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Remembering M.T. Vasudevan Nair: Five Classic Films Of The Malayalam Cinema Legend—And Where To Watch Them
A doyen of Malayalam cinema and literature, M.T. Vasudevan Nair penned over 50 screenplays — winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times — throughout his illustrious career and directed films too
Literary icon M.T. Vasudevan Nair, considered one of the greatest storytellers of the country, passed away in Kozhikode, Kerala on Wednesday. He was 91.
A doyen of Malayalam cinema and literature, Nair penned over 50 screenplays—winning the National Film Award for Best Screenplay four times—throughout his illustrious career and directed eight films. Earlier this year, an anthology of films titled Manorathangal, adapted from his short stories, was released on streaming by his daughter Aswathy V Nair.
In 1995, Nair was awarded the highest literary award in India, Jnanpith, for his contribution to Malayalam literature — and India's third highest civilian honour, the Padma Bhushan, in 2005.
The Kerala government has declared a state of mourning on December 26 and 27 as a mark of respect to the legend. Several film stars and political leaders visited his house to pay their respects, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, actor Mohanlal and filmmaker Hariharan—among others.
Here’s a list of five films written or directed by the master from across genres that you can watch online:
Nirmalyam (1973)
Streaming on Disney+ Hotstar
The legend’s first film as director won the National Award For Best Feature Film. It also brought its lead actor PJ Anthony the Best Actor Award, the first for Malayalam cinema.
The intense drama spoke about the survival of the village oracle, the Velichappaadu, as he battles intense poverty with the meagre earnings he receives as part of his work at a dilapidated temple. His son, though educated, is unable to find a job during this crisis—another sign of the times in post-Independent India.
The film’s climax, touted as one of the most shocking in Indian cinema, is arguably impossible to pull off in a movie today.
Nakhakshathangal (1986)
Streaming on YouTube
This tender love story remains timeless for the way it preserves the innocence and softness of love from a bygone era. The conversations between Ramu (Vineeth) and Gowri (Monisha in her National Award-winning role) are moving and transportive as they find little pockets of time from their respective duties for their meet cute.
They are both slaves of obligation, tied down by the same people who’ve given them everything. But should one sacrifice love for the same people or is loyalty more valuable?
The slow-burn romance is just as special for the beautiful music of Bombay Ravi, with each song as special as the last.
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha (1989)
Streaming on YouTube
Imagine the power of a writer’s conviction to choose a popular folktale and then decide to rewrite the same tale by subverting all the notions one held about its lead character. That’s the magic of MT Vasudevan Nair in the way he rewrote this tale of valour set in North Kerala and its misunderstood hero, Chandu (Mammootty). Produced with a massive budget when it was released, the film brought home several national awards, especially for Mammootty.
Every dialogue of the film has since assumed cult status with the movie being hailed as a benchmark, even 35 years later.
Sadayam (1992)
Streaming on SunNXT
This devastating crime drama is generally regarded as one of Mohanlal’s finest performances. Directed by Sibi Malayil, Mohanlal plays Sathyanathan, a painter who is now on death row for having murdered four people. But, instead of feeling repulsed by this murderer, MT’s writing gets us to sympathise with Sathyanathan, pushing us into the darkest recesses of our minds that force us to accept that we too may have done what Sathyanathan does.
It’s a film so painful to experience that many have sworn to never revisit it again.
Vaishali (1988)
Streaming on YouTube
Arguably MT’s most stunning visual work was directed (and edited) by Bharathan. It is also the rare screenplay the master wrote basing it on one of the stories from the Mahabharata.
Right from the first shot—of a vulture feasting through the carcass of a bull—we’re drawn into a drought-stricken kingdom of Anga, which is on the verge of doom. The film remains a beautifully realised tale with picture-postcard perfection.
Special Mentions
Other must-watch titles include Thazhvaram (1990), Oru Cheri Punchiri (2000), Perumthachan (1990)