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Last edited March 4, 2026
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m Reverted edits by 88.106.181.19 (talk): not providing a reliable source (WP:CITE, WP:RS) (HG) (3.4.10)
 
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| studio        = Saj Vision
| studio        = Saj Vision
| distributor    = Saj Productions
| distributor    = Saj Productions
| released      = 14 April 1990
| released      = {{Film date|1990|04|14|df=yes}}
| runtime        = 149 minutes
| runtime        = 149 minutes
| country        = India
| country        = India
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}}
}}


'''''Kadathanadan Ambadi''''' is a 1990 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[sword and sorcery film]] directed by [[Priyadarshan]] and written by [[Cochin Haneefa]]. It is a sequel to the 1964 film ''[[Thacholi Othenan (film)|Thacholi Othenan]]'' and the 1970 film ''[[Othenente Makan]]''. The film star [[Mohanlal]] in the title role, along with [[Prem Nazir]], [[Swapna (actress)|Swapna]], and [[Raadhu (actress)|Raadhu]].  A few shots from ''Thacholi Othenan'' was shown in this film. ''Kadathanadan Ambadi'' was released after the death of Prem Nazir.<ref name="eastcoastdaily">{{cite news|title=Kadathanadan Ambadi|url=http://www.eastcoastdaily.com/movie/%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%BF-%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2/ |newspaper=East Coast Daily}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=2377|title=Kadathanadan Ambadi Film Details|publisher=malayalachalachithram|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref>
'''''Kadathanadan Ambadi''''' is a 1990 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[sword and sorcery film]] directed by [[Priyadarshan]] and written by [[Cochin Haneefa]]. It is a sequel to the 1964 film ''[[Thacholi Othenan (film)|Thacholi Othenan]]'' and the 1970 film ''[[Othenente Makan]]''. The film stars [[Mohanlal]] in the title role, along with [[Prem Nazir]], [[Swapna (actress)|Swapna]], and [[Raadhu (actress)|Raadhu]].  A few shots from ''Thacholi Othenan'' were shown in this film. ''Kadathanadan Ambadi'' was released after the death of Prem Nazir.<ref name="eastcoastdaily">{{cite news|title=Kadathanadan Ambadi|url=http://www.eastcoastdaily.com/movie/%E0%B4%95%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%A4%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%A4%E0%B4%A8%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%A8%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8D-%E0%B4%85%E0%B4%AE%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AA%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%9F%E0%B4%BF-%E0%B4%9A%E0%B4%BF%E0%B4%B2/|newspaper=East Coast Daily}}{{Dead link|date=July 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.malayalachalachithram.com/movie.php?i=2377|title=Kadathanadan Ambadi Film Details|publisher=malayalachalachithram|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
The movie is based on Kerala's traditional Vadakkanpattu (The Northern Ballard Folklore). The fictional story is about Kadathanadan Ambadi ([[Mohanlal]]) who wants to avenge his father - [[Thacholi Othenan|Thacholi Manikoth Othenan Kuruppu]]'s death and retrieve the sacred sword Bhadravaal and Sacred Thread, which were missing since the death of Thacholi Othenan.
The movie is based on Kerala's traditional Vadakkanpattu (The Northern Ballad Folklore). The fictional story is about Kadathanadan Ambadi who wants to avenge his father - [[Thacholi Othenan|Thacholi Manikoth Othenan Kuruppu]]'s death and retrieve the sacred sword Bhadravaal and Sacred Thread, which were missing since the death of Thacholi Othenan.


Kadathanadan Ambadi, along with his Mentor-Martial arts Guru sets out investigating the mysterious disappearance of the sword. They suspect a Muslim Manager of their household who went missing since that day. While searching, they reached a kingdom, whose ruler was a mysterious Black Magician called Kowliya. The Magician Ruler Kowliya used to send his eagle to search for each's day beautiful lady, to be sacrificed each day for strengthening the King. In that process, the eagle settled on a house whose lady's marriage was fixed on that day. The soldiers dragged the girl and brought her to the sacrifice pit, only to be saved by Ambadi, who killed the King.
Kadathanadan Ambadi, along with his Mentor-Martial arts Guru sets out investigating the mysterious disappearance of the sword. They suspect a Muslim Manager of their household who went missing since that day. While searching, they reached a kingdom, whose ruler was a mysterious Black Magician called Kowliya. The Magician Ruler Kowliya used to send his eagle to search for each's day beautiful lady, to be sacrificed each day for strengthening the King. In that process, the eagle settled on a house whose lady's marriage was fixed on that day. The soldiers dragged the girl and brought her to the sacrifice pit, only to be saved by Ambadi, who killed the King.


