Malayalam cinema’s most celebrated filmmaker’s first film earned 15 times its Rs 7 lakh budget; romantic drama marked debut of Mohanlal

Born in Alappuzha, Fazil’s father wanted him to become a doctor, but the youngster had his heart set on something else. In a 2005 interview with The Hindu, he revealed that he wrote plays in school and college and enacted them with friends. He was also part of a group that was probably the first mimicry team in Kerala, and this helped him catch the attention of film professionals. He soon landed at Navodaya Studio and penned the script for the Prem Nazir and Madhu-starrer Theekkadal. Directed by Appachan of Navodaya Studio, the film became a success, which eventually helped him kick-start his debut film. He wished to make it on a small budget with new faces, and Appachan himself came on board as producer. With the help of the producer’s son, Jijo Punnoose, Fazil began hunting for actors for his debut directorial venture, Manjil Virinja Pookkal.

During the audition process, a young man came in to perform. A panel of four judged him, and two of them gave him 5 and 7 out of 100 marks. However, Fazil gave him 90 and Jijo 95, and ultimately casted him as the film’s antagonist. Do we really need to mention that actor’s name? For the uninitiated few, that young man was none other than Mohanlal! Intriguingly, one of the two who gave the actor the lowest marks was Sibi Malayil, then an assistant director, who later collaborated with Mohanlal several times and gave Malayalam cinema some of its most memorable movies.

According to Manorama Online, Manjil Virinja Pookkal was produced on a budget of Rs 7 lakh and ended up collecting Rs 1 crore, making it a massive blockbuster. Starring Shankar and Poornima Jayaram in the lead roles, the movie garnered several Kerala State Film Awards, catapulting Fazil to immediate stardom. The film also marked the birth of Mohanlal’s career, who soon began receiving opportunities one after the other.

Fazil’s most significant contribution to Indian cinema, after Mohanlal, was undoubtedly Manichitrathazhu. (Credit: Facebook/@directorfazil)

Although Fazil’s subsequent movies, such as Dhanya and Marakkillorikkalum, failed to impress the audience, he made a massive comeback with Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku, introducing a fresh talent to Malayalam cinema: a child artiste named Shalini. The following year, he once again hit it out of the park with the tragic drama Nokkethadhoorathu Kannum Nattu, which became a critical and commercial success. He later remade the movie in Tamil as Poove Poochooda Vaa, which also became a massive success. Fazil proved yet again that he did not need stars for his films to succeed, but simply actors who were perfect for their roles.

Despite his next venture, Ennennum Kannettante, failing in Malayalam, he got the chance to remake it in Tamil later as Varusham 16, marking the debut of Khushbu Sundar in a lead role. Fazil cured the pain caused by Ennennum Kannettante’s failure by delivering the blockbuster Mammootty-starrer Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal. This film was eventually remade in six languages, including Tamil (Poovizhi Vasalile) and Telugu (Pasivadi Pranam), featuring Sathyaraj and Chiranjeevi, respectively. From Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal and Ente Sooryaputhrikku/Karpoora Mullai to Pappayude Swantham Appoos and Kilipetchu Ketkavaa, Fazil scored a home run every time he was at the helm.

His most significant contribution to Indian cinema, after Mohanlal, was undoubtedly Manichitrathazhu, widely regarded as one of the greatest and finest movies the country has ever produced. Besides earning the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and the National Film Award for Best Actress (Shobana), Manichitrathazhu also became one of the biggest hits in Malayalam cinema history, running in many theatres for over 300 days. The film, which also starred Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, was remade in several languages, including Tamil (Chandramukhi) with Rajinikanth and Hindi (Bhool Bhulaiyaa) with Akshay Kumar. The remakes became such big successes that they all eventually received sequels and became separate franchises.

Fazil didn’t stop there and continued his successful journey. He once again showcased his ability to deliver hits with newcomers, as his Aniyathipraavu became a blockbuster. Here, he introduced two more actors to Malayalam cinema: Kunchacko Boban and Shalini (whom he previously introduced as a child artiste in Ente Mamattikkuttiyammakku). Fazil later remade the movie in Tamil as Kadhalukku Mariyadhai, featuring up-and-coming actor Vijay as the male lead and Shalini reprising her role from the original film. That movie played a key role in establishing Vijay as a star.

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In 1998, Fazil joined forces with superstars Mohanlal and Mammootty, marking their collaboration in a film after a long time. The mystery buddy comedy Harikrishnans also marked the Malayalam debut of Bollywood star Juhi Chawla. The movie went on to become a massive blockbuster, adding yet another feather to Fazil’s cap. Although his next venture, Kannukkul Nilavu, reunited Vijay and Shalini, the Tamil film did not perform that well. He then helmed a simple family drama titled Life Is Beautiful, partly inspired by Dead Poets Society (1989). Starring Mohanlal and Samyuktha Varma in the lead roles, the film also marked the debut of Geetu Mohandas as a lead actress.

Although he successfully introduced several talents to Malayalam cinema over the years, he couldn’t replicate the magic when he tried to launch his son, Fahadh Faasil. Kaiyethum Doorath, featuring Fahadh (introduced as Shaanu in the film) and Nikita Thukral, bombed at the box office. The male lead’s performance was most criticised. Consequently, Fahadh distanced himself from the film industry and did not reappear for years; the rest is well-documented history.

Kaiyethum Doorath also marked the filmmaker’s downfall. None of his subsequent movies, such as Vismayathumbathu, Oru Naal Oru Kanavu, Moz & Cat, or Living Together, performed well. He has not helmed a movie since Living Together in 2011. Regardless, he continues to be celebrated as one of Malayalam cinema’s finest.