Leela starring Biju Menon continues to run to packed houses winning the appreciation of both critics and the people. Based on writer Unni R's short story, Leela has been able to more or less meet the reader's expectations
Here, we take a look at other brilliant narratives that had an equal or better stint at the silver screen:
♠ Thoovanathumbikal: This timeless classic from Mohanlal-Padmarajan combo has been a favourite among people ever since it hit the screens in 1987. The movie is based on filmmaker Padmarajan's own story 'Udakappola'. Though the original narrative painted a realistic and uneasy picture of the lower strata of the society, for the movie, Padmarajan concentrated on the lead pair—Jayakrishnan and Clara, turning it into a evergreen romantic saga. Though with the necessary changes made to meet the expectations of the movie goers, Thoovanathumbikal is widely regarded as a successful adaptation of the novel.
♠ Chemmeen: Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai is a master storyteller. And when Thakazhi decided to narrate the tale of the fisherfolk, Malayalam literature was gifted with a gem called as Chemmeen. Such was the power of dialogues and plot in the novel that when acclaimed filmmaker Ramu Kariat turned it into a movie, he stayed faithful to the original till the last word. The movie brought home many national and international accolades.
♠ Mazha: Though Malayalam literature has had many unique writers and novels, none focussed on the perils of everyday women. It took writer Kamala Suriya aka Madhavikutty to bring to the fore 'the woman with her right for fantasies'. Working her soul and body out for the family was not the only task meant for woman, she liked to be cajoled and loved too, Madhavikutty said, much to the dismay of our patriarchal society. Her 'Nashtapetta Neelambiri' laments about the lost love of a teenage girl, the repercussions of which rattle her throughout her life. The same story was played out on the silver screen by Samyukta Varma in Lenin Rajendran's Mazha that reached out to a wider audience on the theme of woman.
♠ Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathirakolapathakathinte Katha: Mystery is probably the most difficult of genres to handle whether in books or on screen. But Paleri Manikyam has the distinction of scripting a success tale in both its avatars as a detective novel and an investigation thriller. Mammotty in three different roles was the one highlight of the movie, while the plot staying rooted to the original was the second. Filmmaker Ranjith was able to successfully turn T. P. Rajeevan's novel based on the first documented murder in Kerala to a runaway success on the silver screen.
♠ Enu Swantam Janakikutty: Jnanpith-award winner MT Vasudevan Nair's 'Cheriya Cheriya Bhookampangal' beautifully blossomed into Enu Swantam Janakikutty on screen and brought home the all-too prestigious National Award for Jomol's acting. MT himself chiselled out the story of a teenager's musings and narrated the rustic tale of the girl, the quaint 'kavu', and the friendly spirit.
♠ Bhargavinilayam: Vaikam Mohammed Basheer is a craftsman when it comes to narrating tales, with his unique ability to weave in humour even in the most unlikely situations. He did just that while telling us the story of a haunted house called Bhargavinilayam in the short story 'Pachavelicham'. The popularity of the short story ensured its debut on the silver screen, where it repeated its success tale.
♠ Ozhimuri: Giving a new angle to woman's fight for her rights was director Madhupal's Ozhimuri (document for separation). Following a non-linear structure of narration that keeps toggling between two generations living along Kerala-Tamil Nadu border, the director told us a wife's unique struggle to finally win her husband's respect. The movie script is based on writer Jeymohan's 'Uravidangal'.
♠ Namukku Paarkkaan Munthirithoppukal: Yet another romantic flick from Mohanlal that had the Malayali audience swooning. Based on KK Sudhakaran's 'Namukku Gramangalil Chennu Raaparkaam', the movie gave new facets to the idea of romance and the ultimate hero. The movie stayed more or less loyal to its written format, but had a more a dramatic climax. However, both the movie and the novel ended on a happy note much to the delight of the people.
♠ Mathilukal: Basheer once again, and this time he took us to the barred enclosures of our state prisons, where he sowed the seeds of romance in a premise infamous for its torture camps and inhuman living conditions. Leaning on to a towering wall, Mammootty as Basheer converses with a woman residing at the female cell in a conversation that hovers around romance.
♠ Kaliyattam: William Shakespeare's dramas have an universal appeal, with Kerala filmmakers too liberally taking to the narratives and giving them the Malayali touch. Probably one of the best Shakespearen adaptations in Malayalam would be Jayraaj's Kaliyattam with stars like Suresh Gopi, Majnu Warrier and Lal competing with one another for stellar performances. The rewards for the 'Othello' adaptation came in the form of National award for Suresh Gopi and Jayraaj.