It was later found that, the girl and her brother were sons of .{{clarification needed|date=April 2016}} Moyideen narrates the story, who within the Thacholi family plotted to stage a coup and get hold of the sword, making the thief later sold as a slave to Tulunad's King. The King also holds the key to a secret magical cave where the sword is kept. Ambadi sets out to Tulunadu, where he lures the princess and gets to know the whereabouts of the key. Ambadi fights against the King and his soldiers and grabs the key from his necklace and proceeds to the Magical Cave with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. He had to fight against the Demoness (Nagayakshi) who guards the sword as well as a Water Demoness.
It was later found that, the girl and her brother were sons of .{{clarify|date=April 2016}} Moyideen narrates the story, who within the Thacholi family plotted to stage a coup and get hold of the sword, making the thief later sold as a slave to Tulunad's King. The King also holds the key to a secret magical cave where the sword is kept. Ambadi sets out to Tulunadu, where he lures the princess and gets to know the whereabouts of the key. Ambadi fights against the King and his soldiers and grabs the key from his necklace and proceeds to the Magical Cave with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. He had to fight against the Demoness who guards the sword as well as a Water Demoness.


After getting back the Sacred Sword - "Bhadravaal", he returns to Kadathanadu with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. But they were not aware of the fact that his father's sister - Unichala (Sukumaari), her two children (Ganesh Kumar and an unknown actress) and Moosakkuutti (Srinivasan) were captured by Kathiroor Chandrappan (Kochin Haneefa). Payyappilly Chanthu's (Prem Nazeer) daughter Kunjilakshmi feels betrayed as she knew that Ambadi was not alone, but with a Princess.
After getting back the Sacred Sword - "Bhadravaal", he returns to Kadathanadu with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. But they were not aware of the fact that his father's sister - Unichala, her two children and Moosakkuutti were captured by Kathiroor Chandrappan. Payyappilly Chanthu's daughter Kunjilakshmi feels betrayed as she knew that Ambadi was not alone, but with a Princess.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
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*[[Mohanlal]] as Kadathanadan Ambadi
*[[Mohanlal]] as Kadathanadan Ambadi
*[[Prem Nazir]] as Payyampally Chanthu Gurukkal
*[[Prem Nazir]] as Payyampally Chanthu Gurukkal
*[[Sathyan (actor)|Sathyan]] as Thacholi Othenan (Ambadi's father) (Thacholi Othenan film scenes shows at the flashback story)
*[[Sathyan (Malayalam actor)|Sathyan]] as Thacholi Othenan (Ambadi's father) (Thacholi Othenan film scenes shows at the flashback story)
*[[Swapna (actress)|Swapna]] as Sreedevi Thamburatti
*[[Swapna (actress)|Swapna]] as Sreedevi Thamburatti
*[[Raadhu (actress)|Raadhu]] as Kunjulakshmi, Chanthu Gurukkal's daughter
*[[Raadhu (actress)|Raadhu]] as Kunjulakshmi, Chanthu Gurukkal's daughter
*[[Sreenivasan (actor)|Sreenivasan]] as Moosakkutty
*[[Sreenivasan]] as Moosakkutty
*[[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] as Unnichala's Son
*[[K. B. Ganesh Kumar]] as Unnichala's Son
*[[Maniyanpilla Raju]] as Kandasseri
*[[Maniyanpilla Raju]] as Kandasseri
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*[[Sukumari]] as Unnichala
*[[Sukumari]] as Unnichala
*[[Captain Raju]] as Kowliya Maharajah
*[[Captain Raju]] as Kowliya Maharajah
*[[Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair]] as Koma Kurup
*[[Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair]] as Koma Kurup
*[[Cochin Haneefa]] as Kathiroor Chandrappan
*[[Cochin Haneefa]] as Kathiroor Chandrappan
*[[Santhosh (actor)|Santhosh]] as Thambikkutti, Chanthu Gurukkal's Son
*[[Santhosh (actor)|Santhosh]] as Thambikkutti, Chanthu Gurukkal's Son
Line 62: Line 62:
{{colend}}
{{colend}}
Malayalam actor [[Shammi Thilakan]] dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir.
Malayalam actor [[Shammi Thilakan]] dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir.
==Soundtrack ==
{{Empty section|date=April 2019}}


