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|director      = [[Padmarajan]]
|director      = [[Padmarajan]]
|writer        = Padmarajan
|writer        = Padmarajan
|starring      = [[Thilakan]]<br/>[[Jayaram]]<br/>Kirti Singh<br/>[[Jagathi Sreekumar]]<br/>[[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]]<br/>[[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]]<br/>Ajayan
|starring      = [[Jayaram]]<br/>[[Thilakan]]
|producer      = Balan
|producer      = Balan
|cinematography = [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]]
|cinematography = [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]]
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|studio        = Gandhimathi Films
|studio        = Gandhimathi Films
|distributor    = Gandhimathi Films
|distributor    = Gandhimathi Films
|released      = {{Film date|1988|11|04|df=y}}
|released      = {{Film date|1988|11|09|df=y}}
|runtime        =
|runtime        =
|language      = [[Malayalam]]
|language      = [[Malayalam]]
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|gross          =
|gross          =
}}
}}
'''''Moonnam Pakkam''''' ({{lang-en|The Third Day}}) is a 1988 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[Sentimentality|sentimental]] [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Padmarajan]]. It stars [[Jayaram]], [[Thilakan]], Kirti Singh, [[Jagathi Sreekumar]], [[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]], [[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]] and Ajayan.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=2124|title=Moonnaampakkam|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=www.malayalachalachithram.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spicyonion.com/title/the-third-day-malayalam-movie/|title=Moonnaampakkam|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=spicyonion.com}}</ref> Kirti and Ajayan made their debut in this film. This film was also a commercial success. The film is one of Thilakan's most memorable performances.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-24|title=‘Kireedom’ to ‘Akashadoothu’: Ten Malayalam tragedies that dried up my tears|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kireedom-akashadoothu-ten-malayalam-tragedies-dried-my-tears-97286|access-date=2021-07-06|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>
'''''Moonnam Pakkam''''' ({{langx|en|The third day}}) is a 1988 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[drama film]] written and directed by [[Padmarajan]]. It stars [[Jayaram]] and [[Thilakan]], along with Kirti Singh, [[Jagathi Sreekumar]], [[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]], [[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]], Ajayan and [[Surasu]] in supporting roles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=2124|title=Moonnaampakkam|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=www.malayalachalachithram.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://spicyonion.com/title/the-third-day-malayalam-movie/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024164739/http://spicyonion.com/title/the-third-day-malayalam-movie/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=24 October 2014|title=Moonnaampakkam|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=spicyonion.com}}</ref> Kirti and Ajayan made their debut in this film.
 
The film was released on [[Diwali]] day of 9 November 1988. The film was a commercial success. Thilakan's performance in the film is considered one of his most memorable performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title='മുത്തച്ഛന്റെ ഒന്നാം പക്കം' |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/movies/movie-news/2021/09/24/harikrishnan-about-thilakan-moonnam-pakkam.html |access-date=2022-09-19 |website=ManoramaOnline |language=ml}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2019-02-24|title='Kireedom' to 'Akashadoothu': Ten Malayalam tragedies that dried up my tears|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kireedom-akashadoothu-ten-malayalam-tragedies-dried-my-tears-97286|access-date=2021-07-06|website=The News Minute|language=en}}</ref>


==Plot==
==Plot==
Thampi ([[Thilakan]]), who retired as an accountant from Indian Railway in mid-1980s following his son's death leads a solitary life in his ancestral house. Thampi's grandson Bhasker {{aka}} Pachu ([[Jayaram]]) had completed his medicine studies from Bangalore. Thampi is excited when his grandson Pachu, comes along with his friends - Lopez ([[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]]), Renjith Menon ([[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]]) and Krishnankutty (Ajayan) to spend his vacation with grandpa. Their presence brings joy and happiness into Thampi's house. Pachu is engaged to a girl, Bhadra (Kirti Singh) who happened to be the granddaughter of Thampi's friend. During the vacation Pachu and his friends often go to the nearby beach for a swim. During one such visit Pachu and Lopez gets pulled into the ocean and only Lopez manages to escape. The Police and the locals conduct a rescue operation in the ocean but in vain. It is believed among the locals that whatever that is taken by the ocean is returned on the third day (as meant by the title of the movie). Thampi refuses to acknowledge the fact that Pachu is dead and puts on a brave face, consoling Pachu's mother, his friends and Bhadra. Eventually the body is found on the third day. The funeral is held on the same day and Pachu's friends get ready to leave the day after. They all visit the beach one last time to say goodbye to Pachu where they see Thampi arriving with priests to perform the funeral rites of Pachu. While performing the "bali", Thampi, who lost all hope, takes the rice ball/"balichoru" in his hands proceeds to the sea. To everyone's shock Thampi, along with the "balichoru" submits himself to the sea and commits suicide.
Thampi, who retired as an accountant from the [[Indian Railways]] in the mid-1980s following his son's death, leads a solitary life in his ancestral house. Thampi's grandson Bhasker, also known as Bhasi or Pachu, is pursuing his medical studies in [[Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute|Bangalore Medical College]]. Thampi is excited when Bhasi comes along with his friends Lopez, Ranjith Menon, and Krishnankutty to spend his vacation with grandpa. Their presence brings joy and happiness into Thampi's house. Bhasi is engaged to a girl named Bhadra, who happens to be the granddaughter of Thampi's friend, a doctor.
 
