Lal Salam
‘Eee Nettooran vilichathil kooduthal mudravakyangal onnum sakhav Sethulakshmi vilichittilla’ - Nettooran, Mohanlal’s character in the film is more like an icon. Inspired by the lives of some towering figures in Kerala politics, Lal Salam’chronicles how communist party becomes a major political force in Kerala. A complete political drama, it zooms into the political and personal lives of its lead actors played by Mohanlal, Murali and Geetha.
Sandhesham
Sathyan Anthikad at his satirical best, it’s perhaps the best political comedy in Malayalam. More than two decades into its release Sandhesham can still whip up the funniest online memes, thanks to Sreenivasan’s brilliant screenplay. The story of the brothers-turned-political-foes could easily strike a chord with Keralites for its simple and realistic style. A true-blue satire, the film has a handful of politicians who will make you roll with laughter.
Bhoomiyile Rajakkanmar
They eat from frugal homes, hug old women, and wipe the running nose of kids. Such histrionics of candidates during campaigns featured in the movie. The scene where Mahendra Varma (Mohanlal) takes a dip in a bathtub with antiseptic liquid nailed the hypocrisy. The second film by Thampi Kannanathanam- Denis Joseph- Mohan Lal team after the super hit Rajavinte Makan narrated the entry of the scion of Thekkumkoor royal family into democracy for continuation of his power. Though it could not repeat the stupendous success of the team’s earlier film, it is still fresh for its portrayal of electoral politics in an authentic manner.
Sthalathe Pradhana Payyans
The film penned by Renji Paniker and filmed by Shaji Kailas was surprise bumper hit for its novel way of political criticism and caricature of some prominent politicians in the state. It showed, much before the experiments like AAP, that how a single person in a seat of power can tilt the system towards the common man. Gopalakrishnan (Jagadeesh) was chosen as a candidate by a wily shrewd politician as a pawn in his hands. However, the politically-naive man proves costly for his mentor as he turns a minister. Incidentally, Jagadeesh who played the role in a convincing manner is also in the electoral fray.
Vellimoonga
Mammachan is your quintessential local politician, the ever-smiling attention-seeker in khadi. The film shows how he climbs the political ladder employing many a trick, and yes, the man has no interest in any ideology. Vellimoonga follows its shrewd hero, a politician without any principle and how he manages to represent a national party in the elections. A hilarious take on small-town politicians and their conniving ways Vellimoonga makes politics more fun and less business.
Samooham
One of the low-profile films by Sathyan Anthikkad, Samooham showed how social activities of women damage their personal life. The film penned by J Pallassery revolves around a middle-class girl and her childhood lover and the problems in their relationship after her ascent to power. Rajalakshmy, who is actively involved in social activities, finds herself lonely as an MLA when her husband deserts her after she is unable to devote time to him. The film, which the underscored the archetypal attitude of society, was a flop.
Left Right Left
Here is a film that stockpiles the filth and unsavory realities of present-day politics. A testimonial to the political degeneration, it depicts how politics affects three individuals played by Indrajith, Murali Gopi and Hareesh Peradi. A bold and blunt attempt, the film created quite a flutter for its political explicitness. Left Right Left had a clever screenplay and and sparkling craft, but the film was more noted for its resemblance with real-life leaders and incidents.