| File:April 19 (1996 film) poster.jpg
| |
| Directed by | Balachandra Menon |
|---|---|
| Written by | Balachandra Menon |
| Produced by | Mohan Vettathu |
| Starring | Balachandra Menon Nandini Jagathy Sreekumar Shanthi Krishna |
| Cinematography | Anandakkuttan |
| Edited by | G. Murali |
| Music by | Raveendran
|
| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam
|
_poster.jpg){kind=link}
April 19 is a 1996 Indian Malayalam-language drama film written and directed by Balachandra Menon.[1] The film stars Balachandra Menon and Nandini in lead roles, with supporting performances by Jagathy Sreekumar and Shanthi Krishna. The music was composed by Raveendran.
Plot
Jayaprakash, a man from a modest background, begins his career as a taxi driver and gradually rises through determination and hard work to build a successful business empire in Mumbai.[2] During this journey, he rescues a woman from a dangerous situation and later marries her. However, as his professional commitments grow, he finds himself increasingly unable to devote time to his personal life, leading to strain in his relationship. The film explores themes of ambition, success, and the impact of career-driven choices on personal relationships.
Cast
Production
The film marked the acting debut of Kausalya, who was credited as Nandini, in Malayalam cinema.[3][4]
Soundtrack
The music for the film was composed by Raveendran, with lyrics by S. Ramesan Nair.[5]
| No. | Song | Singer(s) | Music | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Sharapoli Mala Charthi" | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki | Raveendran | S. Ramesan Nair |
| 2 | "Arivinumarulinum" | Raveendran, Roshni Mohan | Raveendran | S. Ramesan Nair |
| 3 | "Devike Nin Meyyil" | K. J. Yesudas | Raveendran | S. Ramesan Nair |
| 4 | "Mazha Peythal" | K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki | Raveendran | S. Ramesan Nair |
| 5 | "Mazha Peythal" | K. J. Yesudas | Raveendran | S. Ramesan Nair |
Marketing
The characters used in the film's video cover are from different films but use the same actors: the image of Balachandra Menon is from Sathyameva Jayathe and that of Nandini is from Karumadikkuttan. Menon felt that such practices are disrespectful both to the film itself and the audience that sees itself.[6]
Legacy
In 2007, the screenplays of Balachandra Menon's films April 18 and April 19 were published together in a book titled Randu Thirakkathakal, released by Malayalam poet and lyricist Sreekumaran Thampi.[7] The publication is listed among Menon's literary works in a feature on Malayala Manorama.[8]
Menon has described the two films as thematically contrasting works, with April 18 focusing on youthful aspirations and forward-looking expectations, and April 19 presenting a more reflective narrative centred on the consequences of life choices. In his book, Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam he documents about working with three generations of Jagathy Sreekumar's family in his book Ithiri Neram Othiri Karyam as he had worked with his father Jagathy N. K. Achary in Najangalude Kochu Doctor. In this film, he had worked both with Jagathy and his son Rajkumar.[9]
References
- ↑ April 19 (1996). MalayalaChalachithram.com.
- ↑ April 19. Rotten Tomatoes.
- ↑ Quick five: Back in the limelight. The Hindu(5 February 2015). Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ 'ആ ക്രിക്കറ്റർക്ക് അത് ബുദ്ധിമുട്ടായി'! റിലേഷൻഷിപ് ബ്രേക്കപ്പ് ആയി, ശരീരഭാരം കൂടി, ഞാൻ കല്യാണത്തിന് പറ്റിയ ആളല്ല; നന്ദിനി പറയുന്നു!(7 September 2023). Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ April 19 songs. Malayalasangeetham.info.
- ↑ മണിയൻപിള്ളരാജുവിനെ അറിയാം മണിയൻപിള്ളയെ അറിയുമോ: ബാലചന്ദ്രമേനോൻ(19 April 2016). Retrieved 4 May 2026.
- ↑ Randu Thirakkathakal April Pathinettu April 19. Kerala Book Store.
- ↑ Balachandra Menon books. Malayala Manorama.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
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