During the vacation, Bhasi and his friends often go to the nearby beach for a swim. During one such visit, Bhasi and Lopez are pulled into the ocean, and only Lopez manages to escape. The police and the locals conduct a rescue operation in the ocean but in vain. It is believed among the locals that whatever is taken by the ocean is returned on the third day, as meant by the title of the movie.
 
Thampi refuses to acknowledge the fact that Bhasi is dead and puts on a brave face, consoling Bhasi's mother, his friends, and Bhadra. Eventually, Bhasi's body is found on the third day. The funeral is held on the same day, and Bhasi's friends get ready to leave the day after. They all visit the beach one last time to say goodbye to Bhasi, where they see Thampi arriving with priests to perform the funeral rites of Bhasi.
 
While performing the "bali," Thampi, who had lost all hope, takes the rice ball, "balichoru," in his hands. While taking the riceball, Thampi remembers about the young Bhasi swimming in the sea. By losing all the hope, Thampi proceeds to the sea. To everyone's shock, Thampi, along with the "balichoru," submits himself to the sea and commits suicide.


==Cast==
==Cast==
*[[Thilakan]] as Thampi / Karnavar
{{Cast listing|
*[[Jayaram]] as Bhasker / Bhasi / Pachu
*[[Jayaram]] as Bhaskar aka Bhasi or Pachu, a medical student
*Kirti Singh as Bhadra
*[[Thilakan]] as Thampi, RTD accountant [[Indian Railways]]
*[[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]] as Lopaz
*Kirti Singh as Bhadra,  Bhasi love interest
*[[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]] as Ranjith
*[[Rahman (actor)|Rahman]] as Lopez
*Ajayan as Krishnankutty
*[[Ashokan (actor)|Ashokan]] as Ranjith Menon
*Ajayan Adoor as Krishnankutty
*[[Jagathi Sreekumar]] as Kavala
*[[Jagathi Sreekumar]] as Kavala
*[[Jayabharathi]] as Bhanu (Pachu's mother)
*[[Surasu]] as Doctor
*[[Venu Nagavally]] as Jayan (Pachu's father)
*[[M. G. Soman|Soman]] as Kurup
*[[M. G. Soman|Soman]] as Kurup
 
*[[Jayabharathi]] as Bhanu, Bhasi's Mother
==Crew==
*[[Sulakshana (actress)|Sulakshana]] as Bhasi's Aunt
*Story, screenplay, dialogue and direction - [[P. Padmarajan]]
*Ragini as Bhasi's Aunt
*Producer - Balan
*[[Thesni Khan]] as Vani, Bhadra's Sister
*Banner and distributor - Gandhimathi Films
*[[Venu Nagavally]] as Jayan, Thampi's late son and Bhasi's late father
*Cinematography - Venu
* [[Krishna Prasad (actor)|Krishna Prasad]]
*Editor - B. Lenin
* [[Jagathy N. K. Achary]] as Thampi's Friend
*Art - Kurian Sabarigiri
}}
*Stills - Surya Jones
*Make-up - Mohandas
*Costume design - [[Indrans]]
*Music - [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
*Lyrics - [[Sreekumaran Thampi]]


