Kamal Haasan picks his 70 favourite Indian films; Eight Malayalam movies in the list

Kamal Haasan is widely regarded as an encyclopedia of cinema due to his mastery and knowledge in almost all departments of filmmaking. He is rightly called as the ‘Sakalakala Vallavan’ of cinema. A winner of multiple national awards and numerous accolades, Kamal Haasan is a rare breed who has continuously strived hard to deliver quality films.

Recently, Kamal Haasan picked his 70 favourite Indian films for Hindustan Times on the ocassion of the country’s 70th independence week. The movies were from different Indian languages that were released after 1947.

Among the 70 films, seven Malayalam movies found its way to the list. Chemeen, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Nirmalyam, Swapnadanam, Kodiyettam, Ee Naadu, Naamukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal and Thaniyavarathanam are the seven Malayalam movies in Kamal’s favourite films list. Along with each film, he has also written a short description.

Chemmeen :

Chemmeen ceased to be a Malayalam film, it became the pride of south India, a national film. It’s a grown-up love story. The music by Salil Chowdhury, the editing by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, the direction by Ramu Kariat…today it looks like a simple film. But it’s stunning

Anubhavangal Paalichakal :

It was set in a jail. It had an astounding story with two of Malayalam cinema’s top stars. It was so suspenseful, so intriguing in the way it explored the human mind.

Nirmalyam :

What a film! I saw it twice on two successive days. I don’t think Malayalam cinema will dare to make a film like that again. The film revolved around a neglected temple and the people dependent on it.

Swapnadanam :

I am a fan of the film! It can be described as a marital psychodrama.

Kodiyettam :
Adoor has made so many beautiful films but the simplicity of Kodiyettam is unsurpassed.

Ee Nadu :

It’s brilliant for its multi-level narrative. T Damodaran was a schoolteacher-turned screenplay writer. One of the best films made by IV Sasi.

Naamukku Parkkan Munthiri Thoppukal :

I was green with jealousy when I watched this film, it was so simple but so good. It is a romance drama.

Thaniyavarthanam :

This is a film about mental health and how the responsibility lies in everyone’s hands. It doesn’t talk directly about superstition, but in the end makes you very angry. My friend Mammootty did a brilliant job in the film.

Kamal Haasan has particularly mentioned that the films he has picked are his favourites from the ones he has seen. He clarifies that he has not seen every film and he has only included films that changed his life, as a man, as an actor.