Classic Pick – Why Mohanlal and Bhadran’s Spadikam remains one of the best mass action films ever made in Malayalam?

Spadikam, the 1995-released mass action drama that featured Mohanlal in the lead role, is set to complete the 29th year of its release in 2024. Even after all these years, the iconic character Aadu Thoma and his Rayban glasses still remain close to the hearts of Malayalam cinema audiences. The Bhadran directorial narrated the journey of Thomas Chacko from a gifted student to a dreaded gangster, and his strained relationship with his narcissistic father, CP Chacko.

Even after nearly three decades, it is hard to find another perfectly made mass action film that has a strong emotional core like Spadikam, in Malayalam. This Mohanlal starrer remains one of the all-time favourite action dramas for a major section of Malayalam cinema lovers and the fans of the superstar. The grand release of the film which happened in 2023, underlined the same.

Now, let’s revisit Spadikam, and find out why the Bhadran directorial is still considered the best of its genre, in Malayalam cinema...

Mohanlal as Aadu Thoma

Well, isn’t the name more than enough? While growing up, Aadu Thoma was the definition of machismo for me. But now, while looking back at Spadikam, Thoma comes across as a flawed protagonist who bears the brunt of a highly abusive childhood. The supremely talented Thomas Chacko’s potential was destroyed by his father, the National award-winning teacher C.P. Chacko aka ‘Kaduva’ who wanted his son to become a mathematician like him. Thoma, who failed to meet his father’s standards despite trying all his childhood, eventually ends up as a ruffian.

It is impossible to forget the scenes in which Aadu Thoma hides his tears behind his iconic Rayban glasses. Thoma's strong emotional core made him much more than a mass hero. It made him humane and even relatable. Thoma is not perfect in any way. The extremely misogynistic and sexist tropes that were considered ‘heroic’ at that time now remind us that Spadikam did not age well as a film, at least partially. However, the character and film inspired quite a lot of Malayalam action movies that were released later and are considered iconic in every way.

Also Read: Classic Pick – Why Siddique-Lal's Godfather aged like a fine wine and still remains one of the most revisited comedies? 

Thilakan’s ‘Kaduva’ Chacko

Even for the audience who have been constantly justifying all the toxic parenting tropes cinema has been feeding us since its beginning, Thilakan’s Kaduva Chacko is beyond redemption. The retired school headmaster who won the President Of India’s medal for the Best Teacher is one of the finest characters played by the legend. He was the classic example of a terrible father – an extremely abusive man who despises his son for not living up to his expectations. However, he eventually regrets his actions and realises that his actions made Thoma who he is. It is an absolute delight to watch the combination scenes between Thilakan and Mohanlal, and the impeccable camaraderie showcased by the duo.

Also Read: Classic Pick – Why Mani Ratnam’s Mouna Ragam is relevant even after 37 years of its release? 

The dialogues, action, and supporting cast

It is nearly impossible to find a Malayalam cinema lover today, who doesn’t remember at least one iconic dialogue from Spadikam (who can forget the ‘Otta kaalana’, 'Pathinettam Patta Thengu' and ‘Putthan Rayban glass’). Bhadran’s powerful writing and Mohanlal’s effortlessness gave birth to some of the most repeated punch dialogues, Malayalam cinema has ever had. When it comes to the action scenes, it is impossible to forget the Thoma, who covers the face of his enemy with his ‘Mundu’ (Dhoti), before every fight.

The stellar star cast including the brilliant leading lady Urvashi (even though it's an absolute pain to watch the character’s lack of self-respect), KPAC Lalitha, Nedumudi Venu, Rajan P Dev, NF Varghese, Karamana Janardhanan Nair, Chippy, Maniyanpilla Raju, Spadikam George, Ashokan, Silk Smitha, Sankaradi, Bahadoor, Bheeman Raghu, Indrans, and many others played their parts to near perfection.

If you are a cinema lover who missed watching this Mohanlal starter, or if you wish to revisit this iconic mass-action film, Spadikam is currently available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube.

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