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{{short description|1984 novel written by M.T Vasudevan Nair}}
{{Short description|1984 novel by M.T Vasudevan Nair}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Randamoozham''}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Randamoozham''}}
{{Infobox book <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Novels or Wikipedia:WikiProject_Books -->
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox book <!-- See Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Novels or Bharatpedia:WikiProject_Books -->
| name          = Randamoozham
| name          = Randamoozham
| image        = Randamoozham 30th edition cover.jpg
| image        = Randamoozham 30th edition cover.jpg
| caption      = The cover for the 30th edition
| caption      = Cover of 30th edition
| author        = [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]
| author        = [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]]
| title_orig    = രണ്ടാമൂഴം
| title_orig    =  
| translator    =  
| translator    =  
| illustrator  = [[Namboothiri (artist)|Namboothiri]] (First edition)
| illustrator  = [[Namboothiri (artist)|Namboothiri]] (first edition)
| cover_artist  = Vinaylal (First edition)
| cover_artist  = Vinaylal (first edition)
| country      = India(randamoozham)
| country      = India
| language      = [[Malayalam]]
| language      = [[Malayalam]]
| genre        = [[Mythology]], [[drama (genre)|drama]], [[historical fiction]]
| genre        = [[Mythology]], drama
| set_in        = [[History of India|Ancient India]]
| set_in        = [[Ancient India]]
| publisher    = Current Books
| publisher    = Current Books
| pub_date      = December 1984
| pub_date      = December 1984
| media_type    = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type    = Print ([[Paperback]])
| pages        = 300<ref>{{cite web|author=M. T. Vasudevan Nair|title=Randamoozham|url=http://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/randamoozham|publisher=[[DC Books]]|access-date=9 January 2017|date=6 August 2012}}</ref>
| pages        = 328<ref>{{cite web|author=M. T. Vasudevan Nair|title=Randamoozham|url=http://onlinestore.dcbooks.com/books/randamoozham|publisher=[[DC Books]]|access-date=9 January 2017|date=6 August 2012}}</ref>
| awards        = [[Vayalar Award]], [[Muttathu Varkey Award]]
| awards        = [[Vayalar Award]]<br/>[[Muttathu Varkey Award]]
| isbn          = 81-226-0731-4
| isbn          = 81-226-0731-4
}}
}}


'''''Randamoozham''''' ({{lang-en|The Second Chance}}) is a 1984 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[mythological]] [[drama]] [[novel]] written by Indian author [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]], widely credited as his masterpiece.<ref>{{cite web|author=M. T. Vasudevan Nair|title=Randamoozham|url=http://www.indulekha.com/randamoozham-novel-m-t-vasudevan-nair|publisher=[[Indulekha.com]]|access-date=10 January 2017|date=August 2016}}</ref> The work won the [[Vayalar Award]], given for the best literary work in Malayalam, in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm|title=Jnanpith Awards|publisher=[[Department of Information and Public Relations (Kerala)|Department of Information and Public Relations]]|access-date=11 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524212356/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm|archive-date=24 May 2007}}</ref> It also won the [[Muttathu Varkey Award]] in 1994. The novel has been translated to multiple languages. It was translated into English as ''Second Turn'' in 1997. Another English translation by Gita Krishnankutty published in 2013 is titled ''Bhima: Lone Warrior''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kunhikrishnan|first=K.|title=Bhima, The Wronged|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/bhima-the-wronged/204603|access-date=10 January 2017|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook India]]|date=24 November 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Srilata|first=K.|title=An exercise in guilt|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/an-exercise-in-guilt/article5534780.ece|access-date=10 January 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 January 2014}}</ref>
'''''Randamoozham''''' ({{Translation|The second turn}}) is a [[Malayalam]] novel by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]].<ref>{{cite web|author=M. T. Vasudevan Nair|title=Randamoozham|url=http://www.indulekha.com/randamoozham-novel-m-t-vasudevan-nair|publisher=[[Indulekha.com]]|access-date=10 January 2017|date=August 2016}}</ref> It is a [[Revisionism (fictional)|revisionist]] retelling of the ''[[Mahābhārata]]'' from the perspective of [[Bhīma]], departing from the epic's traditional mythological framework by rejecting divine intervention in favour of a human-centred, realist portrayal of its characters and events.


