User reviews

I write this just a few minutes after I watched Kireedam for the first time. I am blown away by this film. After seeing films like Manichithrathazhu (1993), Manasinakkare (2003), and Kireedam, I have a totally new respect for Malayalam cinema. Because most Malayalam films are basically about super-hero men who walk around giving melodramatic speeches, I spent my whole life thinking that those silly Bollywood blockbusters were India's best films. But now I know better. While the Hindi film industry has offered some fine films (e.g., Dil Chahta Hai and Sholay), the majority of the best Indian movies I've seen are Malayalam films.

I became a Mohanlal fanatic after watching his performance in Mani Ratnam's criminally under-appreciated Iruvar (1997). For me, seeing Kireedam cements Mohanlal's position as one of India's top 2 or 3 greatest actors, if not the greatest.

What makes Kireedam so special is that it is completely plot-driven. As we all know, a completely plot-driven film is a rarity in Indian cinema, North or South. Also, this movie is an intense character study both of a young man whose bright future deteriorates before his very eyes and of a father (Thilakan) who is forced to watch helplessly as it happens. Before seeing Kireedam, I never realized how brilliant an actor Thilakan can be.

Kireedam is one of Indian cinema's best films, and it is a cultural treasure for every Malayalee. I actually think that I understand my parents' native Kerala much better now that I have seen this film.

This is not just one of the actor Mohanlal's best but also one of the best movies ever made as far as characterisation goes.The lead character Sethumadhavan played by Mohanlal, the honest cop cum father role by Thilakan, the local bigmouth goonda played by Haneefa, the short but sweet role of Sethumatdhavan's sweetheart played by Parvathi, the villain role of Keerikdan Jose are still etched in the memory of all who saw the film. Even now people will have a lump in their throat thinking about how Sethumadhavan's dreams and aspirations get crushed one by one. Might be people were able to see themselves in Sethumadhavn's shoes and realising that their dreams are being cut halfway through, left them with a sense of helplessness and pitiness, which in turn got translated into love for the character and the movie on the whole. The film was such a huge success as well as critically acclaimed that two more sequels were made with the same cast. Mohanlal got a National special jury award for his sensitive portrayal of Sethumadhavan, a character which will remain in the memory of many a cinemagoer for years.

The film which made me die-hard fan of Mohanlal. Plot written by A.k.Lohithdas & directed by Sibi malayil talks about a young aspiring lad who's life became a hell (his dream seems tumbling off) when circumstance were against him & ended as a noted criminal. A.K Lohithdas scrutiny developed script given each character depth subtly without any unnecessary scene. Mohanlal as a stoic protagonist just mesmerize me with his natural acting, he is natural at his best. To my reckon, this probably may be one among those movie to unleash Mohanlal as a omnipotent actor. Its pity that Mohanlal just got special jury instead of giving best actor. Thilkan as his father was equally superb. Climax scene showing the duo chemistry was arguably best acted ever. In climax Mohanlal makes myriad of emotion and his crumbling emotion will surely evoke oodle of tears. Others supporting actors given ample support which is demanded by them. Songs by Johnson was masterpiece especially Kaneer poovinte, never a keralite can forget this song. Director Sibi easily tow all the actors performance & remain as his laborious work. Movie is juxtaposed in 140 min. Standing ovation to stalwarts like Thilkan, A.k lohithdas & Johnson for their contribution till end.

Beautiful portrayal of father son relationship by the mega stars Lalettan and Thilakan. Its so realistic and so believable that we care for the characters even after the movie climaxes. If I were to narrate the plot to you, you may not like it much. Its the screenplay and natural acting that made the film the blockbuster that it deserves to be. This movie when remade in other languages lost the essence as the heros were shown too heroic and righteous. Original is a masterpiece.

The film as a whole is a painfully realistic depiction of Sethu's life and the way his youthful dreams were replaced by the horror of being offered an undesirable crown.Acting performances are noticeably excellent. May it be for the lead actors or the actors who handled smaller roles. Watch the film for the sharp performances by Mohanlal and Thilakan, may be, playing their roles of the lifetime.

One of the Best Movie from the team Sibi Malayil and Crew. The theme of the movie is Great. Mohanlal acting as 'Sethumadhavan' who tried to get a police officer job like his father 'Thilakan'. But suddenly his father get transfer to a police station in Ramapuram.

This is well known for Criminals. His father try to catch a criminal named 'Kireekadan Jose'but suddenly his son 'sethumadhavan' beat Kireekadan to save his father's life. But he don't know that Kireekadan was a dangerous criminal in that area. Finally Kireekadan come to kill Sethumadhavan but he defeat Kireekadan and become a next criminal. One of the Best movie that shows the transformation of a Yong man to a Criminal. ... 'A MUST WATCH MOVIE'

