Released in 1999 under Vinayan’s direction, ‘Akashaganga’ is one of the all-time biggest hit horror films in Malayalam cinema history. Produced under the banner of Akash Films, the movie created a major wave at the box office and paved a new path for horror films in Malayalam. The film has been dubbed into Tamil as ‘Avala Aaviya’ and in Hindi as ‘Maaya Ka Saaya’. Subsequently, on November 1, 2019, the second part of the film titled ‘Akashaganga 2’ hit the theaters.
Cast and Crew
Divya Unni (Maya / Daisy / the girl possessed by Ganga’s soul), Riyaz (Unnikuttan Thampuran) who made his debut as a hero in the film, Mayoori who played Ganga, and Mukesh who appeared as James, Daisy’s fiancé, shone in the lead roles. The film featured a massive stellar cast including Rajan P. Dev (Meppadan Thirumeni), Jagadish, Innocent, Sukumari, Cochin Haneefa, Kalpana, Jagathy Sreekumar, N. F. Varghese, and Kalabhavan Mani.
With a screenplay by Benny P. Nayarambalam, the film had cinematography by Ramachandra Babu and editing by G. Murali. The songs, composed by Berny-Ignatius to the lyrics of S. Ramesan Nair, and the background score by Rajamani were major highlights of the film.
Detailed Plot Summary
Devan (Madhupal), a member of the Manikyasseri family, falls in love with Ganga (Mayoori), a servant girl of the household. Upon learning that Ganga is pregnant, the Thampuran becomes furious and brutally beats Ganga. The unconscious Ganga is burned alive on a funeral pyre. Consequently, Ganga turns into a yakshi (spirit), seeks revenge on the Manikyasseri family, and Devan commits suicide. For the protection of the family, an exorcist named Meppadan Thirumeni (Rajan P. Dev) imprisons the spirit of the yakshi within a banyan tree (palashamaram) and strictly instructs that the male members of the family must live as celibates.
Years later, Unnikuttan (Riyaz) of the Manikyasseri family meets and falls in love with Daisy, a Christian girl (later called Maya), on the sets of a movie shoot. Although they marry due to family insistence, they live under the condition that they shall not consummate the marriage. Meanwhile, James (Mukesh), Daisy’s former fiancé, finds her, and Daisy goes missing.
Meppadan Thirumeni and Father Michael realize that it is Ganga’s soul that has entered Daisy’s body, and that Ganga afflicted Daisy when she untied the knots of that banyan tree during an excursion trip in her college days. After wreaking vengeance on the family, when the yakshi attempts to take Daisy’s life, Meppadan Thirumeni exorcises the yakshi without harming Daisy, using the exact same method by which Ganga was killed years ago.
Returning in full health and having forgotten all the events, Daisy does not remember anything that happened to her while possessed. Finally, James, understanding Unni’s sincere love, hands Daisy back to Unnikuttan, and the film concludes with her becoming a part of the Manikyasseri family under the name Maya.
Cast
- Divya Unni: Maya / Daisy / The girl possessed by Ganga’s soul
- Riyaz: Unnikuttan Thampuran (Film marking his debut as hero)
- Mayoori: Ganga (The servant girl who becomes a yakshi)
- Mukesh: James (Daisy’s fiancé)
- Rajan P. Dev: Meppadan Thirumeni (Magician/Exorcist)
- Jagadish: Krishnan Thampuran
- Innocent: Rama Varma Thampuran
- Sukumari: Kunjikkavu / Manikyasseri Thampuratti
- N. F. Varghese: Father Mikhael
- Kalabhavan Mani: Francis (Father Vettukuzhi)
- Kalpana: Kochu Thresya / Aaveshananda Swamikal
- Cochin Haneefa: Philipose (Daisy’s father)
- Jagathy Sreekumar: Muthippura Varkey
- Spadikam George: Manikyasseri Thampuran
- Madhupal: Devan Thampuran
Songs
The songs in the film, composed by Berny-Ignatius to the lyrics of S. Ramesan Nair, were all massive hits:
- “Puthu Mazhayayi vannu nee…” – Sung by: K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
- “Vaikasi thingalirangum vaidooryakadavil…” – Sung by: K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra
- “Kai niraye snehavumay…” – Sung by: K. J. Yesudas, Sujatha Mohan
- “Kovalanum Kannakiyum…” – Sung by: K. S. Chithra
For more details: Navamalayalam.com