The novel is a retelling of the Indian [[Indian epic poetry|epic]] ''[[Mahabharata]]'' from the perspective of [[Bhima]], the second [[Pandava]]. The story deviates from the traditional ''Mahabharata'' story as it avoids the [[Divinity|divine elements]] of the ancient epic and re-represent the characters and events [[Realism (arts)|realistically]]. One of the reasons critics cite for the novel's [[cult following]] is its [[Revisionism (fictional)|revisionism]], that was a first time in Malayalam literature. The book was translated to Tamil by Kurunjivelan as "Irandaam Idam" with cover illustration by [[Trotsky Marudu]].
First serialized in ''Kalakaumudi Weekly'' in 1984, it won the [[Vayalar Award]] for the best literary work in Malayalam in 1985.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm|title=Jnanpith Awards|publisher=[[Department of Information and Public Relations (Kerala)|Department of Information and Public Relations]]|access-date=11 April 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070524212356/http://www.prd.kerala.gov.in/awards.htm|archive-date=24 May 2007}}</ref> It also won the [[Muttathu Varkey Award]] in 1994.


A film adaptation starring [[Mohanlal]] is scheduled for 2025; it is set to become India's most expensive film production of {{INRConvert|1000|c}} and the [[List of most expensive non-English-language films|most expensive non-English-language film]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/18/entertainment/india-most-expensive-film/ |title='Randamoozham': India to produce its most expensive film ever |last=Suri |first=Manveena |newspaper=CNN Entertainment |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref>
==Plot==
The plot begins with the incident of [[Mahaprasthanika Parva]] where the [[Pandava]]s leave for the pilgrimage to [[Himalayas]], forsaking all worldly possessions. The story runs through the eyes of [[Bhima]] who faces seemingly severe frustrations as a young man. Always destined to be second to his weak elder brother, [[Yudhishthira]], in seniority and younger brother, [[Arjuna]], in fame and popularity, Bhima is not given his due as the main architect of the Pandava victory over their cousins, [[Kaurava]]s, in the [[Kurukshetra war]], despite killing all the 100 Kauravas.
 
The book unravels all the hardships and dilemmas encountered by [[Bhima]] which remain unnoticed. It explores the emotions of the mighty Pandava as a son, brother, husband, and father. The story brings to light his affection for his wife, Draupadi, and how unnoticed his acts of love remain. The narrative questions the mourning of Arjuna's son, [[Abhimanyu]], when he is killed during the battle while trying to break the Chakravyuh formation, while Bhima's son, Ghatokkach, is led to his death by sacrificing his life to save Arjuna's life. Ghatokkach's sacrifice too remains unsung and everyone finds happiness in saving Arjuna. Towards the end, Bhima is shown as the only husband who stops and tries to stay with Draupadi in her last moments during their pilgrimage.


==Plot==
==Translations==
The story begins with the incident of [[Mahaprasthanika Parva]] where the [[Pandava]]s leave for the pilgrimage to [[Himalayas]] forsaking all the worldly possessions. The story runs through the eyes of [[Bhima]] who faces seemingly severe frustrations as a young man. Always destined to be second to his weak elder brother [[Yudhishthira]] in seniority and younger brother [[Arjuna]] in fame and popularity, Bhima is not given his due as the main architect of the Pandava victory over their cousins [[Kaurava]]s in the [[Kurukshetra war]], despite killing all the 100 Kauravas. The book unravels all the hardship and dilemmas encountered by [[Bhima]] which remain unnoticed. The book explores the emotions of the mighty Pandava as a son, brother, husband and father. The book brings to light the affection that he holds for his wife draupadi and how unnoticed his acts of love remains. The story questions the mourning of Arjuna's son, [[Abhimanyu]] when he is killed during the battle while trying to break the Chakravyuh formation, while Bhima's son, Ghatokkach is led to his death by sacrificing his life to save Arjuna's life and his sacrifice too remains unsung and everyone enjoys the happiness of saving Arjuna's life. Towards the end of the book he is shown as the only husband who seems to stop trying to be with draupadi at her last moment during their pilgrimage.
The novel has been translated into multiple languages. It was translated into English as ''Second Turn'' by P. K. Ravindranath in 1997. Another English translation by [[Gita Krishnankutty]] published in 2013 is titled ''Bhima: Lone Warrior''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kunhikrishnan|first=K.|title=Bhima, The Wronged|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/magazine/story/bhima-the-wronged/204603|access-date=10 January 2017|work=[[Outlook (Indian magazine)|Outlook India]]|date=24 November 1997}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Srilata|first=K.|title=An exercise in guilt|url=http://www.thehindu.com/books/literary-review/an-exercise-in-guilt/article5534780.ece|access-date=10 January 2017|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=4 January 2014}}</ref> The book was translated into Tamil by Kurunjivelan as ''Irandaam Idam'' with the cover illustration by [[Trotsky Marudu]].{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}


