Interesting path I took surfing today. All started with Sibin’s comment where he reminded me that the name of the movie I wanted was Piravi. Thanks for that mate.
Going down this path I wa nostalgic – reading about all the films, filmstars and singers I like.
Some of the names that come to my mind are mentioned below. Do try to see this – maybe you can get a DVD with subtitles.
Disclaimer: Mohanlal and Mammootty are my all time favourite stars alongwith the Big B.
Movies:
1. His Highness Abdullah
2. Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha
3. Kamaladalam
4. Bharatam
5. Manichitrathazhu
6. Yodha
7. Johny Walker
8. Poochakkoru Mookkuthi
9. Kilukkam
10. Chithram
11. Kireedam
1,3 and 4 were the first 3 movies made by Pranavam Arts(Mohanlal’s production house) and each was a super duper hit. His Highness Abdullah is my all time favourite with great lilting semi-classical songs and a light story. Kamaladalam is much more serious and is strongly tilted towards the performing arts. This movie reminded me of certain Kamaal Hassan movies. Bharatam is a very very serious movie again revolving around classical music. Wonderful set of movies.
Yodha was the first movie in which I heard A.R.Rehman’s work – and I was blown away. There is a classic malyalam curse filled rap in this movie which is simply hilarious. Still this movie remains in my memory for the background soundtrack – much of it reminding one of Enigma style renditions.
Johny Walker has an extrordinary gothic feel to it in it’s climax.
Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha is the best swashbuckling movie I have ever seen – it managed to overturn a widely followed tale of years passed right on it’s head. Wonderful take and a great movie.
Chitram and Kilukkam has been remade into hindi – but the magic of the original remains, especially. Even now when I see some person (photographer) scope a scene out by gazing between his palms I remember this movie and feel sad for a moment.
Kireedam was remade in Hindi and was a hit. I think it was Gardish, it had Jackie Shroff as the hero. Good movie but Kireedam was much much better;)
I think I’d better stop now 🙂 Guess I will continue about Malyali Towns later:)
The Whiz's Crucible 
All the movies that you mentioned are among my favourites..and me too a HUGE fan of Mammooty, Mohanlal and the Big B…I am also a great fan of the director Jeyaraj, and in my opinion, the all -time best malayalam movie has to be : Paithrukam.
If you are a mammooty fan, then don’t miss :
Bhoothakannadi, Kazhcha and Rajamanickam.
For Mohanlal, of course :
Vandanam, Sanmanassullavarku Samadhanam and devasuram (although “Chenkol”, the second part of Kireedam was also awesome).
Interestingly, the person that shone in Oru Vadakkam Veragatha, was Surech Gopi, playing thacholi othenan in a bad light…that was an awesome performance…also might have been exceedingly difficult, portraying one of Kerala’s folklore heroes in that manner. But just my opinion.