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| writer        = [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
| writer        = [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
| starring      = [[Mohanlal]]<br />[[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]<br />[[Nedumudi Venu]]<br />[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]]<br>[[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]
| starring      = [[Mohanlal]]<br />[[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]<br />[[Nedumudi Venu]]<br />[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]]<br>[[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]
| music          = [[Raveendran]]<br />[[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] (Score)
| music          = [[Raveendran]] (Songs) <br />[[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] (Score)
| cinematography = Anandakuttan
| cinematography = [[Anandakuttan]]
| editing        = [[L. Bhoominathan]]
| editing        = [[L. Bhoominathan]]
| studio        = [[Pranavam Arts]]
| studio        = [[Pranavam Arts]]
Line 20: Line 20:
}}
}}


'''''Bharatham''''' is a 1991 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[musical film|musical]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]] and directed by [[Sibi Malayil]]. It stars [[Mohanlal]], [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]], and [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house [[Pranavam Arts]]. The film features original songs composed by [[Raveendran]] and a background score by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]]. ''Bharatham'' is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the [[Ramayana]] from [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharatha]]'s perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.
'''''Bharatham''''' is a 1991 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[musical film|musical]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]] and directed by [[Sibi Malayil]]. It stars [[Mohanlal]], [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]], and [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house [[Pranavam Arts]]. The film features original songs composed by [[Raveendran]] and a background score by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]]. ''Bharatham'' is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the [[Ramayana]] from [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharatha]]'s perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Five Mohanlal movies to watch before 'Drishyam 2' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/five-mohanlal-movies-to-watch-before-drishyam-2-950079.html |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>


The film was a critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|title=An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/aug/11lo1.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=24 January 2016|date=22 August 1997}}</ref> ''Bharatham'' is also noted for its music that is largely [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] classical and semi-classical. The film won three [[National Film Awards]]—[[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Mohanlal, [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] for [[K. J. Yesudas]] for the song "Rama Katha Ganalayam", and [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] for Raveendran's music, and five [[Kerala State Film Awards]]. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, ''[[Forbes (India)|Forbes India]]'' included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema|magazine=[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]|first1=Shishir|last1=Prasad|first2=N. S.|last2=Ramnath|first3=Sohini|last3=Mitter|date=27 April 2013 |access-date = 27 January 2015}}</ref> It was remade in Tamil as ''[[Seenu (2000 film)|Seenu]]'' by [[P. Vasu]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=10 Mohanlal films to watch before you die |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/photostory/52433968.cms |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/34110/cinema/Kollywood/Mohanlal-movies-and-their-remakes.htm|title=மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்...|date=2015-07-05|work=Dinamalar|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>
The film was a critical and commercial success, running for 125 days in theatres.<ref>{{cite web|title=An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/aug/11lo1.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=24 January 2016|date=22 August 1997}}</ref> ''Bharatham'' is also noted for its music that is largely [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] classical and semi-classical. The film won three [[National Film Awards]]—[[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Mohanlal,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=Mohanlal birthday special: Unforgettable performances that prove his legacy in Indian cinema |url=https://aninews.in/gallery/mohanlal-birthday-special-unforgettable-performances-that-prove-his-legacy-in-indian-cinema20250521124236/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Asian News International|ANI]]}}</ref> [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] for [[K. J. Yesudas]] for the song ''[[Ramakadha]]'', and [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] for Raveendran's music, and five [[Kerala State Film Awards]]. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, ''[[Forbes (India)|Forbes India]]'' included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema|magazine=[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]|first1=Shishir|last1=Prasad|first2=N. S.|last2=Ramnath|first3=Sohini|last3=Mitter|date=27 April 2013|access-date=27 January 2015|archive-date=12 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112014841/http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was remade in Tamil as ''[[Seenu (2000 film)|Seenu]]'' by [[P. Vasu]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |title=10 Mohanlal films to watch before you die |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/photostory/52433968.cms |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/34110/cinema/Kollywood/Mohanlal-movies-and-their-remakes.htm|title=மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்...|date=2015-07-05|work=Dinamalar|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
{{More plot|date=July 2019}}
{{More plot|date=July 2019}}
Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi ([[Mohanlal]]) is a member of a happy family with [[carnatic music]] heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan ([[Nedumudi Venu]]) who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, [[guru]] and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani ([[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]]) and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi ([[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]) who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into alcoholism. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.
Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi is a member of a happy family with [[carnatic music]] heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, [[guru]] and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into [[alcoholism]]. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.


Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song ''Sree Vinayagam''. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana'' select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana''.
Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song ''Sree Vinayagam''. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana'' select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana''.


Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. In the middle of the concert, he enters the stage, removes his ancestoral necklace and puts it on Gopi as a mark of continuation of his legacy. He then walks away into the horizon. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, getting to know that Raman is killed in an accident, is forced to conceal this truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows about the truth. Gopi's [[Psychological trauma|trauma]] reaches penultimate when his family comes to know about Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions. The movie ends while Gopi begins to train Appu in their musical legacy.  
Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. In the middle of the concert, he enters the stage, removes his ancestral necklace and puts it on Gopi as a mark of continuation of his legacy. He then walks away into the horizon. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, learning that Raman died in an accident, is forced to conceal the truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows the truth. Gopi's [[Psychological trauma|trauma]] reaches penultimate when his family learns of Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions. The movie ends while Gopi begins to train Appu in their musical legacy.


==Cast==
==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
{{colbegin}}
*[[Mohanlal]] as Kalloor "Gopi" Gopinathan
*[[Mohanlal]] as Kalloor "Gopi" Gopinathan
**[[Biyon]] as Young Gopinathan
*[[Nedumudi Venu]] as Kalloor "Raman" Ramanathan
*[[Nedumudi Venu]] as Kalloor "Raman" Ramanathan
*[[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Devi
*[[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Devi
*[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] as Ramani  
*[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] as Ramani, wife of Raman and sister of Devi
*[[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] as Harikumar
*[[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] as Harikumar
*[[Vineeth Kumar]] as Appu
*[[Vineeth Kumar]] as Appu
*[[Suchitra Murali]] as Radha
*[[Suchitra Murali]] as Radha
*[[Kaviyoor Ponnamma]] as Devaki
*[[Kaviyoor Ponnamma]] as Devaki, mother of Raman, Gopi and Radha
*[[Oduvil Unnikrishnan]] as Unnimama
*[[Oduvil Unnikrishnan]] as Unnimama, maternal uncle of Raman, Gopi and Radha and a [[Mridangam]] player
*[[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]] as Madhavi
*[[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]] as Madhavi Unnimama's wife
*[[Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair]] as Grandfather
*[[Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair]] as Grandfather
*[[Kunchan (actor)|Kunjan]] as Kuttan
*[[Kunchan (actor)|Kunjan]] as Kuttan
Line 50: Line 51:
*[[M. S. Thripunithura]] as Janardhanan Nair
*[[M. S. Thripunithura]] as Janardhanan Nair
*[[Subair]]
*[[Subair]]
*[[Biyon]] as Young Gopinathan
*[[Paravoor Bharathan]]
 