==Film adaptation==
==Film adaptation==
In 2011, director [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] announced his plan to adapt ''Randamoozham'' to screen, scripted by [[M. T. Vasudevan Nair]] himself with [[Mohanlal]] cast to play [[Bhima]].<ref>http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/bheemas-outing/article2615566.ece {{Bare URL inline|date=November 2021}}</ref> Later, [[V. A. Shrikumar Menon]] took the project again with Mohanlal in the lead, it was announced in April 2017 that the film adaptation will be produced by [[B. R. Shetty]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2017/apr/17/mohanlals-randamoozham-to-be-most-expensive-indian-movie-at-rs-1000-crore-1594581.html |title=Mohanlal's Mahabharatha to be most expensive Indian movie at Rs 1,000 crore |last=Suresh |first=Mera |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/randamoozhams-pre-production-works-begin/articleshow/56499667.cms |title=Randamoozham's pre-production works begin |last=Somani |first=Deepa |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 January 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> With its {{INRConvert|1000|c}} budget, the film is expected to be the most expensive film in [[Indian cinema]], and one of the most [[List of most expensive non-English-language films|expensive non-English language film]]. The film will be shot in two parts. The first part is planned to be released in 2025 and the second part to released in 2030.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/18/entertainment/india-most-expensive-film/ |title='Randamoozham': India to produce its most expensive film ever |last=Suri |first=Manveena |newspaper=CNN Entertainment |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/19/mahabharata-epic-randamoozham-india-most-expensive-movie-mohanlal |title=Mahabharata epic set to become India's most expensive movie ever  |last=Mumford |first=Gwilum |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsable.asianetnews.tv/karnataka/karnataka-billionaire-to-bring-malayalam-mahabharata-on-screen-at-rs-1000-cr |title=Karnataka billionaire to bring Malayalam Mahabharata on screen at Rs 1000 cr |newspaper=Asia News Network |date= 18 April 2017|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> Plans for the movie has since been shelved after MT Vasudevan Nair was upset with the pace at which the film was progressing and demanding Srikumar Menon to return the script.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-rs-1000-crore-mahabharata-shelved-5656020/|title=Mohanlal's Rs 1000 crore film Randamoozham shelved|date=2019-04-03|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/-randamoozham-case-verdict-on-march-15-1.3616967|title='Randamoozham' case: Verdict on March 15|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>
In 2011, director [[Hariharan (director)|Hariharan]] announced plans to adapt ''Randamoozham'' to screen, scripted by Nair and [[Mohanlal]] cast as Bhima.<ref>{{cite news| url = http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/bheemas-outing/article2615566.ece| title = Bheema's outing - The Hindu| website = [[The Hindu]]| date = 10 November 2011}}</ref> In April 2017, it was announced that the project was taken up by [[V. A. Shrikumar Menon]], again with Mohanlal in the lead, to be produced by [[B. R. Shetty]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2017/apr/17/mohanlals-randamoozham-to-be-most-expensive-indian-movie-at-rs-1000-crore-1594581.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170418081830/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2017/apr/17/mohanlals-randamoozham-to-be-most-expensive-indian-movie-at-rs-1000-crore-1594581.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 April 2017 |title=Mohanlal's Mahabharatha to be most expensive Indian movie at Rs 1,000 crore |last=Suresh |first=Mera |newspaper=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=20 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/randamoozhams-pre-production-works-begin/articleshow/56499667.cms |title=Randamoozham's pre-production works begin |last=Somani |first=Deepa |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=27 January 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> The film was planned as a two-part epic.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2017/04/18/entertainment/india-most-expensive-film/ |title='Randamoozham': India to produce its most expensive film ever |last=Suri |first=Manveena |newspaper=CNN Entertainment |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/apr/19/mahabharata-epic-randamoozham-india-most-expensive-movie-mohanlal |title=Mahabharata epic set to become India's most expensive movie ever  |last=Mumford |first=Gwilum |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=19 April 2017 |access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://newsable.asianetnews.tv/karnataka/karnataka-billionaire-to-bring-malayalam-mahabharata-on-screen-at-rs-1000-cr |title=Karnataka billionaire to bring Malayalam Mahabharata on screen at Rs 1000 cr |newspaper=Asia News Network |date= 18 April 2017|access-date=21 April 2017}}</ref> However, the project was eventually shelved after Nair withdrew the script, citing dissatisfaction with the pace of progress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-rs-1000-crore-mahabharata-shelved-5656020/|title=Mohanlal's Rs 1000 crore film Randamoozham shelved|date=2019-04-03|website=The Indian Express|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/-randamoozham-case-verdict-on-march-15-1.3616967|title='Randamoozham' case: Verdict on March 15|website=Mathrubhumi|language=en|access-date=2020-02-07}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.dcbookshop.net/books/randamoozham Randamoozham on DC Books]
* [https://dcbookstore.com/books/randamoozham Randamoozham on DC Books]


{{Malayalam Literature|state=collapsed}}
{{Malayalam Literature|state=collapsed}}
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{{Vayalar Awards}}
{{Vayalar Awards}}


