MarylinBrantley at 22:48, 6 March 2026

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{{short description|1991 Malayalam musical-drama film directed by Sibi Malayil}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Bharatham
| image = Bharatham (film) cover.jpg
| caption = DVD cover
| director = [[Sibi Malayil]]
| producer = [[Mohanlal]]
| writer = [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
| starring = [[Mohanlal]] [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] [[Nedumudi Venu]] [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]
| music = [[Raveendran]] (Songs) [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] (Score)
| cinematography = [[Anandakuttan]]
| editing = [[L. Bhoominathan]]
| studio = [[Pranavam Arts]]
| distributor = Seven Arts Release
| released = {{Film date|1991|03|29|df=y}}
| runtime = 147 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
}}

'''''Bharatham''''' is a 1991 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[musical film|musical]] [[Drama (film and television)|drama]] film written by [[A. K. Lohithadas]] and directed by [[Sibi Malayil]]. It stars [[Mohanlal]], [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]], and [[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]]. The film was produced by Mohanlal through his production house [[Pranavam Arts]]. The film features original songs composed by [[Raveendran]] and a background score by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]]. ''Bharatham'' is interpreted as a modern-day adaptation of the [[Ramayana]] from [[Bharata (Ramayana)|Bharatha]]'s perspective. How, in the absence of his elder brother, Gopinathan takes the responsibility of the family and hides his griefs is the core of the story.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-01 |title=Five Mohanlal movies to watch before 'Drishyam 2' |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/five-mohanlal-movies-to-watch-before-drishyam-2-950079.html |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Deccan Herald]]}}</ref>

The film was a critical and commercial success, running for 125 days in theatres.<ref>{{cite web|title=An interview with Lohitadas, director of the Malayalam film, Bhoothakkannadi|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/aug/11lo1.htm|work=[[Rediff.com]]|access-date=24 January 2016|date=22 August 1997}}</ref> ''Bharatham'' is also noted for its music that is largely [[Carnatic music|Carnatic]] classical and semi-classical. The film won three [[National Film Awards]]—[[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Mohanlal,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=Mohanlal birthday special: Unforgettable performances that prove his legacy in Indian cinema |url=https://aninews.in/gallery/mohanlal-birthday-special-unforgettable-performances-that-prove-his-legacy-in-indian-cinema20250521124236/ |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[Asian News International|ANI]]}}</ref> [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] for [[K. J. Yesudas]] for the song ''[[Ramakadha]]'', and [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] for Raveendran's music, and five [[Kerala State Film Awards]]. On the centenary of Indian cinema in 2013, ''[[Forbes (India)|Forbes India]]'' included Mohanlal's performance in the film on its list of "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|title=25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema|magazine=[[Forbes (India)|Forbes]]|first1=Shishir|last1=Prasad|first2=N. S.|last2=Ramnath|first3=Sohini|last3=Mitter|date=27 April 2013|access-date=27 January 2015|archive-date=12 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112014841/http://forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/0|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was remade in Tamil as ''[[Seenu (2000 film)|Seenu]]'' by [[P. Vasu]] in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news |title=10 Mohanlal films to watch before you die |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/10-mohanlal-films-to-watch-before-you-die/photostory/52433968.cms |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://cinema.dinamalar.com/tamil-news/34110/cinema/Kollywood/Mohanlal-movies-and-their-remakes.htm|title=மோகன்லாலும், பின்னே தமிழ் ரீமேக்கும்...|date=2015-07-05|work=Dinamalar|access-date=2018-05-19}}</ref>

== Plot ==
{{More plot|date=July 2019}}
Kalloor Gopinathan alias Gopi is a member of a happy family with [[carnatic music]] heritage and he himself is a good singer. Kalloor Ramanathan who is also an excellent singer, is Gopi's elder brother, [[guru]] and role model. Ramanathan is married to Ramani and has a son Appu. Gopi is in love with Devi who is the sister of Ramani. Raman reigns in the family and in the society with his music. But he turns into [[alcoholism]]. Despite several attempts by family members to make him give up the habit and several failed assurances to his family members, he is unable to give up the habit.

