Harikrishnans
Harikrishnans is a 1998 Indian Malayalam-language film blending mystery, comedy, and buddy elements, directed and written by Fazil.[1] The story centers on two prominent lawyers, both named Harikrishnan and portrayed by Mammootty and Mohanlal, who become entangled in investigating the murder of a college lecturer while developing romantic interests in the victim's sister, played by Juhi Chawla.[2] Produced under Suchitra Productions, the film marked a rare on-screen pairing of Malayalam cinema's leading actors Mammootty and Mohanlal, drawing significant attention for its star power and commercial appeal despite mixed critical reception on its pacing and plot resolutions.[1] It features supporting performances by Shamili, Innocent, and Kunchacko Boban, contributing to its ensemble dynamic typical of 1990s Malayalam entertainers.[3]Production
Development
Fazil developed the script for Harikrishnans as a mystery buddy comedy centered on two protagonists portrayed by Mammootty and Mohanlal, marking a deliberate pairing of Malayalam cinema's leading actors in a collaborative lead dynamic. The screenplay emphasized their characters' professional partnership as lawyers alongside elements of romantic competition, with pre-production focusing on balancing screen time and narrative prominence to leverage their combined star power.[4] Production responsibilities fell to Suchitra Mohanlal under Pranavam Arts, the banner established by Mohanlal for high-profile projects, ensuring logistical support and distribution aligned with the film's ambitious commercial scope budgeted at ₹2.5 crore. Mohanlal's direct involvement extended beyond acting, influencing key pre-production choices to facilitate the dual-lead structure. This setup reflected Pranavam Arts' track record of backing star-driven ventures, following earlier successes like Kaalapani (1996).[5] A pivotal scripting decision involved conceiving dual endings during the writing phase, where the female lead selects either Mohanlal's or Mammootty's character as her partner, allowing separate versions to be screened regionally based on audience demographics. This approach, described by Mammootty as a "sneaky" tactic to encourage repeat viewings by satisfying divergent fan loyalties, aimed to mitigate risks of alienating supporters of either star without altering the core investigative plot. The strategy originated from awareness of the actors' polarized fan bases, prompting Fazil to film both climaxes preemptively rather than post-release edits.[6][7]Casting
Mammootty and Mohanlal were cast in the dual lead roles of the lawyer friends Hari and Krishnan, drawing on their real-life camaraderie while navigating the competitive dynamics of their respective fanbases.[1] The selection aimed to harness the star power of these two Malayalam cinema icons, whose pairing was anticipated to generate significant box-office interest amid longstanding rivalries between supporters.[7] To mitigate perceptions of favoritism and ensure equitable portrayal, director Fazil balanced their screen time, a decision that extended to filming two alternate endings where the female lead selects one or the other.[6][8] This approach was explicitly intended to appease fans of both actors, reflecting the production's sensitivity to audience divisions.[7] Juhi Chawla was chosen for the central female role of Meera, representing her only venture into Malayalam cinema.[1] Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan was considered for an extended cameo as a potential romantic rival to the leads, with discussions even exploring a third ending featuring his character, but he ultimately proved unavailable due to prior commitments.[9][10] The supporting ensemble featured Innocent as Advocate Sundaresan, contributing comedic elements, alongside Nedumudi Venu as Thampuran and Kunchacko Boban in key roles to enhance narrative depth.[11]Filming
Principal photography for Harikrishnans occurred primarily at locations across Kerala, selected to reflect the film's regional setting and cultural elements.[5] Fazil directed the shoot, with cinematography by Anandakuttan, who captured the visuals emphasizing the duo protagonists' dynamic.[11] A key logistical challenge was synchronizing the availability of lead actors Mammootty and Mohanlal, whose packed commitments as top stars complicated the production timeline.[12] To accommodate divided audience loyalties, the team filmed two separate climax sequences during principal photography: one in which the female lead pairs with Hari (Mammootty) and another with Krishnan (Mohanlal).[6][13]Plot
Synopsis
Harikrishnans centers on two accomplished lawyers, Hari (Mohanlal) and Krishnan (Mammootty), who share a deep childhood friendship and operate as a renowned duo handling criminal cases across India.[14] The narrative unfolds when they reunite to probe the murder of Guptan, a college lecturer and guardian to the young woman Annie (Juhi Chawla), with police suspecting a hearing- and speech-impaired woodcutter named Gabriel as the perpetrator.[15] Annie enlists their aid to uncover the truth behind the crime, drawing the friends into a web of investigation that intertwines legal proceedings and personal entanglements.[2] As Hari and Krishnan delve deeper, employing courtroom tactics and detective work, both unexpectedly develop romantic affections for Annie, sparking humorous rivalries and straining their longstanding bond.[15] The story weaves elements of mystery through revelations about the murder's circumstances, comedic clashes between the protagonists, and romantic tensions, while highlighting their professional synergy in challenging the initial police conclusions.[16] This setup tests the limits of their friendship amid escalating conflicts and partial disclosures tied to Guptan's death, building toward a pivotal juncture without resolving the central romantic or investigative arcs.[2]Alternate Endings
