“An actor is at most a poet and at least an entertainer,” said Marlon Brando, acclaimed American actor and film-maker. Malayalam cinema has a handful of actors who have written excellent verses with their expressions and gesticulations. The late actor Murali has explored myriad human souls through his intense emotional engagements on screen. Nine years after his demise following a cardiac arrest at the age of 55, Onmanorama lists Murali's 'navarasas,' instances where Murali emoted the nine basic emotions at his best.
1) Sringaram or romance in 'Valayam' (1992)
A much-discussed Sibi Malayil movie, penned by famous director-screen writer Lohithadas, Valayam was first to expose the fuzzy lives of lorry-drivers in Kerala. Murali played the protagonist character called Sreedharan who lands in deep trouble as his friends interfere in and manipulate his personal life. However, the movie has some deep romantic sequences where the raw actor in Murali is seen adorning some really erotic expressions. This song sequence starring Murali and Suvarna Mathew is an example to Murali's incredible skills in emoting 'Sringaram.'
2) Veeram or heroism in Prayikkara Pappan (1995)
Prayikkara Pappan deals with the lives of mahouts. Murali plays the role of Achyuthan, an orphan who is extremely talented in controlling elephants. Though the story unfurls as Achyuthan ventures out to avenge the killers of his parents, the movie has some extremely heroic scenes where he brings rogue elephants under control through life-threatening encounters. Here's such a scene:
3) Bhibhatsa or disgust in Kaattathoru Penpoovu (1998)
One of the most unsophisticated, rough characters played by Murali, Kanakan of Kaattathoru Penpoovu is a next-door man for any Keralite. Though he shares his heart with his childhood love played by Sangeetha, Kanakan gets forced to marry another woman to satisfy his father's will. However, he discovers that his wife is into prostitution soon after his marriage. He separates himself from her and unites with his childhood love. Murali's expression when he discovers his wife's (Manju Pillai) passion is a classic instance to his skills in enacting disgust or Bhibhatsa.
4) Karunam in Valayam
Valayam is set in the rustic ambience of a north-Kerala village where lower middle-class people share pains, sorrows and joys among themselves. Protagonist Sreedharan's entry into his own house to watch his beloved sister's final moments and funeral leaves any movie lover in tears. Murali pours his heart out in loud sobs manifesting a layman's unsuppressed, free flow of emotions.
5) Shantam or peace in Garshom (1999)
This A P T Kunjumohammed movie starring Urvashi, Murali, Madhu, Siddique et al picturises the pain of a nostalgic Keralite who is forced to spend his lifetime working in the deserts of middle-east owing to his financial problems. He reminisces his college life, cherishes the presence of his family and enjoys his teenage hobbies on his vacation to Kerala with sheer sense of dispossession. The movie has some soothing Hindustani music tracks and a full-fledged performance by famed Hindustani-Gazal musician Ramesh Narayan. The scenes of this popular melody, which goes as 'Parayan maranna paribhavangal..' is the best example of Murali's flair in emoting 'peacefulness' aka Shantam.
6) Raudram or anger in Lal Salam (1990)
Lal Salam, the multi-starrer political thriller, portrays the rebellious life and political career of first-generation communists in Kerala. Discussing labour class struggles, advent of Marxism, communist politics and the shift to new-age capitalist paradigm in the communist party, Lal Salam is a tribute to the propounders of Kerala's communist movement. The Venu Nagavally movie gifted Mollywood two of our ever-time favourite comrades, Nettooran (Mohanlal) and TK (Murali.) A fierce communist politician in real life also, Murali has played some ferocious scenes in this movie making up the best of his 'Raudram' mood.
7) Hasyam or comedy in Sakshyam (1995)
It is really hard to find this sturdy actor enacting comedy sequences. With his subtle roughness, Murali easily blends into a comedy scene, attributing the instance in his own fashion. Mammootty-starrer Amaram and Madhu Kaithapram directorial Ekaantham (2006) have some good humour scenes involving Murali. Here's one such comedy scene from A N Mohan's 'Sakshyam.'
8) Bhayanakam or fear in Lal Salam
The movie Lal Salam shows the political struggles, rise to power and the pathetic fall of a headstrong politician called TK, played beautifully by Murali. Murali handles the final moments of his character in the hospital bed with display of varied emotions. He brings sympathy, love, passion, vigour, romance, scorn and wonder on his face before the final breath. The fear of 'losing life' conveyed to his long-term friend and comrade Nettooran showcases Murali's skills in emoting the rasa of 'Bhayanakam.'
9) Athbhutham or wonder in Akashadooth (1993)
Akashadooth is an evergreen tragedy that leaves the audience in tears even if they have watched it a number of times. It tells the story of an ailing widow who gives away her children to adoption after learning about her fatal disease. Murali plays the role of actress Madhavi's husband Johny in the movie. Johny dies in a road accident. The scene in which Johny discovers his wife's severe disease is extremely disheartening. Murali responds with wonder, disappointment and grief to the tragic words of his wife.
