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Rathinirvedam
DVD cover
Directed by	Bharathan
Written by	P. Padmarajan
Based on	Rathinirvedam by P. Padmarajan
Produced by	Hari Pothan
Starring	Jayabharathi Krishnachandran Kaviyoor Ponnamma
Cinematography	Ramachandra Babu
Edited by	K. Narayanan
Music by	Devarajan
Production company	Supriya Creations
Release date	8 March 1978 (1978-03-08)
Running time	124 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam

Rathinirvedam (transl. Adolescent desire) is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language erotic drama film directed by Bharathan and written by P. Padmarajan based on his own novel of the same name. In the film, Pappu, a teenager, is awaiting his pre-degree results to join an engineering course. He gets attracted to his neighbour Rathi, who is a middle-aged woman, and falls hopelessly in love.

The story-line of the film miffed many for its sensitive portrayal of the lead as well as garnered appreciation for its narrative. It is said to have redefined the art of filmmaking in the country, and hence regarded as a landmark in Indian film history. The film was also one of the biggest box office hits in Kerala state's history. It inspires similar productions all over the nation, even decades after its release.

Cast

• Jayabharathi as Rathi
• Krishnachandran as Pappu
• Kaviyoor Ponnamma as Saraswathi
• K.P.A.C. Lalitha as Bharathi
• Meena as Narayaniyamma
• Soman as Krishnan Nair
• Adoor Bhasi
• Master Manohar
• Baby Sumathi as Shanthi
• Bahadoor as Kochammani
• T. R. Omana

Production

The film was produced by Hari Pothan under the banner of Supriya Films. It was mostly shot in Nelliampathi, Palakkad, Kerala. Director Bharathan had proposed to actress K.P.A.C. Lalitha after the shooting of this film. They remained together till the death of the former.

Soundtrack

The music was composed by G. Devarajan and the lyrics were written by Kavalam Narayana Panicker.

Legacy and criticism

Rathinirvedam is regarded as a landmark in Indian film history. It inspires similar productions all over South India, even decades after its release.

Remake

A remake of the film was made in 2011. It was directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar. Shwetha Menon played the female lead, and Sreejith played the young male lead. Padmarajan himself was credited as the writer.

Awards

• Filmfare Award for Best Film - Malayalam won by Hari Pothan (1978)

References

1. "Nilolsavam to be staged on Thursday". The Peninsula. Archived from the original on 9 August 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
2. Saraswathy Nagarajan (16 June 2011). "When Pappu met Rathi…". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 17 June 2011. Retrieved 17 June 2011.
3. ^ "Emotional reunion". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 17 June 2011. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2010.
4. "Show evokes the everlasting appeal of Devarajan's songs". The Hindu. 28 September 2008.
5. "Rathinirvedam". Rathinirvedam.com. Archived from the original on 22 February 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
6. "Can Rathinirvedam remake recreate waves?". Deccan Chronicle. Kochi, India. 16 June 2011. Archived from the original on 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
7. K. N., Shajikumar (5 April 2010). ""മനസ്സിന്റെ കാണാപ്പുറങ്ങള്‍"". Janayugam. Archived from the original on 9 July 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2011.
8. "An unusual love story". The Indian Express. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
9. "Rathinirvedam to be remade". Bombaynews. Archived from the original on 21 February 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2010.
10. "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 2 December 1980 – via Google Books.

External links

• Rathi Nirvedam at IMDb

• 1978 films
• 1970s Malayalam-language films
• 1970s Indian films
• 1970s coming-of-age drama films
• 1970s erotic drama films
• Films based on Indian novels
• Films directed by Bharathan
• Indian coming-of-age drama films
• Indian erotic drama films
• Films with screenplays by Padmarajan
• 1978 drama films
• Films about juvenile sexuality
• Films about sex crimes