{{colend}}
{{colend}}


==Soundtrack==
==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album|
{{Infobox album|
| name      = Bharatham
| name      = Bharatham
Line 61: Line 62:
| cover      =
| cover      =
| alt        =
| alt        =
| released  = {{start date|1991|March|29}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharatham - Tharangni |url=https://yesudas.bandcamp.com/album/bharatham |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Bandcamp]]}}</ref>
| released  = {{Start date|1991|03|29}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharatham - Tharangni |url=https://yesudas.bandcamp.com/album/bharatham |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Bandcamp]]}}</ref>
| recorded  = February 1991
| recorded  = February 1991
| venue      =
| venue      =
| studio    = [[Tharangini Records|Tharangini]], [[Chennai]]
| studio    = [[Tharangini Records|Tharangini]], [[Chennai]]
Line 75: Line 75:
| next_year  =
| next_year  =
}}
}}
The acclaimed soundtrack of this movie was composed by music [[maestro]] [[Raveendran]] for which the acclaimed lyrics were penned by [[Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri|Kaithapram]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Audio CD |url=https://www.amazon.in/BHARATHAM-OTHER-YESUDAS-HITS/dp/B01BDOUTMU |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref> All the songs of this movie were instant hits.
The [[film score]] was composed by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] while the acclaimed songs were composed by [[Raveendran]] with lyrics were penned by [[Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri|Kaithapram]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Audio CD |url=https://www.amazon.in/BHARATHAM-OTHER-YESUDAS-HITS/dp/B01BDOUTMU |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref> All the songs of this movie were instant hits.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! No. !! Title !! Singer(s) !! Raagam !! Notes
! No. !! Title !! Singer(s) !! Raagam !! Notes
|-
|-
| 1 || "Gopangane" || [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[K. S. Chithra]] || [[Nata (raga)|Naatta]] || Duet song picturised on [[Mohanlal]] and [[Urvashi]].
| 1 || "Gopangane" || [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[K. S. Chithra]] || [[Nata (raga)|Naatta]]  
(but also has traces of Raag [[Jog (raga)|Jog]])
|| Duet song picturised on [[Mohanlal]] and [[Urvashi]], Interludes of the song were taken from the Popular [[Thyagaraja]] [[Pancharatna Kriti]] "Jagadanandakaraka", set in the same raga.
|-
|-
| 2 || "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham") || [[M. Balamuralikrishna]], K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra || Raagamaalika ([[Mayamalavagowla]], [[Todi (raga)|Thodi]], [[Arabhi]], [[Kanada (raga group)|Kanada]]) || Title song. Picturised on [[Nedumudi Venu]] and Mohanlal.
| 2 || "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham") || [[M. Balamuralikrishna]], K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra || Raagamaalika ([[Mayamalavagowla]], [[Todi (raga)|Thodi]], [[Arabhi]], [[Kanada (raga group)|Kanada]]) || Title song. Picturised on [[Nedumudi Venu]] and Mohanlal.
|-
|-
| 3 || "Raghuvamshapathe" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Dheerashankarabharanam|Sankarabharanam]] || Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
| 3 || "Raghuvamshapathe" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Sankarabharanam]] || Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
|-
|-
| 4 || "[[Ramakadha]]" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Shubhapantuvarali]] || Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
| 4 || "[[Ramakadha]]" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Shubhapantuvarali]] || Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
Line 96: Line 98:
| 8 || "Dhwani Prasadam" || K. J. Yesudas || Mayamalavagowla || End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.
| 8 || "Dhwani Prasadam" || K. J. Yesudas || Mayamalavagowla || End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.
|}
|}
==Release==
===Theatrical===
Bharatham was released on 29 March 1991 considering as a [[Vishu]] season release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=B. |first=Shibu |date=2020-04-13 |title=For Kerala's Tinseltown, it's a lost Vishu |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/Apr/13/for-keralas-tinseltown-its-a-lost-vishu-2129267.html |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>
===Home media===
The [[Video CD|VCD]] and [[DVD-Video|DVD]] of the film was distributed by Saina Video Vision and [[Moser Baer]]. [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] bagged the television rights and the digital streaming rights were shared by [[JioHotstar]], streaming in their platform, and Millennium Cinemas, streaming on their [[YouTube]] channel.


== Awards ==
== Awards ==
;[[39th National Film Awards]]
;[[39th National Film Awards|National Film Awards]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Mohanlal]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Mohanlal]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - [[K. J. Yesudas|Dr. K. J. Yesudas]] for ''[[Ramakadha|Ramakadha Gaanalayam]]''
* [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - [[K. J. Yesudas]] for ''[[Ramakadha|Ramakadha Gaanalayam]]''
* [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] - [[Raveendran]]
* [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] - [[Raveendran]]


Line 114: Line 123:
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Malayalam|Best Music Director (Malayalam)]] - Raveendran
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Malayalam|Best Music Director (Malayalam)]] - Raveendran


;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards|Kerala Film Critics Award]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNFn79LrCqY&t=102s |title=15th Film Critics Award - 1991|via=[[YouTube]] |archive-date=2019-12-21}}</ref>
;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref name="Awards List">{{Cite web |date=2020-10-17 |title=Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012 |url=https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/film-critics-awards-complete-list-from.html |website=Kerala Film Critics Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNFn79LrCqY&t=102s |title=15th Film Critics Award - 1991|date=6 January 2020 |via=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
 
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - Sibi Malayil (as director)
* Best Actor - Mohanlal
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - Sibi Malayil
* Best Screenplay - [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* Best Music Director - Raveendran
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] - [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
* Best Cinematography - Anandakuttan
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematographer]] - [[Anandakuttan]]
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - Raveendran
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - K. J. Yesudas


==References==
==References==
Line 129: Line 140:
{{Mohanlal}}
{{Mohanlal}}
{{Sibi Malayil}}
{{Sibi Malayil}}
{{A. K. Lohithadas}}
{{Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film}}


[[Category:1991 films]]
[[Category:1991 Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s musical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s musical drama films]]
[[Category:1990s Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:1991 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Indian films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Raveendran]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor National Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor National Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Pranavam Arts International films]]
[[Category:Pranavam Arts International films]]
Line 142: Line 155:
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:1991 drama films]]
[[Category:1991 drama films]]
[[Category:1991 musical films]]

