Piravi () is a 1989 Indian Malayalam-language drama film directed by Shaji N. Karun. It stars Premji, Archana and Lakshmi Krishnamurthy. The film is based on the life of professor T. V. Eachara Warrier, whose son, a student in Regional Engineering College, Calicut, was killed in police custody during the National Emergency Period of 1976. The film's music was composed by G. Aravindan and Mohan Sithara. Piravi received widespread critical acclaim upon release. The film was screened and very well received at many film festivals and won at least 31 awards, including the Caméra d'Or — Mention Spéciale at the 1989 Cannes Film Festival. It also won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film at the Indian National Film Awards in 1989.
Plot
Raghu is one of two children born to Raghava Chakyar (Premji) and his wife. Born many years years after his parents' marriage, Raghu is brought up with immense devotion and love until adulthood.
Now studying in an engineering college far from home, Raghu must return home for the engagement ceremony of his sister (Archana), but fails to turn up. His father Raghavan waits endlessly for his son to return. Raghavan takes daily trips to the local bus stop, waiting all day in the hope that Raghu will eventually come home. Soon the family comes to know through newspapers that Raghu has been taken into custody by the police for political reasons.
Raghavan sets out to try to find his son, and he eventually reaches police headquarters. However the police pretend not to know about Raghu or his whereabouts, and also deny that Raghu was ever taken into custody. Raghu's sister eventually comes to the realization that her brother has probably died as a result of police torture, but hasn't the heart to tell her father. Raghavan slowly begins to lose grip of reality and starts to dream of his family reuniting once more.
Cast
Premji as Professor Raghava Chakyar Archana as Chakyar's daughter M. Chandran Nair Mullanezhi Surendran V. K. Sreeraman K Gopalakrishnan Kottara Gopalakrishnan Nair Lakshmi Amma Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy Shantha Ramachandran Leela Rahul Laxman as Chakyar's son Ammini
Awards The film was nominated for or won the following awards:
1989 Cannes Film Festival (France) Won - Caméra d'Or - Mention d'honneur - Shaji N. Karun
1989 Edinburgh International Film Festival (UK) Won - Sir Charles Chaplin Award - Piravi - Shaji N. Karun
1989 Locarno International Film Festival (Switzerland) Won - Prize of the Ecumenical Jury - Special Mention - Shaji N. Karun Won - Silver Leopard - Shaji N. Karun Nominated - Golden Leopard - Shaji N. Karun
1989 National Film Awards (India) Won - Golden Lotus Award - National Film Award for Best Feature Film - Shaji N. Karun Won - Golden Lotus Award - Best Director - Shaji N. Karun Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Actor - Premji Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography - T. Krishnanunni
1989 Kerala State Film Awards (India) Won - Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor - Premji Won - Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film
1989 Filmfare Awards South Won - Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam -Premji Won - Filmfare Award for Best Director - Malayalam - Shaji N Karun
1989 Hawaii International Film Festival (United States) Won - Best Feature Film - Piravi - Shaji N. Karun
1989 Chicago International Film Festival (United States) Won - Silver Hugo - Piravi - Shaji N. Karun
1990 Bergamo Film Meeting (Italy) Won - Bronze Rosa Camuna - Shaji N. Karun
1990 Fribourg International Film Festival (Switzerland) Won - Distribution Help Award - Shaji N. Karun
1991 Fajr Film Festival (Iran) Won - Crystal Simorgh - International Competition: Superb Film - Piravi - Shaji N. Karun
References
External links www.lenseye.co/the-30-must-see-indian-films-selected-by-utpal-datta-film-critic/ 30 Must see Indian Films selected by Critic Utpal Datta
30 Must see Indian film selected by Critic Utpal Datta