Randu Penkuttikal

Randu Penkuttikal is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Mohan from a screenplay by Surasu, which is partially based on the novel of the same name by V. T. Nandakumar.^[1] It is one of the earliest films in Malayalam to explore themes of lesbianism in a nuanced manner.Director and Film producer P.Stanley (Varadakshina/ Mochanam/Thoovanathumbikal) first acquired the rights to the story after reading the novel but was discouraged from making it into a film by a close friend. He then resold the rights to Mohan after the latter requested it (Stanley’s health issues were also a contributing factor to giving up of the story).In a later interview, director Mohan said that he never read the novel completely, before or after the making of this film. He adapted the title as well as the lead characters but asked Surasu to weave a script based on those characters and not necessarily based on the novel. However, V. T. Nandakumar is given credit for the story.^[2]