Mohanlal’s Manichitrathazhu was released in 1993.
Manichitrathazhu’s re-release is complemented by brilliant reviews praising the theatre experience of the film’s remastered 4K version.
The makers of Mohanlal starrer Manichitrathazhu re-released the digitally remastered 4K Dolby Atmos version in theatres worldwide on August 17. It was directed by Fazil and starred Suresh Gopi and Shobana in the lead roles apart from Mohanlal. The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment whereas the actress Shobana was awarded the National Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Ganga/Nagavalli in the film.
Manichitrathazhu was released in 1993. The makers have now released a better sound-quality version of the film. Manichitrathazhu has reportedly collected Rs 1.10 crore at the box office in two days.
According to film industry tracker AB George, the Malayalam classic Manichithrathazhu has received a tremendous response with the re-release of its remastered version. As per the reports, the film achieved a Housefull Sunday at the box office in Kerala. The film’s collection has reportedly crossed Rs 1 crore. The impressive performance is complemented by brilliant reviews praising the theatre experience of the film’s remastered version.
In 1993, the film collected Rs 7 crore at the box office. The songs of the film were composed by MG Radhakrishnan while the background score was given by Johnson. The lyrics were penned by Bichu Thirumala. The film was produced by Swargachitra Appachan. PN Mani also won the Kerala State Award for the Best Makeup.
The re-release of Manichitrathazhu comes at a time when there is a growing trend of reviving classic films using modern technology to bring the magic of older films to today’s audiences.
Manichitrathazhu dealt with an unusual subject that was not common in Indian cinema at that time. The film ran for 300 days in many theatres. Manichitrathazhu was remade in four languages- in Kannada as Apthamitra, which in turn was remade in Tamil as Chandramukhi (with some plot changes), in Bengali as Rajmohol and in Hindi as Bhool Bhulaiyaa. All were commercially successful. Geethaanjali, a spin-off directed by Priyadarshan and with Mohanlal in the role of Dr Sunny Joseph, was made in 2013.
The film follows the story of a married couple who goes back to their ancestral home where Shobana gets possessed by the spirit of a dancer Nagavalli. Mohanlal plays the role of a psychiatrist who further solves Ganga’s personality disorder.