Lelam is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language crime film directed by Joshiy and written by Renji Panicker. It stars Suresh Gopi, M. G. Soman, Siddique, N. F. Varghese, Nandini, Maniyanpilla Raju, Vijayakumar, Spadikam George, and Kaviyoor Renuka in the lead roles. It was also the last film of the veteran actor M.G. Soman. The story revolves around the rivalry between two liquor business groups, the Aanakkattil family and Kadayadi family. The film was dubbed in Tamil as Yelam. Lelam was a blockbuster at the box-office and is also among the highest grossers of the 1990s.
Plot
The film begins with Captain Jacob Stephan, popularly known as Anakkattil Chackochi along with his friend Karimbanadan Sunny going to Pollachi to meet Andipetti Veerapandi Thevar who deals with a spirit business. Thevar, though initially differs to negotiate, later after knowing that Chackochi is the son of Eappachan, his old friend agrees to help them. On way back to Kerala, they are stopped at check post by John Maruthnayagam, the police officer, who happened to be the colleague of Chackochi in army and helps them in leading back. Back at home, Anakattil Eappachan, his father is a famous liquor baron, who holds almost a monopoly over spirit business over Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. Eappachan is always at loggerheads with K.K Group, his business rivals. Popularly known as Kadayadi siblings — Kadayadi Raghavan, Kadayadi Thambi and Kadayadi Baby enjoys a partnership with Kunnel Mathachan and his son Kunnel Outha in their business. Eappachan, who hails from a poor background has emerged in to such a position with his hard work and struggle and he had never forgotten his roots. But time to time, he had to clash with Kadayadi and Kunnel group over business. On the other side Chackochi is enjoying his life as a planter in the company of his buddies Hussein and Oommachan. He also shares a passionate relation with Gowri Parvathi, the RDO and of royal lineage. KK Group always lose to Eappachan but they have never stopped their evil ways to eliminate him. The same time Eappachan agrees to give his shares of profit to them in order to settle things peacefully. Still they are not satisfied, & in an attempt to regain the past glory in business, Kadayadi and Kunnel clans join with Excise minister Balakrishnan and Eappachan's lieutenant Kattithara Paappi, thereby plans and kills Eappachan one day; Baby stabbing Eappachan by ambushing him from behind. Chackochi is now forced to take charge of the business an has to face several problems from both police and rivals. Jayasimhan, the police officer, who is investigating the murder of Eappachan is also a part of the Kadayadi syndicate, which makes Chackochi investigate the case himself. The police presents a local criminal Keeri Vasavan as the murderer of Eppachan, who, with the lack of evidence is granted bail at court. Chackochi is not ready to buy this argument and smells the hands of the Kadayadi and Kunnel families in it. He also decides to give up the liquor business by handing over the entire power to his employees which shocks his enemies and friends alike. Karimbanadan Sunny, his close buddy and budding politician, who was aiming Chackochi's business empire joins with Kadayadi group a day before the auction of spirit. He sinisterly sells out Hussein, who is now under the custody of the Kadayadis. Hussein is beaten brutally, but he never reveals the business secrets of Chackochi. Within a short time Chackochi reaches Hussein to save him, but is shocked to see Sunny among his enemies. In the following fight, Thampi and Sunny are killed. Chackochi kills Kadayadi Raghavan, Kunnel Mathachan and Kunnel Outha in a fight. Baby fights for a long time and is about to be killed by Chackochi however Gowri Parvathi stops him. Chackochi is ready to forgive but Baby shoots both — enraging him and finally killing Baby. As fire breaks out as the liquor explodes, Chackochi successfully manages to save Hussein and Gowriparvathi along with Ommen.
Indian Express wrote "If you’re in the mood for tears, blood and weak jokes, check out this particular Lelam’". Times of India wrote "It’s a sizzler of an action movie. When director Joshi strikes, he spews venom. The film packs punch and stands out for the riveting performances from Suresh Gopi and M.G. Soman".
Sequel
On 9 March 2019, The Times of India reported that Suresh Gopi has confirmed that there would be a sequel to the film, titled Lelam 2. He also added that he would be playing the same character as in the prequel as Aanakattil Chackochi, while his son Gokul Suresh plays Kochu Chackochi. The film is written by Renji Panicker and would be directed by his son Nithin Renji Panicker.