[[Category:1984 novels]]
{{Authority control}}
 
[[Category:Malayalam novels]]
[[Category:Malayalam novels]]
[[Category:Novels based on the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Novels based on the Mahabharata]]

Latest revision as of 23:07, 1 February 2026



Randamoozham
Cover of 30th edition
AuthorM. T. Vasudevan Nair
IllustratorNamboothiri (first edition)
Cover artistVinaylal (first edition)
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Set inAncient India
PublisherCurrent Books
Media typePrint (Paperback)
Pages328[1]
AwardsVayalar Award
Muttathu Varkey Award
ISBN81-226-0731-4

Randamoozham (transl. The second turn) is a Malayalam novel by M. T. Vasudevan Nair.[2] It is a revisionist retelling of the Mahābhārata from the perspective of Bhīma, departing from the epic's traditional mythological framework by rejecting divine intervention in favour of a human-centred, realist portrayal of its characters and events.

First serialized in Kalakaumudi Weekly in 1984, it won the Vayalar Award for the best literary work in Malayalam in 1985.[3] It also won the Muttathu Varkey Award in 1994.

Plot[edit | edit source]

The plot begins with the incident of Mahaprasthanika Parva where the Pandavas leave for the pilgrimage to Himalayas, forsaking all worldly possessions. The story runs through the eyes of Bhima who faces seemingly severe frustrations as a young man. Always destined to be second to his weak elder brother, Yudhishthira, in seniority and younger brother, Arjuna, in fame and popularity, Bhima is not given his due as the main architect of the Pandava victory over their cousins, Kauravas, in the Kurukshetra war, despite killing all the 100 Kauravas.

The book unravels all the hardships and dilemmas encountered by Bhima which remain unnoticed. It explores the emotions of the mighty Pandava as a son, brother, husband, and father. The story brings to light his affection for his wife, Draupadi, and how unnoticed his acts of love remain. The narrative questions the mourning of Arjuna's son, Abhimanyu, when he is killed during the battle while trying to break the Chakravyuh formation, while Bhima's son, Ghatokkach, is led to his death by sacrificing his life to save Arjuna's life. Ghatokkach's sacrifice too remains unsung and everyone finds happiness in saving Arjuna. Towards the end, Bhima is shown as the only husband who stops and tries to stay with Draupadi in her last moments during their pilgrimage.

Translations[edit | edit source]

The novel has been translated into multiple languages. It was translated into English as Second Turn by P. K. Ravindranath in 1997. Another English translation by Gita Krishnankutty published in 2013 is titled Bhima: Lone Warrior.[4][5] The book was translated into Tamil by Kurunjivelan as Irandaam Idam with the cover illustration by Trotsky Marudu.[citation needed]

Film adaptation[edit | edit source]

In 2011, director Hariharan announced plans to adapt Randamoozham to screen, scripted by Nair and Mohanlal cast as Bhima.[6] In April 2017, it was announced that the project was taken up by V. A. Shrikumar Menon, again with Mohanlal in the lead, to be produced by B. R. Shetty.[7][8] The film was planned as a two-part epic.[9][10][11] However, the project was eventually shelved after Nair withdrew the script, citing dissatisfaction with the pace of progress.[12][13]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ M. T. Vasudevan Nair (6 August 2012). "Randamoozham". DC Books. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
  2. ↑ M. T. Vasudevan Nair (August 2016). "Randamoozham". Indulekha.com. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  3. ↑ "Jnanpith Awards". Department of Information and Public Relations. Archived from the original on 24 May 2007. Retrieved 11 April 2011.
  4. ↑ Kunhikrishnan, K. (24 November 1997). "Bhima, The Wronged". Outlook India. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Srilata, K. (4 January 2014). "An exercise in guilt". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Bheema's outing - The Hindu". The Hindu. 10 November 2011.
  7. ↑ Suresh, Mera (20 April 2017). "Mohanlal's Mahabharatha to be most expensive Indian movie at Rs 1,000 crore". The New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 18 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Somani, Deepa (27 January 2017). "Randamoozham's pre-production works begin". The Times of India. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  9. ↑ Suri, Manveena (19 April 2017). "'Randamoozham': India to produce its most expensive film ever". CNN Entertainment. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  10. ↑ Mumford, Gwilum (19 April 2017). "Mahabharata epic set to become India's most expensive movie ever". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  11. ↑ "Karnataka billionaire to bring Malayalam Mahabharata on screen at Rs 1000 cr". Asia News Network. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  12. ↑ "Mohanlal's Rs 1000 crore film Randamoozham shelved". The Indian Express. 3 April 2019. Retrieved 7 February 2020.
  13. ↑ "'Randamoozham' case: Verdict on March 15". Mathrubhumi. Retrieved 7 February 2020.

External links[edit | edit source]

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