Appunni, a Kathakali artist is the cousin of Chandramathi, a classical dancer, and is in love with her. Madhavan son of Karunakarapanickker who is the owner of Sadanam the Kathakali Kalari, returns from Russia and falls for Chandramathi and eventually they get married. Then enters Mahalakshmi- she is an artist who wants to learn Kathakali and is also the daughter of a rich business-man.
Acting
Mohanlal's simmering restraint as the doomed Appunni.
Direction
Sasi's signature tableau compositions—every frame a painting.
Costume
Authentic Kathakali regalia shot with devotional attention.
Director
I V Sasi
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Rangam captures 1980s Malayalam cinema's obsession with classical arts as moral battlegrounds—Kathakali here isn't just performance, it's masculine virtue itself.
I.V. Sasi reportedly cast Mohanlal against type here—fresh off comedy hits, this brooding role cemented his dramatic range pre-Spadikam.
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