Latest revision as of 04:18, 7 March 2026


Bharatham
File:Bharatham (film) cover.jpg
DVD cover
Directed bySibi Malayil
Produced byMohanlal
Written byA. K. Lohithadas
StarringMohanlal
Urvashi
Nedumudi Venu
Lakshmi
Murali
Music byRaveendran (Songs)
Johnson (Score)
CinematographyAnandakuttan
Edited byL. Bhoominathan
Production
company
Distributed bySeven Arts Release
Release date
  • 29 March 1991 (1991-03-29)
Running time
147 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Bharatham is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language musical drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mohanlal, Urvashi, Nedumudi Venu, Lakshmi, and Murali. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house Pranavam Arts. The film features original songs composed by Raveendran and a background score by Johnson. Bharatham is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the Ramayana from Bharatha's perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.[1]

The film was a critical and commercial success, running for 125 days in theatres.[2] Bharatham is also noted for its music that is largely Carnatic classical and semi-classical. The film won three National Film Awards—Best Actor for Mohanlal,[3] Best Male Playback Singer for K. J. Yesudas for the song Ramakadha, and Special Mention for Raveendran's music, and five Kerala State Film Awards. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, Forbes India included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".[4] It was remade in Tamil as Seenu by P. Vasu in 2000.[5][6]

Plot[edit | edit source]

Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi is a member of a happy family with carnatic music heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, guru and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into alcoholism. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.

Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song Sree Vinayagam. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the Tyagaraja Aaradhana select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at Tyagaraja Aaradhana.

Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. In the middle of the concert, he enters the stage, removes his ancestral necklace and puts it on Gopi as a mark of continuation of his legacy. He then walks away into the horizon. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, learning that Raman died in an accident, is forced to conceal the truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows the truth. Gopi's trauma reaches penultimate when his family learns of Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions. The movie ends while Gopi begins to train Appu in their musical legacy.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Bharatham
Soundtrack album by
Raveendran
ReleasedMarch 29, 1991 (1991-03-29)[7]
RecordedFebruary 1991
StudioTharangini, Chennai
GenreFilm soundtrack
LabelTharangini

The film score was composed by Johnson while the acclaimed songs were composed by Raveendran with lyrics were penned by Kaithapram.[8] All the songs of this movie were instant hits.

No. Title Singer(s) Raagam Notes
1 "Gopangane" K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra Naatta

(but also has traces of Raag Jog)

Duet song picturised on Mohanlal and Urvashi, Interludes of the song were taken from the Popular Thyagaraja Pancharatna Kriti "Jagadanandakaraka", set in the same raga.
2 "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham") M. Balamuralikrishna, K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra Raagamaalika (Mayamalavagowla, Thodi, Arabhi, Kanada) Title song. Picturised on Nedumudi Venu and Mohanlal.
3 "Raghuvamshapathe" K. J. Yesudas Sankarabharanam Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
4 "Ramakadha" K. J. Yesudas Shubhapantuvarali Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
5 "Sree Vinayakam" K. J. Yesudas, Raveendran Hamsadhvani Kacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu.
6 "Bharatham" Kallara Gopan, Sangeetha Not picturised in film.
7 "Vasudevayani" M. G. Sreekumar Not picturised in film.
8 "Dhwani Prasadam" K. J. Yesudas Mayamalavagowla End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.

Release[edit | edit source]

Theatrical[edit | edit source]

Bharatham was released on 29 March 1991 considering as a Vishu season release.[9]

Home media[edit | edit source]

The VCD and DVD of the film was distributed by Saina Video Vision and Moser Baer. Asianet bagged the television rights and the digital streaming rights were shared by JioHotstar, streaming in their platform, and Millennium Cinemas, streaming on their YouTube channel.

Awards[edit | edit source]

National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards[10][11]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Five Mohanlal movies to watch before 'Drishyam 2'". Deccan Herald. 1 April 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  2. ↑ "An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi". Rediff.com. 22 August 1997. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
  3. ↑ "Mohanlal birthday special: Unforgettable performances that prove his legacy in Indian cinema". ANI. 21 May 2025. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  4. ↑ Prasad, Shishir; Ramnath, N. S.; Mitter, Sohini (27 April 2013). "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema". Forbes. Archived from the original on 12 January 2016. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "10 Mohanlal films to watch before you die". The Times of India.
  6. ↑ "மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்..." Dinamalar. 5 July 2015. Retrieved 19 May 2018.
  7. ↑ "Bharatham - Tharangni". Bandcamp. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. ↑ "Audio CD". Amazon. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. ↑ B., Shibu (13 April 2020). "For Kerala's Tinseltown, it's a lost Vishu". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  10. ↑ "Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012". Kerala Film Critics Association. 17 October 2020.
  11. ↑ "15th Film Critics Award - 1991". 6 January 2020 – via YouTube.

External links[edit | edit source]

Template:A. K. Lohithadas

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