==Production==
==Production==
Major parts of the film were shot in [[Kanyakumari]] and surrounding places. The locales include Colachel (where the ancestral house is set) and Vatta Kottai (where the fort scene and the song "Thamarakkili" were picturised).
Major portions of the film were shot in [[Kanyakumari]] and its surrounding areas. The locations include [[Colachel]], where the ancestral house is set, and Vatta Kottai, where the fort scene and the song "Thamarakkili" were filmed. The film's art direction was handled by Kurian Sabarigiri, makeup was done by Mohandas, and [[Indrans]] designed the costumes. Surya Jones worked as the film's still photographer. Malayalam playwright [[Surasu]] played a significant role in the film as Thampi's closest friend and Bhadra's grandfather. Another playwright, [[Jagathy N. K. Achary]], made a cameo appearance as one of Thampi's friends in the film.<ref>{{cite news |title='പാർവതി മതം മാറണം, അതു നിർബന്ധമായി ചെയ്യണം': അന്നു പി.സി ജോർജ്ജ് സാറിനെ വിളിച്ചു പപ്പ |url=https://www.vanitha.in/celluloid/celebrity-interview/Jagathy-sreekumar-with-family-opens-up-vanitha-special.html |access-date=21 March 2023 |work=[[Vanitha]] |date=11 July 2022}}</ref>


== Soundtrack ==
== Soundtrack ==


{{Track listing
{{Track listing
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| extra_column = Artist(s)
 
| headline  = Track listing <ref>{{cite web|url=https://malayalasangeetham.info/m.php?4297|title=മൂന്നാം പക്കം (1988)|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=malayalasangeetham.info}}</ref>
| headline  = Track listing <ref>{{cite web|url=http://malayalasangeetham.info/m.php?4297|title=മൂന്നാം പക്കം (1988)|access-date=2014-10-24|publisher=malayalasangeetham.info}}</ref>
| all_lyrics = [[Sreekumaran Thampi]]
| all_lyrics = [[Sreekumaran Thampi]]
| all_music  = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
| all_music  = [[Ilaiyaraaja]]
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| title3 = Unarumee Gaanam
| title3 = Unarumee Gaanam
| extra3 = G. Venugopal, Chorus
| extra3 = G. Venugopal, Chorus
}}


}}
== Contemporary reception ==
In 2019, Aradhya Kurup of ''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote, " It's a breezy watch till a few scenes before climax. But after that you witness one of the most traumatic climax scenes in Malayalam cinema. And Thilakan's performance is such that you go through the whole rollercoaster ride with him."<ref name=":0" /> ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' wrote, "A youthful Jayaram and versatile Thilakan produce a unforgettable display of love and affection between a widower and his grandchild. Thilakan's Thampi is as good as his Kochuvava from ''[[Kattukuthira]]'' (1990) or Achuthan Nair from ''[[Kireedam (1989 film)|Kireedam]]'' (1989) and ''[[Chenkol]]'' (1993), establishing his contendership for the best actor ever in Malayalam."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Vineyards of passion and bloody beaches: 5 eternal Padmarajan films for movie buffs |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/galleries/entertainment/2020/jan/23/vineyards-of-passion-and-bloody-beaches-5-eternal-padmarajan-films-for-movie-buffs-102725.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=The New Indian Express|date=27 January 2020 }}</ref>


[[G. Venugopal]] won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer]] for the song "''Unarumee Gaanam''".
==Awards==
[[G. Venugopal]] won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer]] for the song "Unarumee Gaanam".


==References==
==References==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
* {{imdb title|0249027}}
* {{IMDb title|0249027}}
*[http://www.malluforum.com/about5337-0.html More about the film]


{{Padmarajan}}
{{Padmarajan}}


[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1988 films]]
[[Category:1980s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:1988 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:1988 drama films]]
[[Category:1988 drama films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Indian drama films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kanyakumari]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Padmarajan]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Padmarajan]]
[[Category:Films directed by Padmarajan]]
[[Category:Films directed by Padmarajan]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]
[[Category:Films scored by Ilaiyaraaja]]

Latest revision as of 19:11, 16 March 2026

Moonnam Pakkam
File:Moonnam Pakkam.jpg
Directed byPadmarajan
Produced byBalan
Written byPadmarajan
StarringJayaram
Thilakan
Music byIlaiyaraaja
CinematographyVenu
Edited byB. Lenin
Production
company
Gandhimathi Films
Distributed byGandhimathi Films
Release date
  • 9 November 1988 (1988-11-09)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Moonnam Pakkam (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a 1988 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Padmarajan. It stars Jayaram and Thilakan, along with Kirti Singh, Jagathi Sreekumar, Rahman, Ashokan, Ajayan and Surasu in supporting roles.[1][2] Kirti and Ajayan made their debut in this film.

