For the iconic actor Mohanlal, the year 2000 saw the bookending of his career with two notable films: **Narasimham** and **Devadoothan**. While the former, an action film directed by Shaji Kailas, struck gold at the box office, the reception to the latter, a mystery horror film by Sibi Malayil, was considerably lukewarm. However, over the years, Devadoothan has amassed a large following, primarily due to its compelling story and enchanting music. As a digitally remastered version of Devadoothan hits theatres on July 26, anticipation is palpable. Veteran filmmaker Sibi Malayil expressed his pleasant surprise over the film’s newfound popularity, crediting social media and television re-runs for its resurgence.
Sibi opined, “During that period, Mohanlal’s larger-than-life image in successive films had created certain expectations. Devadoothan featured him in a more subdued role as a music director, which may have initially disappointed his fans.” However, he remains optimistic that the revamped version of the film will attract a substantial audience. Sibi revealed that the film has undergone editing and fine-tuning, with some scenes omitted to cater to contemporary viewers. Written by Raghunath Paleri, Devadoothan features Mohanlal and Jayaprada in the lead roles.
Devadoothan marks the second re-release of a Mohanlal film in recent times. Earlier in 2023, the remastered 4K Dolby Atmos version of Bhadran’s 1995 cult classic **Spadikam** was released amid great excitement. Spadikam, a landmark in Mohanlal’s career, earned him the Kerala State Best Actor Award for his portrayal of Aadu Thoma, and it remains a critically and commercially successful film.
Director Bhadran revealed that nearly a crore was spent on Spadikam’s digital makeover to make it suitable for modern theatre screens. He reminisced, “Technology was not advanced back then, so we had to make several compromises. This time, we edited out some minor action scenes and added new elements, thanks to VFX technology.” Bhadran humorously added, “There is a scene where Aadu Thoma drinks sheep’s blood to recover from a beating, and initially, we could only gather around 40 sheep. Now, with VFX, we got to show about 500 sheep.
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The overwhelming response to Spadikam from a new generation of viewers has seemingly encouraged producers to revisit and re-release other classic hits. The remarkable success of the Tamil film **Ghilli**, headlined by Vijay and re-released after two decades, likely influenced this trend, aiming to rekindle interest in Malayalam cinema’s storied past.
Moreover, the 2022 event **Keraleeyam**, organized by the Government of Kerala to celebrate the state’s culture, featured screenings of classic and blockbuster films curated by the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy. Held at prominent theatres in Thiruvananthapuram, films like **Neelakkuyil**, **Vanaprastham**, **Godfather**, and **Manichitrathazhu** saw packed houses. A striking observation was that the audience consisted predominantly of youngsters eager to experience these classics on the large screen.
An official from the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy noted that some films were digitally remastered in 2K, with significant contributions from Kollam-based D Soman Pillai, owner of Matinee Now. The unexpected enthusiastic response included a nearly one-kilometer-long queue for the screening of **Manichitrathazhu**.
Set for a re-release in August, Manichitrathazhu celebrates its 30th anniversary. It entranced viewers with its narrative, music, choreography, and stellar cast. While director Fazil declined to comment on the re-release, Venu, one of the cinematographers, welcomed the news, emphasizing the importance of preserving and restoring old films for new audiences.
Another classic under consideration for digital remastering is **Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha** (1989), featuring Mammootty and directed by Hariharan. Scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair, the film redefined the role of Chandu and is memorable for Mammootty’s iconic performance. Sherga Sandeep, managing partner of SCube Films and daughter of producer PV Gangadharan, said the re-release would be a tribute to her father’s vision. She noted that the remastering, ideally done in Italy, would ensure the film meets modern soundscape standards.
Several other films are poised for a digital makeover and potential re-release, including **Devasuram**, **Aaraam Thampuran**, **Kaalapani**, **Valyettan**, **Kireedam**, and **Adwaitham**. However, Sibi cautioned that re-releasing films like **Kireedam**, originally shot in 35 mm and on mono tracks, would be a monumental task, potentially requiring redubbing for screening in contemporary cinemas.
As Devadoothan tests the waters, many producers await the audience’s reactions eagerly, hoping to gauge the viability of bringing more Malayalam classics back to the big screen.