Raman reaches for a concert in an inebriated state and Gopi is forced to take over. He is an instant hit with the masses. This has been depicted quite symbolically during the song ''Sree Vinayagam''. Gopi's music, which was hidden behind his brother's charisma now flows out in full strength. Taking this as an insult, Raman starts hating his brother and strives hard to recover from alcoholism. His morale is shattered when organizers of the ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana'' select his brother over him to perform. This makes Raman angry. So Gopi decides to stop singing. But on hearing this Raman understands his mistake and asks Gopi to sing at ''Tyagaraja Aaradhana''.

Ramanathan attends his brother's concert in a drunken state but is able to appreciate his brother's talent. In the middle of the concert, he enters the stage, removes his ancestral necklace and puts it on Gopi as a mark of continuation of his legacy. He then walks away into the horizon. With a longing to get rid of the alcoholism and perform a concert with his brother, he sets on a pilgrimage, but was never to return. Gopi, learning that Raman died in an accident, is forced to conceal the truth because of their vocally disabled sister's marriage. Gopi gets lot of moral support with Devi, who also knows the truth. Gopi's [[Psychological trauma|trauma]] reaches penultimate when his family learns of Raman's death and that Gopi was concealing it. Everything ends fine when the family understands his intentions. The movie ends while Gopi begins to train Appu in their musical legacy.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Mohanlal]] as Kalloor "Gopi" Gopinathan
**[[Biyon]] as Young Gopinathan
*[[Nedumudi Venu]] as Kalloor "Raman" Ramanathan
*[[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] as Devi
*[[Lakshmi (actress)|Lakshmi]] as Ramani, wife of Raman and sister of Devi
*[[Murali (Malayalam actor)|Murali]] as Harikumar
*[[Vineeth Kumar]] as Appu
*[[Suchitra Murali]] as Radha
*[[Kaviyoor Ponnamma]] as Devaki, mother of Raman, Gopi and Radha
*[[Oduvil Unnikrishnan]] as Unnimama, maternal uncle of Raman, Gopi and Radha and a [[Mridangam]] player
*[[K. P. A. C. Lalitha]] as Madhavi Unnimama's wife
*[[Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair]] as Grandfather
*[[Kunchan (actor)|Kunjan]] as Kuttan
*[[Bobby Kottarakkara]] as Kunjunni
*[[Lalu Alex]] as Vijayan
*[[M. S. Thripunithura]] as Janardhanan Nair
*[[Subair]]
*[[Paravoor Bharathan]]

{{colend}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox album|
| name = Bharatham
| type = [[Soundtrack]]
| artist = [[Raveendran]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = {{Start date|1991|03|29}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bharatham - Tharangni |url=https://yesudas.bandcamp.com/album/bharatham |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Bandcamp]]}}</ref>
| recorded = February 1991
| venue =
| studio = [[Tharangini Records|Tharangini]], [[Chennai]]
| genre = [[Film soundtrack]]
| length =
| label = Tharangini
| producer =
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
The [[film score]] was composed by [[Johnson (composer)|Johnson]] while the acclaimed songs were composed by [[Raveendran]] with lyrics were penned by [[Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri|Kaithapram]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Audio CD |url=https://www.amazon.in/BHARATHAM-OTHER-YESUDAS-HITS/dp/B01BDOUTMU |access-date=2020-10-28 |website=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]}}</ref> All the songs of this movie were instant hits.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! No. !! Title !! Singer(s) !! Raagam !! Notes
|-
| 1 || "Gopangane" || [[K. J. Yesudas]], [[K. S. Chithra]] || [[Nata (raga)|Naatta]]
(but also has traces of Raag [[Jog (raga)|Jog]])
|| Duet song picturised on [[Mohanlal]] and [[Urvashi]], Interludes of the song were taken from the Popular [[Thyagaraja]] [[Pancharatna Kriti]] "Jagadanandakaraka", set in the same raga.
|-
| 2 || "Raajamathangi" ("Dhwani Prasadham") || [[M. Balamuralikrishna]], K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra || Raagamaalika ([[Mayamalavagowla]], [[Todi (raga)|Thodi]], [[Arabhi]], [[Kanada (raga group)|Kanada]]) || Title song. Picturised on [[Nedumudi Venu]] and Mohanlal.
|-
| 3 || "Raghuvamshapathe" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Sankarabharanam (raga)|Sankarabharanam]] || Kacheri performance by Mohanlal.
|-
| 4 || "[[Ramakadha]]" || K. J. Yesudas || [[Shubhapantuvarali]] || Sentimental performance by Mohanlal.
|-
| 5 || "Sree Vinayakam" || K. J. Yesudas, [[Raveendran]] || [[Hamsadhvani]] || Kacheri performance by Mohanlal and Nedumudi Venu.
|-
| 6 || "Bharatham" || Kallara Gopan, Sangeetha || || Not picturised in film.
|-
| 7 || "Vasudevayani" || [[M. G. Sreekumar]] || || Not picturised in film.
|-
| 8 || "Dhwani Prasadam" || K. J. Yesudas || Mayamalavagowla || End credit song. Picturised on Mohanlal and Vineeth Kumar.
|}

