Indian cinema is famous for films based on the core theme of patriotism and the struggle for independence.
Some of them glorify the various battles fought in the name of our motherland, which elevates the characters of freedom fighters to the status of superheroes without explaining the core motives or perspective of such unrealistic humans.
However, there are some films that portray the battle for independence where freedom fighters fought without arms or ammunitions against ruthless foreign rulers. The 1996 Malayalam film Kaalapani is one of them.
On the 25th anniversary of this unforgettable masterpiece, let’s revisit how Kaalapani is different from other films that depicted the struggle for freedom and independence for Indians!
Kaalapani, directed by Priyadarshan and produced by Mohanlal, was originally made in Malayalam, and later dubbed and released in Hindi as Saza-E-Kala Pani, in Tamil as Siraichalai, and in Telugu as Kaala Pani.
Set in 1915, Kaalapani focuses on the lives of Indian freedom fighters.
They are serving a prison sentence in the Cellular Jail in Andaman and Nicobar Islands during the British Raj.
The story of Kaalapani is about a young doctor, Govardhan (Mohanlal) who is accused of bombing a train carrying 55 people including British officials.
As a result, he is jailed at Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands by the British.
Parvathy (Tabu), Govardhan’s wife suffers a mental trauma upon hearing the news, but remains patient and awaits his return from prison.
During his time in Jail, Govardhan befriends Mukundan Iyengar (Prabhu Ganesan), a Tamilian revolutionary. He is serving his sentence for committing terrorist activities in Calcutta.
The cellular jail is under the supervision of David Berry (Alex Draper), a sadistic jailor of Irish descent.
Berry gets assistance from the ill-willed jailer Warden Mirza Khan (Amrish Puri), a Pathan who served the Afghan Army. He is responsible for brutally beating the prisoners till and killing them.
The jail also has a kind hearted English doctor, Len Hutton (John Kolvenbach) and Veer Savarkar (Annu Kapoor) who tries to maintain the spirit of the prisoners going through a torture wreck.
Kaalapani revolves around the brutality faced by innocent freedom fighters who committed theirs lives for their land. It is a story about their strength, courage, brotherhood and patriotism.
It was able to portray the harsh reality of the British rule and their atrocities in visuals that are perhaps too graphic and triggering for today’s viewers.
Kaalapani depicts that anguish, helplessness and the never-ending desire to attain freedom and independence for one’s country with near perfection.
And it’s undoubtedly ahead of its time.
Fun Fact: The film introduced Dolby Stereo to Malayalam cinema.
Writer/Director: Priyadarshan
Cast: Mohanlal, Prabhu Ganesan, Amrish Puri, Tabu, Nedumudi Venu, Sreenivasan, Tinnu Anand, Annu Kapoor, Alex Draper, Sankaradi, and Vineeth
Runtime: 178 minutes
NOTE: THE VIEWS AND OPINION EXPRESSED IN THIS ARTICLE ARE THOSE OF THE AUTHOR.
Edited by Nidhi Sahani
