Thirty-six years after it first left an indelible mark on Malayalam cinema, Kireedam is set to return to theatres in a restored 4K version with Dolby Atmos sound.
Producer Dinesh Panicker, who co-produced the film under the banner of Kripa Films along with N Krishnakumar, shared the announcement through a social media post ahead of the occasion of Mohanlal’s birthday. Directed by Sibi Malayil and written by AK Lohithadas, the 1989 drama is widely regarded as one of the most important films in Malayalam cinema and remains a defining work in the actor’s career.
Mohanlal’s portrayal of Sethumadhavan, a young man whose dream of becoming a police officer is destroyed after a violent turn of events, earned him a Special Jury Mention at the National Film Awards and is still considered one of the finest performances in Indian cinema. Thilakan’s towering performance as Achuthan Nair, Sethumadhavan’s father, gave the film its devastating emotional core. The screenplay’s exploration of fate, family, and social stigma continues to resonate deeply with audiences across generations.
Presented by Seven Arts International Ltd. in collaboration with National Film Development Corporation of India, the restored version is scheduled to release in theatres across India in June. The film will be distributed by Hyzin Global Ventures.
The restored print received a grand reception at IFFI 2025
The 4K restoration was showcased at the International Film Festival of India, where Mohanlal introduced the film and reflected on its lasting emotional impact. The screening reaffirmed Kireedam’s status as a timeless classic and generated fresh excitement about its theatrical return.
Beyond its celebrated performances, Kireedam is remembered for the deeply humane writing of Lohithadas, the haunting score composed by Johnson and the understated cinematography of S Kumar. The climactic moment in which Achuthan Nair pleads with his son to put down the knife remains one of the most emotionally shattering scenes in Malayalam cinema.
The re-release will also allow audiences to revisit the work of several beloved actors who are no longer with us, including Mamukkoya, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Murali and Cochin Haneefa, alongside Jagathy Sreekumar, Jagadish and Parvathy.
For longtime admirers, the re-release offers a chance to relive one of Malayalam cinema’s greatest tragedies in a newly restored format. For younger viewers, it is an opportunity to discover why Sethumadhavan’s heartbreaking journey remains one of the most enduring stories ever told on screen.
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