Photo: YouTube
Film enthusiasts are in for a treat as the iconic Manichitrathazhu is scheduled to return to theatres in a new, high-definition format. With the re-release of Mohanlal's legendary Spadikam (1995) in a digitally remastered 4K Dolby Atmos version last year and the recent Devadoothan (2000), fans ain't complaining—rather, they want more! It appears that re-releases have become a thing for even Mollywood.
This psychological thriller, which has remained ingrained in many of our hearts since its first debut in 1993, is the latest addition to the list. This Malayalam classic cult film, starring Shobana, Mohanlal, and Suresh Gopi in the key roles, is returning to theatres over three decades after it was first released. The YouTube trailer has received over two lakh views and is now trending, the New Indian Express reported.
Manichitrathazhu was originally scheduled for a July re-release, but Kamal Haasan's Indian 2 caused a delay. During a July press conference, the producers announced that the movie was being remastered with Dolby Atmos sound technology and 4K visuals.
Due to the loss of the analogue print, they first had trouble recovering the film. But first, the filmmakers began remastering the print after obtaining it from the Mumbai film archives. Distribution for Manichitrathazhu is by E4 Entertainment and Matinee Now. The film, which was directed by Fazil, is praised for its captivating narrative, outstanding acting, and catchy soundtrack.
Shobana won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of the dissociative identity disorder sufferer Ganga. The ensemble cast of the movie includes, among others, KPAC Lalitha, Nedumdi Venu, Thilakan, and Innocent.
It was recreated in four languages: Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, and Kannada. Priyadarshan directed the 2013 spinoff Geethaanjali, in which Mohanlal reprised his role as Dr. Sunny. Manichitrathazhu will be re-released in theatres this week, on Saturday, August 17.