==High Court order==
==High Court order==
Line 70: Line 67:


==Snippets==
==Snippets==
The film was originally produced by Sajan Varghese for Saj Productions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=.|first1=Nanaji|title=ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്|url=http://oi53.tinypic.com/1z1tg0x.jpg|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=Nana Film Weekly (pages)|date=August 1986}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=.|first1=നാനാജി|title=ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്|url=http://oi52.tinypic.com/348plwj.jpg|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=Nana Film Weekly|date=August 1986}}</ref> He was the head of Oriental Finance and Exchange Company<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pillai|first1=Sreedhar|title=Oriental Finance: Smooth scam|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/closure-of-oriental-finance-and-exchange-company-shocks-keralas-depositors/1/337114.html|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=[[India Today]]|date=31 May 1987}}</ref> and when the company faced loss, the respected Kerala High Court ordered to release the film and pay back the amount to depositors from the film's collections. The Court ordered [[Navodaya Studio|Navodaya productions]] to take care of the release and give report to the Court. Kunjandi reprices his role Kandacheri Chappan  from the  1964 movie Thacholi Othenan. Malayalam actor Shammi Thilakan dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir. <ref name="eastcoastdaily"/>
The film was originally produced by Sajan Varghese for Saj Productions.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Nanaji|title=ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്|url=http://oi53.tinypic.com/1z1tg0x.jpg|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=Nana Film Weekly (pages)|date=August 1986|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201030630/http://oi53.tinypic.com/1z1tg0x.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=നാനാജി|title=ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്|url=http://oi52.tinypic.com/348plwj.jpg|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=Nana Film Weekly|date=August 1986|archive-date=31 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181031091220/http://oi52.tinypic.com/348plwj.jpg|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was the head of Oriental Finance and Exchange Company<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pillai|first1=Sreedhar|title=Oriental Finance: Smooth scam|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/economy/story/19870531-closure-of-oriental-finance-and-exchange-company-shocks-keralas-depositors-798918-1987-05-30|access-date=25 November 2017|publisher=[[India Today]]|date=31 May 1987}}</ref> and when the company faced loss, the respected Kerala High Court ordered to release the film and pay back the amount to depositors from the film's collections. The Court ordered [[Navodaya Studio|Navodaya productions]] to take care of the release and give report to the Court. Kunjandi reprices his role Kandacheri Chappan  from the  1964 movie Thacholi Othenan. Malayalam actor Shammi Thilakan dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir.<ref name="eastcoastdaily"/>


==Reception==
==Reception==
Line 85: Line 82:


[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990 films]]
[[Category:1990s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:1990 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by K. Raghavan]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:Indian sequel films]]
[[Category:Indian sequel films]]
[[Category:Sword and sorcery films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kannur]]
[[Category:Films shot in Thalassery]]
[[Category:Films shot in Kozhikode]]
[[Category:Films shot in Palakkad]]
[[Category:Films shot in Ottapalam]]
[[Category:Malayalam films in series|Othenan3]]
[[Category:Malayalam films in series|Othenan3]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Priyadarshan]]

Latest revision as of 02:54, 4 March 2026

Kadathanadan Ambadi
Directed byPriyadarshan
Produced bySajan Vargeese
Screenplay byCochin Haneefa
P. K. Sarangapani (Dialogues)
StarringMohanlal
Prem Nazir
Cochin Haneefa
Music bySongs
K. Raghavan
Score
Johnson
CinematographyS. Kumar
Edited byN. Gopalakrishnan
Production
company
Saj Vision
Distributed bySaj Productions
Release date
  • 14 April 1990 (1990-04-14)
Running time
149 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Kadathanadan Ambadi is a 1990 Indian Malayalam-language sword and sorcery film directed by Priyadarshan and written by Cochin Haneefa. It is a sequel to the 1964 film Thacholi Othenan and the 1970 film Othenente Makan. The film stars Mohanlal in the title role, along with Prem Nazir, Swapna, and Raadhu. A few shots from Thacholi Othenan were shown in this film. Kadathanadan Ambadi was released after the death of Prem Nazir.[1][2]

Plot[edit | edit source]

The movie is based on Kerala's traditional Vadakkanpattu (The Northern Ballad Folklore). The fictional story is about Kadathanadan Ambadi who wants to avenge his father - Thacholi Manikoth Othenan Kuruppu's death and retrieve the sacred sword Bhadravaal and Sacred Thread, which were missing since the death of Thacholi Othenan.

