Underplayed Gems

Randu Pen Kuttikal (1978)

Randu Pen Kuttikal poster
Original title
രണ്ട് പെൺകുട്ടികൾ
Directed by
Mohan
Genre
LGBTQ-related film
Country
India
Rated
UA
Rating
9.0 of 10 from 1 voters
Elsewhere
IMDb
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How it feels

Two young women develop a close bond that grows into a romantic relationship. The film follows their connection in a conservative society that does not accept them.

gentlepoignantrestrainedtendermelancholicunderstatedaffectingquiet

What happens

Randu Penkuttikal is a 1978 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Mohan from a screenplay by Surasu, which is partially based on the novel of the same name by V. T. Nandakumar. It is one of the earliest films in Malayalam to explore themes of lesbianism in a nuanced manner. Director and film producer P. Stanley (Varadakshina/ Mochanam/Thoovanathumbikal) first acquired the rights to the story after reading the novel but was discouraged from making it into a film by a close friend. He then resold the rights to Mohan after the latter requested it (Stanley's health issues were also a contributing factor in his decision to give up the story). In a later interview, director Mohan said that he had never read the novel completely, before or after the making of this film. He adapted the title as well as the lead characters but asked Surasu to weave a script based on those characters and not necessarily based on the novel. However, V. T. Nandakumar is given credit for the story. (from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA)

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