Aadupuliyattam
A 2016 Malayalam horror film about betrayal and vengeful spirits.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Aadupuliyattam (transl. lambs and tigers game) is a 2016 Indian Malayalam-language horror film directed by Kannan Thamarakkulam and written by Dinesh Palleth. The film stars Jayaram, Om Puri, Ramya Krishnan, Sheelu Abraham, Akshara Kishor, Saju Navodaya, Ramesh Pisharody, and Sampath Raj in lead roles. It was a commercial success at the box office.
- Release date
- 20 May 2016
- Language
- Malayalam
- Director
- Kannan Thamarakkulam
- Writer
- Dinesh Palleth
- Lead actors
- Jayaram, Om Puri, Ramya Krishnan, Sheelu Abraham, Akshara Kishor, Saju Navodaya, Ramesh Pisharody, Sampath Raj
- Filming locations
- Palani and Thodupuzha
- Box office
- ₹15.42 crore (US$1.6 million) within 50 days from Kerala
Lore & Background
The film begins with a prince falling in love with a woman named Chempakam. After being defeated in war, he escapes to her palace, Chempakakotai, where she cuts her own throat to protect him, cursing the palace so that anyone who enters is killed by a supernatural power. The story then shifts to Sathyajith, a wealthy businessman haunted by visions, who learns from a yogi that the property he bought, Chempakakotai, is the source of the haunting. A flashback reveals that Sathyajith and his friends were fraudsters who cheated a woman named Mathangi and her daughter Malli, leading to Malli's death by starvation. In the present, Malli's ghost seeks revenge, and only Mathangi can calm her spirit. The film ends with Mathangi sacrificing herself, and the spirits of Mathangi and Malli ascend to the sky.
Reader's Guide
Aadupuliyattam is notable as a commercial success in Malayalam cinema, grossing approximately ₹15.42 crore within 50 days in Kerala. The film features a cast including veteran actor Om Puri and Ramya Krishnan, and was directed by Kannan Thamarakkulam. Its plot intertwines a historical curse with a modern story of betrayal and supernatural revenge. The film was dubbed into Tamil as Shenbaga Kottai, Telugu as Mathangi, and Hindi as Mera Badla - Revenge 2. After its release, a percentage of the film's gross profit was announced to be shared with the family of a Dalit girl from Perumbavoor who was brutally raped and killed in 2016, reflecting a social gesture by the filmmakers.
Did You Know?
- The film's pooja ceremony was held in November 2015 at Thodupuzha, Kerala.
- Sheelu Abraham's role was initially offered to and rejected by Jewel Mary, Sheila Kaur, and Asha Sarath.
- Jayaram's salt and pepper hairstyle in the film was suggested by his son Kalidas Jayaram.
- The soundtrack was composed by Ratheesh Vegha and released on 6 April 2016 by East Coast Audios.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Aadupuliyattam?
Aadupuliyattam is a 2016 Malayalam-language horror film whose title roughly translates to 'lambs and tigers game.' It was released on 20 May 2016 and became a commercial hit at the box office.
Who directed and wrote Aadupuliyattam?
Kannan Thamarakkulam directed the film, while Dinesh Palleth penned the screenplay.
What is the plot of Aadupuliyattam about?
The story centers on themes of betrayal and vengeful spirits, weaving a horror narrative around characters who face supernatural retribution.
Who are the lead actors in Aadupuliyattam?
The cast includes Jayaram, Om Puri, Ramya Krishnan, Sheelu Abraham, Akshara Kishor, Saju Navodaya, Ramesh Pisharody, and Sampath Raj in principal roles.
Where was Aadupuliyattam filmed?
Principal photography took place in the towns of Palani and Thodupuzha in Kerala.
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