Kadathanadan Ambadi, along with his Mentor-Martial arts Guru sets out investigating the mysterious disappearance of the sword. They suspect a Muslim Manager of their household who went missing since that day. While searching, they reached a kingdom, whose ruler was a mysterious Black Magician called Kowliya. The Magician Ruler Kowliya used to send his eagle to search for each's day beautiful lady, to be sacrificed each day for strengthening the King. In that process, the eagle settled on a house whose lady's marriage was fixed on that day. The soldiers dragged the girl and brought her to the sacrifice pit, only to be saved by Ambadi, who killed the King.

It was later found that, the girl and her brother were sons of .[clarification needed] Moyideen narrates the story, who within the Thacholi family plotted to stage a coup and get hold of the sword, making the thief later sold as a slave to Tulunad's King. The King also holds the key to a secret magical cave where the sword is kept. Ambadi sets out to Tulunadu, where he lures the princess and gets to know the whereabouts of the key. Ambadi fights against the King and his soldiers and grabs the key from his necklace and proceeds to the Magical Cave with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. He had to fight against the Demoness who guards the sword as well as a Water Demoness.

After getting back the Sacred Sword - "Bhadravaal", he returns to Kadathanadu with his Guru, Payyappilly Chanthu. But they were not aware of the fact that his father's sister - Unichala, her two children and Moosakkuutti were captured by Kathiroor Chandrappan. Payyappilly Chanthu's daughter Kunjilakshmi feels betrayed as she knew that Ambadi was not alone, but with a Princess.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Malayalam actor Shammi Thilakan dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir.

High Court order[edit | edit source]

Negative rights were controlled by the Kerala High Court, Navodaya release, completed and released through Navodaya by the Kerala High Court order CRL.M.C.49 & 63 April 5/88 by the Honourable Mr. Justice Chettur Sankaran Nair and the Supreme Court judgement of 15, February 1989, SLP (CRL) 1127-28/88 & 1148-49/88 in the division bench of Honourable chief justice R. S. Pathak and Honourable S. Natarajan supervised by the Honourable court's commissioners Adv. Siby Mathew & Adv. Koshy George.[1][3]

Snippets[edit | edit source]

The film was originally produced by Sajan Varghese for Saj Productions.[4][5] He was the head of Oriental Finance and Exchange Company[6] and when the company faced loss, the respected Kerala High Court ordered to release the film and pay back the amount to depositors from the film's collections. The Court ordered Navodaya productions to take care of the release and give report to the Court. Kunjandi reprices his role Kandacheri Chappan from the 1964 movie Thacholi Othenan. Malayalam actor Shammi Thilakan dubbed for 20 characters, including the late Prem Nazir.[1]

Reception[edit | edit source]

The film collected a, then record of Rs.35 lakhs gross in the first week itself. In 1990, Director Priyadarshan canned a fight scene between Mohanlal and Disco Shanti in a cave, was much appreciated for its technical brilliance.[7]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Kadathanadan Ambadi". East Coast Daily.[permanent dead link]
  2. "Kadathanadan Ambadi Film Details". malayalachalachithram. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  3. "News - Kadathanadan Ambadi to release". Mathrubhumi. 1 April 1990.
  4. Nanaji (August 1986). "ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്". Nana Film Weekly (pages). Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  5. നാനാജി (August 1986). "ചിത്രലോകം - ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ അടിയന്തിര ശ്രദ്ധയ്ക്ക്". Nana Film Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 October 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. Pillai, Sreedhar (31 May 1987). "Oriental Finance: Smooth scam". India Today. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  7. "കടത്തനാടൻ അമ്പാടി". m3db.

External links[edit | edit source]