Sandhesam

Sathyan Anthikad's 1991 Malayalam film is about Raghavan Nair, who returns home after retiring. His plan for a peaceful life with his family is undone by his two sons, who fight constantly over their political differences. The screenplay is by Sreenivasan and counts among the sharpest satires written about Kerala politics. The film names no party, but it does everything needed to show how slogans, rallies and party loyalty swallow daily life. What the two brothers say to each other is still quoted thirty years on. The father played by Thilakan stands as the film's moral centre in the middle of the comedy. Anthikad's direction is measured; the satire is sharp but the characters never become caricatures. Who it's for: those who love Malayalam comedy and political satire. Who it's not for: viewers entirely unfamiliar with Kerala politics; some of the jokes require the local context.