Manjurukum Kalam
Indian Malayalam-language soap opera
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Manjurukum Kaalam was an Indian Malayalam-language soap opera directed by Binu Vellathooval and produced by Suresh Unnithan.[3][4] The show aired from 16 February 2015 to 24 March 2017 on Mazhavil Manorama, spanning 571 episodes.[5][6] It is an adaptation of the novel with the same name by Joycee.[7]
| Manjurukum Kalam | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Soap opera |
| Based on | Manjurukum Kaalam by Joycee |
| Directed by |
|
| Starring | |
| Theme music composer | Sanand George |
| Opening theme | "Aarum Kaanathe Aromalkili Paadunnu"[2] |
| Composer | Sanand George |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Malayalam |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 571 |
| Production | |
| Producer | Suresh Unnithan |
| Cinematography | Harilal |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Running time | 20-22 minutes |
| Production company | Sree Movies |
| Original release | |
| Network | Mazhavil Manorama |
| Release | 16 February 2015 – 24 March 2017 |
The narrative followed the life of a young girl, Janaki who navigates a life of extreme hardship, domestic abuse, and complex family dynamics from childhood to adulthood.[8] The show featured Keziah Thomas, Niranjana G, Greeshma, Vedika Rajesh, Nikitha Rajesh and Monisha Arshak who portrayed the protagonist at different stages of her life. The supporting cast included Manoj Nair, Lavanya Nair, Manju Satheesh, Roslin and Kishore Peethambbaran.
Plot
The story centers on Janaki, affectionately known as Janikutty, whose life is a journey from a cherished childhood to a series of grueling hardships. Initially raised as the beloved adopted daughter of Tahsildar Vijayaraghavan and Ratnamma Teacher, her world is turned upside down when the couple finally conceives biological children. No longer the center of their world, Janikutty is treated as a domestic servant and subjected to systematic abuse by Ratnamma. She remains a brilliant and resilient student despite the trauma she endures at home. During her teenage years, Janikutty have a budding romance with Abhijith, the brother of her close friend. However, Ratnamma Teacher sabotages a formal marriage proposal from Abhijith’s family and also forces Janikutty to terminate her education after her higher secondary studies. Abhijith to move to Dubai for work while Janikutty eventually returns to her biological father, Govindankutty. She moves into his home, where she meets his second wife, Vijayamma, and her half-siblings. While Janikutty attempts to bond with her new family, she is subjected to extreme cruelty by Vijayamma’s sister, Chandramathi. Following Govindankutty’s sudden death from a heart attack—Janikutty is left vulnerable. Chandramathi and her husband hire thugs to murder her. Janikutty narrowly escapes the attempt on her life but is left severely injured and hospitalized. While recovering in the hospital, Janikutty meets Shobhana Teacher, a childhood friend of her biological mother. She reveals that Janikutty is actually the heiress to the noble Krishnamangalam family. Her mother had been disowned by the wealthy family years prior for marrying Govindankutty, who belonged to a lower social caste. Having reclaimed her identity and status, she visits a now-remorseful Ratnamma Teacher to offer her grace, maintaining the bond of a daughter despite the years of mistreatment. She finally reunites with Abhijith.
Cast
Main
- Monisha Arshak as V.R Janaki (Janikutty)[9]
- Nikitha Rajesh as Teenage Janikutty[10]
Keziah Thomas,[11] Niranjana G,[12] Greeshma,[13] and Vedika Rajesh[14] portrayed different stages of Janaki's childhood.
Recurring
- Lavanya Nair[15]/ Manju Satheesh[16] as Rathnamma, Janaki's foster mother
- Manoj Nair as Vijayaraghavan, Janaki's foster father[17]
- Kishore Peethambaran as Govindankutty, Janaki's biological father[18]
- Roslin
- Anish Rehman as Abhijith, Janaki's husband[19]
- Vineeth as young Abhijith
- Lekshmi Prasad as Sariga, Abhijith's sister and Janaki's friend
- Swathi as young Sariga
- Sreedevi Anil as Vijayamma, Govindankutty’s second wife
- Alice Christy as Sooryamol, daughter of Vijayaraghavan and Rathnamma[20]
- Manoj Pillai as Murali Krishna Panikkar[21]
- M. R. Gopakumar as Balakrishna Panikkar
- Yadu Krishnan as Madhusoodana Panikkar[22]
- Sumi Santhosh as Preetha, Rathnamma's sister-in-law
- Rudra Pradap as Chandran, Preetha's husband[23]
- Avanthika as Neethu, elder daughter of Chandran and Preetha
- Malavika / Arathi Sojan as Ramya, second daughter of Chandran and Preetha[24]
- Sreekala Sasidharan as Sarasamma, Rathnamma's mother[25]
- Pratheeksha G. Pradeep as Sunitha, Rathnamma's sister
- Ardra Das as Ambili, elder daughter of Govindankutty and Vijayamma[26]
- Anjusha as Arunima, second daughter of Govindankutty and Vijayamma
- Vaishanvi Satheesh as teenage Arunima
- Ramesh Nair as Ravi, Sariga's husband
- Saharsh Augustin as Manikuttan[27]
- Joly as Chandramathi, Vijayamma's sister
- Balan Parakkal as Surendran, Chandramathi's husband
- Sujith Kozhikodu as Sukeshan, Chandramathi's son[28]
- Parvathy as Suguna, Chandramathi's daughter
- Satheesh Vettikavala as Suguna’s husband
- Karthika Kannan as Lekshmi
- Pappan Ananthapuri as Purushothaman, Govindankutty's friend
- Safar as Sudharan, Govindankutty's neighbor
- Biju Thottumkal as Minister Janaki’s PA
- Adhil Siddiq / Madhav / Harun[29] as Appunni
- Aadil as Renjith, Janikutty's classmate
- Manas/ Aaromal as Ajayan
Production
Different stages of the protagonist's life spanning from childhood to adulthood was played by six actors.[30] Nikitha Rajesh who played Janaki left the show to focus on her board examinations and was replaced by Monisha Arshak.[31] Lavanya Nair who played Rathnamma was replaced by Manju Satheesh due to the former's pregnancy.[32]