Praja
Praja (transl. Citizen) is a 2001 Indian Malayalam-language political thriller film directed by Joshiy and written by Renji Panicker. It was also produced by Joshiy and Panicker. The film stars Mohanlal, N. F. Varghese, Anupam Kher, Cochin Haneefa, and Aishwarya. The film's songs were composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, while C. Rajamani provided the background score.[1]
Praja | |
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Directed by | Joshiy |
Produced by | Joshiy Renji Panicker |
Written by | Renji Panicker |
Starring | Mohanlal Anupam Kher Aishwarya Cochin Haneefa |
Music by | M. G. Radhakrishnan (Songs) C. Rajamani (Score) |
Cinematography | Sanjeev Shankar |
Edited by | K. Sankunny P. C. Mohanan |
Production company | Mukyadhara |
Distributed by | Swargachitra |
Release date | 14 December 2001 |
Running time | 187 minutes |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Plot
Ex-underworld don Zakkir Ali Hussein, after giving up violence, is settled peacefully in the suburbs of Kochi. It was under the strong influence of his foster father, Bappu Haji Mustafa, that he left Mumbai. An unsuccessful assassination attempt on Haji Mustafa in Mumbai by Raman Naik, an underworld don ignites old wounds in Zakir. He, despite repeated pleas from Haji Mustafa and Ilanthaloor Rama Varma, a father like figure, sets out to Mumbai along with his trusted lieutenant Hamid Plavilakandi Mather, alias Malayalees.
With the help of his friend Arjun, Zakeer kills down Raman Naik and reaches back in Kochi. On his way back, at Kochi, he meets up with Maya Mary Kurien, Asst. Commissioner of Police, who slowly starts developing a crush on him. Zakir Hussein is visited by Balaraman, a liquor baron and ex-MP, who warns Zakkir of dire consequences if he continues to interfere in the Mumbai crime world. He also attempts to woo Zakir, but the latter refuses to bow down, sending strong warning to Balaraman and his group.
Balaraman, along with Devadevan Nambiar, alias DD, and Arun Naik, the brother of Raman Naik in Mumbai, is planning to finish off Zakir Hussein and Haji Mustafa to regain the lost turf in Mumbai. They are supported by Lahayil Vakkachan, the tainted state home minister. Joseph Madachery, the IG of police conducts a raid at Haji Mustafa's poor home on behalf of Vakachan, and beats up Rama Varma Thirumulpad brutally, but the sudden arrival of Zakir saves him. Joseph is severely beaten by Zakir in full public presence, which infuriates Balaraman and DD, who try to demoralize Zakir by publishing fabricated stories about his relationship with ACP Maya Kurein and inmates of Haji Mustafa's poor home.
Lahayil Vakachan tries to create a truce between Zakir and Balaraman, but fails miserably. This leads to a series of problems, including the arrest of Jaganathan, a close buddy of Zakir, on false narcotic drug charges. Jaganathan is killed in police custody. Balaraman and DD kill Rama Varma Thirumulpad, which prompts Zakir to take the law in his own hands. At a public gathering while addressing thousands of party workers, Zakir Hussein enters by duping police and kills Balaraman, DD and Lahayil Vakkachan.
Cast
- Mohanlal as Zakkir Ali Hussein
- Aishwarya as ASP Maya Mary Kurien
- Biju Menon as Arjun
- Manoj K. Jayan as SP David Abraham
- Cochin Haneefa as Hamid Plaavullakandi Methar / Malayalees
- Babu Namboothiri as Rama Varma Thirumalpadu
- N. F. Varghese as Lahayil Vakkachan
- Vijayaraghavan as Devadevan Nambiar (DD)
- Shammi Thilakan as Balaraman
- Vijayakumar as Jagannathan alias Appu
- Baburaj as DIG Joseph Madacherry
- Jagannatha Varma as Mannel Mammachan
- Mahesh Anand as Raman Naik
- Devan as City Police Commissioner
- Anupam Kher as Haji Mustafa
- Suresh Krishna as Unni Pisharodi
- Sukumari as Appu's mother
- Ponnamma Babu as Girija
- Subair as Soman
- Irshad as Driver Sundaram
- Jose Pellissery as Priest
- Ravali as Diana
Soundtrack
Praja | ||||
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Soundtrack album by | ||||
Released | 19 July 2001 | |||
Genre | Popular music | |||
Language | Malayalam, Hindi | |||
Label | Satyam Audios | |||
Producer | M. G. Radhakrishnan | |||
M. G. Radhakrishnan chronology | ||||
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The features songs composed by M. G. Radhakrishnan, and written by Gireesh Puthenchery, M. D. Rajendran, and M. P. Muralidharan. The soundtrack also includes the song "Yeh Zindagi Usi Ki Hai" from the 1953 film Anarkali. The soundtrack album was released by Satyam Audios on 19 July 2001.[2]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
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1. | "Allikalil" (Male Version; Raga: Hindolam) | M. D. Rajendran | M. G. Sreekumar | 5:10 |
2. | "Chandhanamani" (Raga: Hameer Kalyani) | Gireesh Puthenchery | M. G. Sreekumar | 5:28 |
3. | "Chandhanamani" (Duet Version) | Gireesh Puthenchery | M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan | 5:27 |
4. | "Aaja" | M. P. Mralidharan | Vasundara Das, Mohanlal | 4:33 |
5. | "Akaleyanengilum" | M. D. Rajendran | M. G. Sreekumar | 5:18 |
6. | "Allikalil" | M. D. Rajendran | M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan | 5:10 |
7. | "Yeh Zindagi" (Music: C. Ramchandra) | Rajendra Krishan | Sujatha Mohan | 5:13 |
References
- Warrier, Shobha (29 January 2001). "Aishwarya... unbound!". Rediff.com. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- "Praja (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by M. G. Radhakrishnan". iTunes. Retrieved 24 April 2020.