Ustaad (1999 film)


Ustaad is a 1999 Indian Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Sibi Malayil and written by Ranjith. The film was produced by Ranjith and Shaji Kailas. The plot follows Parameshwaran, a soft-spoken businessman who leads a double life as an underworld don named Ustaad, he takes care of his younger sister Padmaja, his only family. The film also features Indraja, Narendra Prasad, N. F. Varghese, Rajeev, and Vineeth.
The songs were composed by Vidyasagar and Thej Mervin, while C. Rajamani provided the background score. Ustaad was released on 5 May 1999. The film was a commercial success at the box office and ran over 100 days in theatres, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year.

Plot

Ustaad was a powerful underworld don in Mumbai. He decides to stop everything and settle down in his home town with his sister Padmaja. Before he goes back, he sends his people Sami and Sethu to Yousuf Shah Associates to withdraw his share. Yousuf Shah, however, is not ready to give him a single penny. When Sulaiman, Yousuf's manager, creates a problem, Ustaad uses it to take his share of the money by force.
Back in Kozhikode, his hometown, Ustaad is merely Parameshwaran, an adorable brother and guardian to his younger sister Padmaja. He maintains a low profile as a businessman who has ventured into real estate.
Padmaja has fallen in love with her friend and dance teacher Nandan, who is the son of Koliyodan Shekharan, a businessman who has not been doing so well, mainly because of the extravagant lifestyle of his older son Koliyodan Giri. Mohan Thampy, Shekharan's son-in-law, is a business tycoon and a politician as well. Thampy originally was helped financially by Shekharan, but over time, he got more involved with the underworld, and due to that they have a strained relationship.
Varsha, a newly appointed police commissioner, does not like Parameshwaran. Meanwhile, Padmaja wants to marry Nandan, to which Parameshwaran gives his approval. The night before the wedding, Parameshwaran is arrested by Varsha for gold smuggling. He learns that his arrest was set up by Yousuf Shah and Thampy. Varsha later realizes her mistake, and vows to support Parameshwaran.
Thampy then devises a plan to vanquish Ustaad. He force Padmaja to vow her properties to help her father-in-law who has a large debt to Thampy. As a mediator, Thampy gives some money to Giri and advise him to keep it on Nandan's office room and will inform the police and make Nandan and Padmaja arrest for money laundering. This enrages Ustaad. He finds Thampy who is in the protection of a minister. He makes him speak all the truth in front of Varsha.
Later Yousuf threatens Ustaad by telling him that he will kill his sister by bomb and breaks his right hand. Ustaad hunts down Yousuf Shah, who flees to Dubai, and finally defeats him in the desert. He flies back to join his sister and family.

Cast

The song "Theerchayilla Janam" was filmed at the AVM Studio in Chennai, for which a set was constructed resembling a bar. It was choreographed by Kala. The song was sung by Mohanlal and featured himself along with dancers, club members, and the villains.

Soundtrack

The songs soundtrack was composed by Vidyasagar and Thej Mervin. The lyrics were by Gireesh Puthenchery and Kannan Pareekutty.
TrackSongSingerNotes
1Vennila KombileK. J. Yesudas
2Chil Chil Chil ChilamboliM. G. Sreekumar, Chorus
3TheerchayillaMohanlalLyrics: Kannan Pareekutty
Music: Thej Mervin
4ChandramukhiM. G. Sreekumar, Srinivas, Sujatha Mohan, Radhika Thilak
5Vennila KombileSrinivas
6Naadodi PoonthinkalM. G. Sreekumar, Sujatha MohanRaga: Naatta
7ChandramukhiInstrumental

Reception

Ustaad was released on 5 May 1999. The film was a commercial success at the box office and ran over 100 days in theatres, becoming one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of the year. The movie was speculated to be an inspiration for the 2015 Tamil movie Vedalam.