Pazhassi Raja is a forthcoming biopic magnum opus historical film directed by T. Hariharan, and written by M.T. Vasudevan Nair. It stars Mammootty, Manoj K. Jayan, Thilakan, Padmapriya and Sarath Kumar in the lead roles with Kanika Subramaniam, Peter Handley Evans, Harry Key, and Jagathi Sreekumar in other pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack is written by acclaimed composer Illayaraja. The score was recorded in Hungary, with the prestigious Hungary Symphony Orchestra. The sound designing is done by Oscar Award Winner, Resul Pookutty. The film will subsequently be dubbed and released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi on the same date.
The Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 is considered to be the first organized revolt against British rule and as the first step in India's struggle for independence. But more than half a century prior to that, Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of the Padinjare Kovilakom of the Kottayam family, irked by the unpopular revenue policy followed by the East India Company in Malabar, threatened to cut down all the pepper vines if the Company persisted in revenue collection. A determined but futile attempt was made by the British to capture the Raja in his own palace at Pazhassi in April 1796.
Subsequently a proclamation was issued forbidding people from supporting the Raja, threatening confiscation of their property if they did so. In January 1797 the Raja's men launched daring attack on the security personnel stationed at Pazhassi, exterminating the entire party save one. In pitched battles fought over three days, the Raja's men using swords, spears, bows and arrows, overpowered the British forces armed with muskets. The British had to sign a temporary truce.
When the occupying forces broke the terms of the truce, the Raja revolted again, but by then the British had control over most of the south. The Raja, accompanied by his wife and immediate attendants, took refuge in the jungles. In 1804 the Raja's properties were confiscated and a reward was proclaimed for his head. Towards the end of 1805, the Raja was surrounded and shot dead by the side of a stream.
Hariharan, MT Vasudevan Nair and Mammootty, the people behind Oru Vadakkan Veeragaatha, an epoch making film that became a milestone in Malayalam cinema, are in the making of another epic, which is to hit the screens during the Christmas season. The film, which is being shot with a Pan Vision camera and exploits the latest technical advancements, has Mammootty playing the lead role of Pazhassi Raja. Tamil actor Sarath Kumar makes his debut in Malayalam with this film, playing Edachena Kunkan, the best friend of Pazhassi Raja.
Narrated by...
* Mohanlal (Malayalam)
* Kamal Haasan (Tamil)
* Shahrukh Khan (Hindi)
* Chiranjeevi (Telugu)
Directed by T. Hariharan
Produced by Gokulam Gopalan
Written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair
Starring Mammootty
Mammootty as Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja
Sarath Kumar as Edachena Kunkan
Padmapriya Janakiraman as Neeli
Kanika Subramaniam as Kaitheri Makkom
Suman as Pazhayamveedan Chandhu
Manoj K. Jayan as Thalakkal Chandhu
Thilakan as Kurumbranaadu Raja Veeravarma
Jagathy Sreekumar as Kanara Menon
Nedumudi Venu as Moopan
Linda Arsenio as Dora
Suresh Krishna as Kaitheri Ambu
Devan as Kannavathu Nambiar
Lalu Alex as Emman Nair
Captain Raju as Unni Mootha
Jagadeesh as Bhandari
Peter Handley Evans as Major James Gordon
Harry Key as Thomas Hervey Baber
Music by Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography Ramanath Shetty
Editing by A.Sreekar Prasad
Release date(s) October 16, 2009
Country India
Language Malayalam,Tamil,Telungu,Hindi and English
Budget INR 27 Crores
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