==Release==
===Theatrical===
Bharatham was released on 29 March 1991 considering as a [[Vishu]] season release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=B. |first=Shibu |date=2020-04-13 |title=For Kerala's Tinseltown, it's a lost Vishu |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/Apr/13/for-keralas-tinseltown-its-a-lost-vishu-2129267.html |access-date=2025-08-04 |website=[[The New Indian Express]]}}</ref>

===Home media===
The [[Video CD|VCD]] and [[DVD-Video|DVD]] of the film was distributed by Saina Video Vision and [[Moser Baer]]. [[Asianet (TV channel)|Asianet]] bagged the television rights and the digital streaming rights were shared by [[JioHotstar]], streaming in their platform, and Millennium Cinemas, streaming on their [[YouTube]] channel.

== Awards ==
;[[39th National Film Awards|National Film Awards]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - [[Mohanlal]]
* [[National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - [[K. J. Yesudas]] for ''[[Ramakadha|Ramakadha Gaanalayam]]''
* [[National Film Award – Special Mention (Feature Film)|Special Mention]] - [[Raveendran]]

;[[Kerala State Film Awards]]
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film|Second Best Film]] - Mohanlal (as producer)
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] - [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]
* [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - Raveendran
* [[Kerala State Film Award (Special Jury Award)|Special Jury Award]] - [[Nedumudi Venu]]

;[[Filmfare Awards South]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam|Best Director (Malayalam)]] - [[Siby Malayil]]
* [[Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Malayalam|Best Music Director (Malayalam)]] - Raveendran

;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref name="Awards List">{{Cite web |date=2020-10-17 |title=Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012 |url=https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/film-critics-awards-complete-list-from.html |website=Kerala Film Critics Association}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNFn79LrCqY&t=102s |title=15th Film Critics Award - 1991|date=6 January 2020 |via=[[YouTube]] }}</ref>
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film|Best Film]] - Sibi Malayil (as director)
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Director]] - Sibi Malayil
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] - Mohanlal
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] - [[A. K. Lohithadas]]
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematographer|Best Cinematographer]] - [[Anandakuttan]]
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Music Director|Best Music Director]] - Raveendran
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Male Playback Singer|Best Male Playback Singer]] - K. J. Yesudas

==References==
<references/>

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0237038|Bharatham}}

{{Mohanlal}}
{{Sibi Malayil}}
{{A. K. Lohithadas}}
{{Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Film}}

[[Category:1991 Indian films]]
[[Category:1990s musical drama films]]
[[Category:1991 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Raveendran]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor National Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Pranavam Arts International films]]
[[Category:Films directed by Sibi Malayil]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by A. K. Lohithadas]]
[[Category:Indian musical drama films]]
[[Category:Films about classical music and musicians]]
[[Category:1991 drama films]]
[[Category:1991 musical films]]

Bharatham - Revision history

MarylinBrantley at 22:48, 6 March 2026