Meghamalhar


Meghamalhar is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language romance film written and directed by Kamal from a story by Iqbal Kuttippuram. It stars Samyuktha Varma and Biju Menon in the lead roles while Sreenath,Siddique, Poornima Mohan, Shivaji and Raghavan play supporting roles. The film was jointly produced by M. V. Shreyams Kumar for Mathrubhumi and Asianet. It won two Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. The movie was reported to be inspired by the 1945 British movie Brief Encounter.

Plot

The film is the story of Rajeevan, an advocate, and Nandita Menon, a writer. Rajeevan is married to Rekha, a bank employee, and has two kids. Nandita is married to Mukundan, a businessman in the Persian Gulf, and has a daughter. Both lead their respective family lives happily. A mix-up in the cakes they ordered for their respective kids introduces the protagonists and their backgrounds. Both meet each other accidentally, and in due course, their relationship becomes intimate. Their tastes and thinking are almost alike.
When Rajeev narrates an incident in his childhood bearing uncanny resemblance to Nandita's short story, she realizes he is her childhood friend on whose shoulders she leaned in times of distress. A chemistry develops between them, which Rajeev mistakes for love, and he expresses his feelings to her. She responds predictably and tries to alienate him, ignoring him. Later, she gifts her book, "Megha Malhar", to him, revealing that she is his childhood friend.
Rajeev agrees never to meet her again and meets her for the last time. They travel together to Kanyakumari, where they spent their childhood together. They decide to part ways and live as strangers.

Soundtrack

The film's lyrics were written by O. N. V. Kurup and Nazim Akhtar, and the music was by Ramesh Narayan and Jithesh.

Reception

Box Office

This movie was a commercial success at the Kerala box office in the year 2001.

Critical response

A critic from Screen wrote that "It is, no doubt, that seeing Meghmalhaar would be a really different and unforgettable experience for the viewers who have been seeing dry, stale, meaningless stuff in the name of cinema". A critic from Cinesouth wrote that "May be, by ordinary standards, this movie might not become a grand hit, but it's a good attempt at making good movies. Something that speaks about the beauty of love and of family bonds".

Awards

;Kerala State Film Awards
;Kerala [Film Critics Association Awards]
;Filmfare Awards South
;Asianet Film Awards
; Other Awards