Athmashanthi (1952)
Inner Peace
Release date : 6 March 1952
Athmashanthi was the onscreen adaptation of NP Chellappan Nair’s highly successful theatre production – Sasikala. Directed by Joseph Thaliath (this was his first and last stint at the helm in Malayalam), the movie was widely panned by critics for its lacklustre story, listless and tepid songs and a story that was ‘beyond implausible’. Miss Kumari played Nirmala, the ever-suffering daughter, who wallows in pathos through the movie, with plot-points so contrived to suit the theme that it left the average viewer in disbelief.
Movie Handbill
Movie Still from Athmashanti (1952)
More about the Movie
| Miss Kumari | Vanchiyoor Madhavan Nair |
| Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair | Neyyattinkara Komalam |
| SP Pillai | Aranmula Ponnamma |
| P Mahadevan | K Ramaswamy |
| CR Lakshmi | Vani |
| S Menaka | Prafula |
| Indiracharya |
| Director | Joseph Thaliath |
| Producer | Dominic Joseph |
| Story | NP Chellappan Nair |
| Screenplay | NP Chellappan Nair |
| Dialogues | NP Chellappan Nair |
| Banner | Citadel Film Corporation |
| Art Direction | Vimalan |
| Cinematography | RN Pillai, AK Bohra |
| Lyrics | Abhayadev |
| Music | TR Pappa |
| Playback Singers | AP Komala, Janamma David, P Leela, TA Mothi |
| Choreography | Heera Lal, K Thankappan |
| Editing | PS Wildred |
The story revolves around Sridhara Panicker (Devan P M) and his family consisting of wife Janaki (Aranmula Ponamma) & daughter Nirmala (Miss Kumari). They live a peaceful life which is disrupted by Janaki’s brother, who escapes from jail and takes refuge in their house.
The Police Inspector, who holds a grudge against Panicker, initiates legal action. Thinking that Janaki had given refuge to her brother, Panicker doesn’t bother getting her out of jail either. Post the sentence, when Janaki, along with her new born child returns, Panicker refuses to accept her & the child. Heartbroken, she leaves for Madras, where she is given refuge by Doctor Bhaskaran.
Her child and Bhaskaran’s child Sharada grow together while in Kerala, Nirmala and her lover Madhu enjoy each other’s company.Later, when Madhu leaves for higher studies, he meets Sharada in the train. Along the way, Madhu gets into into a tiff with Shekhar, who is a fraud, and gets hurt. He is taken care of by Sharada during his hospitalization. Taking advantage of this situation, Shekhar spreads false stories about Madhu & Sharada, which reach Panicker. Angered on hearing this, he fixes Nirmala’s marriage elsewhere. Knowing this, Madhu is devastated and to find solace, marries Sharada.
However, Nirmala’s marriage does not take place. She faints during the marriage and it is learnt that she is a heart patient. For treatment, she is admitted to Dr Bhaskaran’s clinic. In Madras, post daughter’s marriage, Janaki leaves for a pilgrimage. Madhu & Sharada are living a life of penury, barely making ends meet. When Sharada realizes that Madhu still yearns for Nirmala, she decides to commit suicide but the attempt is foiled by Shekhar, who abducts her.
In the ensuing chase, Sharada is hurt and hospitalized. Nirmala realizes Sharada’s sacrifice and tries everything to save her life. Sharada is saved at last. Madhu and Sharada lead a happy life and have a child while Nirmala passes away peacefully.
This movie was distributed by Geo Pictures.