The film was released on Diwali day of 9 November 1988. The film was a commercial success. Thilakan's performance in the film is considered one of his most memorable performances.[3][4]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Thampi, who retired as an accountant from the Indian Railways in the mid-1980s following his son's death, leads a solitary life in his ancestral house. Thampi's grandson Bhasker, also known as Bhasi or Pachu, is pursuing his medical studies in Bangalore Medical College. Thampi is excited when Bhasi comes along with his friends Lopez, Ranjith Menon, and Krishnankutty to spend his vacation with grandpa. Their presence brings joy and happiness into Thampi's house. Bhasi is engaged to a girl named Bhadra, who happens to be the granddaughter of Thampi's friend, a doctor.

During the vacation, Bhasi and his friends often go to the nearby beach for a swim. During one such visit, Bhasi and Lopez are pulled into the ocean, and only Lopez manages to escape. The police and the locals conduct a rescue operation in the ocean but in vain. It is believed among the locals that whatever is taken by the ocean is returned on the third day, as meant by the title of the movie.

Thampi refuses to acknowledge the fact that Bhasi is dead and puts on a brave face, consoling Bhasi's mother, his friends, and Bhadra. Eventually, Bhasi's body is found on the third day. The funeral is held on the same day, and Bhasi's friends get ready to leave the day after. They all visit the beach one last time to say goodbye to Bhasi, where they see Thampi arriving with priests to perform the funeral rites of Bhasi.

While performing the "bali," Thampi, who had lost all hope, takes the rice ball, "balichoru," in his hands. While taking the riceball, Thampi remembers about the young Bhasi swimming in the sea. By losing all the hope, Thampi proceeds to the sea. To everyone's shock, Thampi, along with the "balichoru," submits himself to the sea and commits suicide.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Major portions of the film were shot in Kanyakumari and its surrounding areas. The locations include Colachel, where the ancestral house is set, and Vatta Kottai, where the fort scene and the song "Thamarakkili" were filmed. The film's art direction was handled by Kurian Sabarigiri, makeup was done by Mohandas, and Indrans designed the costumes. Surya Jones worked as the film's still photographer. Malayalam playwright Surasu played a significant role in the film as Thampi's closest friend and Bhadra's grandfather. Another playwright, Jagathy N. K. Achary, made a cameo appearance as one of Thampi's friends in the film.[5]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

All lyrics are written by Sreekumaran Thampi; all music is composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Track listing [6]
No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Niramaala ( Unarumee Gaanam )" (Pathos)G. Venugopal 
2."Thaamarakkili Paadunnu"K. S. Chithra, M. G. Sreekumar, Ilaiyaraaja 
3."Unarumee Gaanam"G. Venugopal, Chorus 

Contemporary reception[edit | edit source]

In 2019, Aradhya Kurup of The News Minute wrote, " It's a breezy watch till a few scenes before climax. But after that you witness one of the most traumatic climax scenes in Malayalam cinema. And Thilakan's performance is such that you go through the whole rollercoaster ride with him."[4] The New Indian Express wrote, "A youthful Jayaram and versatile Thilakan produce a unforgettable display of love and affection between a widower and his grandchild. Thilakan's Thampi is as good as his Kochuvava from Kattukuthira (1990) or Achuthan Nair from Kireedam (1989) and Chenkol (1993), establishing his contendership for the best actor ever in Malayalam."[7]

Awards[edit | edit source]

G. Venugopal won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer for the song "Unarumee Gaanam".

References[edit | edit source]

  1. "Moonnaampakkam". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  2. "Moonnaampakkam". spicyonion.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  3. "'മുത്തച്ഛന്റെ ഒന്നാം പക്കം'". ManoramaOnline (in മലയാളം). Retrieved 19 September 2022.
  4. 4.0 4.1 "'Kireedom' to 'Akashadoothu': Ten Malayalam tragedies that dried up my tears". The News Minute. 24 February 2019. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  5. "'പാർവതി മതം മാറണം, അതു നിർബന്ധമായി ചെയ്യണം': അന്നു പി.സി ജോർജ്ജ് സാറിനെ വിളിച്ചു പപ്പ". Vanitha. 11 July 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  6. "മൂന്നാം പക്കം (1988)". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
  7. "Vineyards of passion and bloody beaches: 5 eternal Padmarajan films for movie buffs". The New Indian Express. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2023.

External links[edit | edit source]