''Asthamayam'' is a 1978 Indian

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of 2 ...

-language film, directed by P. Chandrakumar and produced by Madhu. The film stars Madhu,

Jayan Krishnan Nair (25 July 1939 – 16 November 1980), better known by his stage name Jayan, was an Indian actor, naval officer, stunt performer and cultural icon of the 1970s and 1980s. He starred in over 150 Malayalam films. During his film care ...

, Sharada and

Jayabharathi Jayabharathi is an Indian actress. She is a two-time recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for best actress. Jayabharathi's first leading role was given by director P. Bhaskaran for his movie Kattukurangu in 1969. Later she became one of ...

. The film has musical score by

Shyam Shyam is a name of Krishna and an Indian masculine given name and surname. Notable people with this name include: ;Shyam *Shyam (actor), Indian Hindi film actor *Shyam (composer), an Indian music composer from Kerala * Shyam Benegal, Indian film di ...

Plot

Balakrishnan and Venu were classmates and close friends at the medical college. Venu is athletic and outgoing while Balan focused on academics. Balakrishnan becomes a busy doctor practicing in the city while Venu joins the military. Venu sends his uncle, Kuruppu, accompanied by daughter Shanthi for treatment to Balakrishnan who accommodates them at home waiting for the results of medical examination. Shanti develops feelings towards Balakrishnan. Kuruppu is diagnosed with stomach tumour requiring surgical removal.Kuruppu and Shanthi leaves after successful treatment. Later, Kuruppu seeks an alliance of marriage between Shanthi and Balakrishnan through the latter's brother. Balakrishnan agrees to wedding on his brother's insistence. Years later, Balakrishnan and Shanti are leading a happy married life with a 3 year old daughter named Prabha. An old lover, Prabha, visits Doctor Balakrishnan in a weakened state. She is teapped in an unhappy marriage. Balan admits her for treatment. This brings back old memories. Prabha was a dancer in the college with so many suitors. Balan gets into a spat with one of other students, Chandran, over Prabha. Venu beats up Chandran and gets dismissed from college. The couple plans to visit Kanyakumari to enjoy the sunset. But Prabha's father coerced her to marry Persian based businessman Menon. In Persia, Prabha struggles to adjust with Menon's social life. Menon unsatisfied with Prabha pursues other women openly. Prabha falls ill and no doctor is able to diagnose and she is sent back to India. Prabha's condition deteriorate and she expresses her wish to visit Kanyakumari. Balakrishnan agrees to take her as this could be her last wish. After viewing the sunset together, Prabha dies that night. But her spirit visits Balans family.

Cast

* Madhu as Doctor Balakrishnan MBBS, FRCS (London) * Sharada as Shanthi *

as Prabha Menon *

as Venu. *

Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair (16 October 191611 March 1997) was an Indian poet, playwright, script writer, lyricist, orator, film director and actor, though he is best known as an actor in Malayalam cinema. He is the recipient of Padma Shri fr ...

as Kuruppu *

Jose Prakash Jose Prakash (14 April 1925 – 24 March 2012) was an Indian actor and singer who worked in Malayalam cinema. He was a singer turned actor who had appeared in more than 300 films mostly in antagonist roles. He was awarded with the J. C. Daniel ...

as Venu's brother * T. P. Madhavan as Mr. Menon * Sankaradi as Swami *

Bahadoor Padiyath Kochumoideen Kunjalu (1930 22 May 2000), known by his stage name Bahadoor, was an Indian actor and comedian who, along with Adoor Bhasi, redefined the way in which comedy and funny scenes were perceived in the Malayalam cinema. They ...

as Attender Kuttan Pillai *

Mala Aravindan Mala Aravindan (15 January 1939 – 28 January 2015) was an Indian actor. He was best known for his work as a comedian and character artist in Malayalam films. He has acted in over 500 films. Early life He was born in Vadavucode, Ernakulam d ...

as Attender Guharajan * Kunchan as Sundaran *

Poojappura Ravi Raveendran Nair, known by his stage name Poojappura Ravi is an Indian actor, primarily concentrating in Malayalam films doing comedy roles. He was a stage actor and was a part of ''Kalanilyam Drama Vision'', the famous drama institution. He st ...

* Sukumari as Alamelu

Soundtrack

The music was composed by

and the lyrics were written by

Sreekumaran Thampi Sreekumaran Thampi (born 16 March 1940) is an Indian lyricist, music director, director, producer, and screenwriter in Malayalam cinema. He also writes poetry and is a recipient of the Vallathol Award. In 2017, he was awarded the J. C. Daniel ...

and

Sathyan Anthikkad Sathyan Anthikad is an Indian film director, screenwriter, and lyricist who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema. In a career spanning five decades he has directed more than 50 films, been the lyricist for 12 films and been the scriptwriter f ...

References

External links

* 1978 films 1970s Malayalam-language films 1970s Indian films Films directed by P. Chandrakumar {{1970s-Malayalam-film-stub