Thaniyavarthanam

Thaniyavarthanam (Malayalam: തനിയാവര്‍ത്തനം) is a 1987 Malayalam drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Mammootty, Thilakan, Mukesh, Saritha, Asha Jayaram, Philomina and Kaviyoor Ponnamma in the lead roles. The story revolves around a family whose male members have a history of lunacy. School teacher Balan Mash (Mammootty) has an uncle who is mentally ill. It is believed that this illness is hereditary. After the death of the uncle, society starts judging and evaluating Balan's every move and eventually deems him to be mentally ill.

Plot

Balan Mash (Mammootty) is an art teacher who lives in a tiny hamlet in Kerala. He has a serene life, with two children, a wife, a mother and a revolutionary brother - Gopi(Mukesh), a typical kootu kudumbam, or joint family, of Kerala. Balan Mash has an uncle who is mentally challenged. His uncle became a mental patient after a separation with his lover; this underlines the deep-rooted belief among their family that one male from each generation will go mad as a person from their past generation had sinned by throwing the idol of 'Devi' in a well.He was cursed by the goddess and became a lunatic.This curse would pass down through generations.Balan Mash's uncle finally died and the talk of the town became - "Who would be next - Balan or Gopi ?"