Director Fazil filmed two distinct endings for Harikrishnans to conclude the romantic triangle involving Annie and the titular characters without privileging one lead over the other. In the first version, Annie chooses Krishnan (Mammootty); in the second, she selects Hari (Mohanlal).[7][6] For the October 1998 theatrical release, distributors screened these versions in separate theaters, allocating the Mohanlal-favorable ending to regions with stronger support for him and the Mammootty version elsewhere, thereby catering to the actors' divided fanbases.[8][7] This bifurcation approximated an even split across screenings, prompting many viewers to attend multiple showings to experience both resolutions.[7] The approach, unprecedented in Indian cinema at the time, elicited prompt discussions on its effects on storytelling unity, even as it boosted initial box-office performance through targeted fan appeasement.[7][17]Cast and Characters
Lead Roles
Mammootty portrays Hari, one half of the titular duo of criminal lawyers known as Harikrishnans, who investigate the murder of college lecturer Guptan Namboothiri and uncover connections to the suspect Gabriel.[1][14] Mohanlal plays Krishnan, Hari's professional and childhood friend partner in the firm, sharing the investigative responsibilities and forming the core buddy dynamic central to the film's mystery and comedic elements.[1][18] Juhi Chawla enacts Meera, a woman who befriends the victim during travel and becomes a key figure in the unfolding case as both lawyers develop romantic interests in her, positioning her at the heart of the narrative's romantic conflict.[14][18] The film's structure accommodates fan preferences through alternate climaxes, where Meera's choice between Hari and Krishnan is resolved via a coin toss, with different versions favoring one outcome over the other for theatrical releases in regions dominated by each actor's following.[19][14]Supporting Roles
Innocent portrayed Advocate Sundaresan, a colleague in the legal fraternity who aids the protagonists in unraveling the murder case, contributing to the film's investigative tension.[20] Cochin Haneefa played Kunjikuttan, a character involved in comedic interrogations tied to the killing of college lecturer Guptan, enhancing the mystery through humorous subplots. His performance, alongside interactions with the lead lawyers, amplified the buddy dynamic between Hari and Krishnan by injecting levity into procedural elements.[11] Nedumudi Venu appeared as Thampuran, providing authoritative counsel that deepened the narrative's exploration of ethical dilemmas in the courtroom.[1] Kunchacko Boban essayed Sudarshanan, a younger associate whose subplot intersects with the central romance and probe, bridging generational aspects of the story.[20] Comedic relief was further bolstered by Jagadish and Maniyanpilla Raju in peripheral roles that satirized peripheral witnesses and allies, underscoring the film's blend of thriller and humor.[3] Other notable supporting actors included Sudheesh as Poojappura Ravi, who featured in ensemble scenes advancing the whodunit, and Shamili in a familial subplot reinforcing the leads' backstory.[11] Rajiv Menon briefly enacted the victim Guptan, whose death catalyzes the plot without extending into sustained character development.[3]| Actor | Role | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Innocent | Adv. Sundaresan | Legal support in investigation[20] |
| Cochin Haneefa | Kunjikuttan | Comic interrogation scenes |
| Nedumudi Venu | Thampuran | Ethical guidance[1] |
| Kunchacko Boban | Sudarshanan | Subplot linkage to romance[20] |
| Jagadish | Public Prosecutor | Satirical courtroom humor[3] |
| Maniyanpilla Raju | Unspecified ally | Peripheral comedy[3] |
Soundtrack
Composition
The soundtrack for Harikrishnans was composed by Ouseppachan, encompassing both the featured songs and background score.[21] All lyrics were written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri.[21] The music was created in 1998 to accompany the film's mystery-comedy storyline, with production aligned to the September release timeline.[22] Ouseppachan's work draws from his established style in Malayalam cinema, emphasizing melodic structures suitable for narrative integration.[22]Track Listing
The soundtrack of Harikrishnans, composed by Ouseppachan with lyrics primarily by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, consists of six principal songs.[23][21]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Duration | Scene Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minnalkaivala | Sujatha Mohan | 5:12 | Featured in a light-hearted sequence involving the lead characters' investigation.[23][21] |
| 2 | Ponnaambal Puzhayirambil | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | 5:45 | Duet picturized during a riverside romantic interlude.[23][24] |
| 3 | Poojaabimbam Mizhi Thurannu | K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra | 4:58 | Romantic number highlighting emotional intimacy between protagonists.[23][21] |
| 4 | Ponne Ponnambili | M. G. Sreekumar | 5:30 | Upbeat track associated with comedic elements in the narrative.[23][21] |
| 5 | Samayamithapoorva | M. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha Mohan | 6:02 | Duet underscoring themes of timing and fate in key dialogues.[23][21] |
| 6 | Poojaabimbam (Solo Version) | K. S. Chithra | 4:20 | Variant used in reflective moments.[24][25] |