - a three day convention organised to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Vakkachan's political entry - while addressing thousands of party workers, Hussein enters by duping police and exposes the real intentions Lahayil Vakkachan, Balaraman, Devadevan and Joseph to the public. Despite the warnings from police chief commandos and beggings from the victims themselves, Hussein, Malayalees, David and Arjun tie them up and place a bomb in a flower bag. Hussein throws the remote on the ground and due to severe running stampedes, the bomb explodes killing Lahayil Vakkachan, Balaraman, DD and Joseph. Hussein, Malayalees, David and Arjun are proud for finishing their mission.

== Cast ==
*[[Mohanlal]] as Zakkir Ali Hussein
*[[Cochin Haneefa]] as Hamid Plaavullakandi Methar / Malayalees
*[[Biju Menon]] as Arjun
*[[Manoj K. Jayan]] as SP David Abraham IPS
*[[Babu Namboothiri]] as Ramavarma Thirumalpadu
*[[Aishwarya (actress)|Aishwarya]] as ASP Maya Mary Kurien IPS
*[[N. F. Varghese]] as Lahayil Vakkachan, Home Minister of Kerala
*[[Shammi Thilakan]] as Balaraman Konarak
*[[Vijayaraghavan (actor)|Vijayaraghavan]] as Devadevan Nambiar (DD)
*[[Baburaj (actor)|Baburaj]] as DIG Joseph Madacherry IPS
*[[Vijayakumar (Malayalam actor)|Vijayakumar]] as Jagannathan alias Appu
*[[Jagannatha Varma]] as Mannel Mammachan
*[[Mahesh Anand]] as Raman Naik
*[[Suresh Krishna (actor)|Suresh Krishna]] as Unni Pisharodi, a journalist
*[[Sukumari]] as Bhanumathi, Appu's Mother
*[[Sandra Amy]] as Alice, Arjun's Girlfriend
*[[Subair]] as CI Somendran
*[[Sindhu Shyam]] as Parukkutty
*[[Ponnamma Babu]] as Girija
*[[Irshad (actor)|Irshad]] as Sundaram, the driver
*[[Jose Pellissery]] as Father Peter
*[[Ravali]] as Diana
*Nandhu Pothuval as Politician Raghavan Kurup
*Jolly Easow as Kunjumol MLA
*[[Devan (actor)|Devan]] as Police Officer (Guest Appearance)
*[[Anupam Kher]] as Haji Mustafa (Guest Appearance)

==Release==
The film was released on 14 Decemberber 2001.

===Box office===
The film received mixed reviews from the critics, and it was an average hit at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/2003/nov/01south.htm|title=Dileep's stroke of luck|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1 November 2003}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/quest-for-perfection/article2455824.ece|title=Quest for perfection|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=15 September 2011}}</ref>

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Praja
| type = Soundtrack
| artist = [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 19 July 2001
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre = [[Popular music]]
| language = [[Malayalam]], [[Hindi]]
| length =
| label = [[Satyam Audios]]
| producer = M. G. Radhakrishnan
| prev_title = [[Pilots (film)|Pilots]]
| prev_year = 2000
| next_title = [[Megasandesam]]
| next_year = 2001
}}

The features songs composed by [[M. G. Radhakrishnan]], and written by [[Girish Puthenchery|Gireesh Puthenchery]], [[M. D. Rajendran]], and M. P. Muralidharan. The soundtrack also includes the song "Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai" from the 1953 film ''[[Anarkali (1953 film)|Anarkali]]''. The soundtrack album was released by [[Satyam Audios]] on 19 July 2001.<ref>{{cite web|title=Praja (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by M. G. Radhakrishnan|url=https://music.apple.com/in/album/praja-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/1473655900|access-date=24 April 2020|website=[[iTunes]]}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Praja (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Allikalil
| lyrics1 = [[M. D. Rajendran]]
| extra1 = [[M. G. Sreekumar]]
| note1 = Male Version; [[Raga]]: [[Hindolam]]
| length1 = 5:10

| title2 = Chandhanamani
| lyrics2 = [[Gireesh Puthenchery]]
| extra2 = M. G. Sreekumar
| note2 = [[Raga]]: Hameer Kalyani
| length2 = 5:28

| title3 = Chandhanamani
| lyrics3 = Gireesh Puthenchery
| extra3 = M. G. Sreekumar, [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| note3 = Duet Version
| length3 = 5:27

| title4 = Aaja
| lyrics4 = M. P. Mralidharan
| extra4 = [[Vasundara Das]], [[Mohanlal]]
| length4 = 4:33

| title5 = Akaleyanengilum
| lyrics5 = M. D. Rajendran
| extra5 = M. G. Sreekumar
| length5 = 5:18

| title6 = Allikalil
| lyrics6 = M. D. Rajendran
| extra6 = M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan
| length6 = 5:10

| title7 = Yeh Zindagi
| lyrics7 = [[Rajendra Krishan]]
| extra7 = Sujatha Mohan
| note7 = Music: [[C. Ramchandra]]
| length7 = 5:13
}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|0287637}}

{{Joshiy}}

[[Category:Films directed by Joshiy]]
[[Category:2000s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2000s crime films]]
[[Category:2001 films]]
[[Category:2000s action films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]

Praja - Revision history

72.80.211.218: /* Cast */