Kireedam (1989) : Brief Review -

Malayalam Cinema's Classic Human Transformation Film Noir that hasn't been matched despite several remakes. If any film is being remade we people say it must be a good film and that's why it is being remade but do we actually see the real proportions drew by orginal or do we even see how much credit goes to the original source? Kireedam has been remade 6 times in India but not a single film managed to match or even touch the closer mark of this orginal. Malayalam Cinema in 80s breached the code of human transformation and film noir with this Action flick. All the positivity at once tries too much but turns negative and it's so heart wrenching to see because it comes from a common man's life not any intellectual brain. The film is about a young dynamic guy who wants to fulfill his Father's dream by getting into Police Services but his life takes U turn after he encounters a local good to save his lovable father. Mohanlal in the lead role nails it in every aspect from action to emotions. The supporting cast does fantastic work as we could not point out a single weak performance. From Cinematography to Editing to Music Kireedam never lose the essence of it's storyline and the writer convinces everyone with brilliant writing and engaging screenplay. Sibi Malayil did a great job at director's chair and he really thought about every aspect while executing the scenes on screen. From cinematic nuances to commons theories he moulded everything in one solid shape and made Kireedam a perfect 80s Action Drama scoring high on Noir aspects. Kireedam is an influential film for mainstream action flicks (i have seen many films copying many things from it) trying to bring something amazing stuff apart from action, revenge, emotions and family values. Nothing more to say, Kireedam is a Classic!

RATING - 8/10*

By - #samthebestest

The film which made me die-hard fan of Mohanlal. Plot written by A.k.Lohithdas & directed by Sibi malayil talks about a young aspiring lad who's life became a hell (his dream seems tumbling off) when circumstance were against him & ended as a noted criminal. A.K Lohithdas scrutiny developed script given each character depth subtly without any unnecessary scene. Mohanlal as a stoic protagonist just mesmerize me with his natural acting, he is natural at his best. To my reckon, this probably may be one among those movie to unleash Mohanlal as a omnipotent actor. Its pity that Mohanlal just got special jury instead of giving best actor. Thilkan as his father was equally superb. Climax scene showing the duo chemistry was arguably best acted ever. In climax Mohanlal makes myriad of emotion and his crumbling emotion will surely evoke oodle of tears. Others supporting actors given ample support which is demanded by them. Songs by Johnson was masterpiece & never ever a keralite can forget 'Kaneer poovinte' this song is enough to make anyone yell. Director Sibi malayil easily tow off all the actors performance deftly. This remain as one of his laborious work. Movie is juxtaposed in 140 min. Standing ovation to stalwarts like Thilkan, A.k Lohithdas & Johnson for their contribution given till their end.

This is a film of it's time. The budget is very low, the fight scenes are clearly fake. The plot is quite simple. I understand movies like this were amazing at the time in India, cause India were outdated in filmmaking in comparison to many other countries. It's not worth watching by todays standarts unless you want to see what kind of films they used to make back in the day and what was once considered amazing.

Only the tears of the crown can be remembered only with tears. Sethumadhavan who is desirous of being an SI. He murders all the hopes of his father and murders him. Malayalee will never forget that Thilakan is going to knock down Mohanlal in the climax. Mohanlal has won many awards for best actor.

To be frank this is the master piece of Malayalam cinema lalettan acting was adipoli (chanceless) his expression in the climax was truly unexpressable the way he conveyed through his face with anger mixture of pain that he done wrong and his dreams were shattered like that too notch acting lastly a must watch.

Mohanlal and thilakan best perfomance at the last moment everyone will cry

A best emotional movie World class acting by the complete actor mohanlal .. best family experience. This movie will give you a scar in your heart after

The movie is wonderful the way of acting of thilikan sir and mohanlal sir was fantastic

Sibi malayil and Lohithadas made a masterpiece . Mohanlal and thilakan sir's performance , literally no words.

Life was ruined by the dreams of the police.

A young man dream was becoming the police, but life was shettering after fighting with local bad persons.

A classic malyalam movie which make you not boar at single time. The best acting, story and screenplay. All actors acted best at his place. Mohanlal such a great actor not in malyalam industry but best at whole India cinemas.

A must watch movie. the casting was good.

Great acting, writing, direction, and special mention to MGs kaneer poovinde takes you to a emotional journey of a man who did right as a son and still got persecuted terribly by his family, friends and society.

I completely agree to your opinion on the movie. But to my limited knowledge, not many superb films have a comparable sequel to them. In this case, I would like you to watch Chenkol, the continuation of Kireedam. As a matter of fact, many viewers have rated Chenkol lower to Kireedam. Even I did, immediately after seeing the move. But after ruminating over it, I came to the conclusion that the movie could even be rated over kireedam. Just because it is next to impossible to be brutally honest to the theme,carry forward the script and portray it. So, to those who have not seem the film, I recommend Chenkol. You may, just may, have a disturbing time after watching it. But its worth it.

One of the finely crafted classic movie from the golden age of Malayalam movies.

Great acting, writing, direction, and special mention to MGs kaneer poovinde takes you to a emotional journey of a man who did right as a son and still got persecuted terribly by his family, friends and society.

As a child when I saw the movie I always wondered why sethu was treated like this?? But in my adulthood I realised that's life. Sometime the things you do thinking is right may be wrong to others and this implies in every aspects of our life.

No matter how technically and visually today's movies are; it will never have one thing that the movies of golden era had!! That's HEART