Arappatta Kettiya Graamathil

One thing about the 80s is that directors were not afraid to experiment with different types of stories, even if it ended up being a success or not. National recognition would be good enough even if it didn't translate into s commercial success. Today's legends of malyalam cinema were just starting off so they didn't have to worry about their star image either. This kind of movie would be unthinkable in today's time and even if it was released it would be considered an art film. Sukumari was in a non typical role as a brothel madam and did well in it. Mammotty unlike today, did not have lion share of the on screen time; it was equally shared by all the supporting actors. Basically a one dimensional book story surrounding a brothel and rescue of a girl from forced prostitution, stretched to 1 hr 45 minutes of movie time. Fight scenes were awkward like two drunks trying to wrestle with each other. The end was anti climatic. Though the movie won a few state awards it did not do well commercially as it did not have a mass appeal to it.