Directed by Sibi Malayil, Kireedam is widely regarded as one of Malayalam cinema’s most unforgettable tragedies
Malayalam cinema is set to relive one of its most emotionally powerful masterpieces as Kireedam returns in a newly restored avatar. Actor Mohanlal, who delivered one of the most defining performances of his career in the 1989 film, has called it “an honour” to witness the classic being brought back to the big screen.
The National Film Archive of India (NFDC–NFAI) has restored Kireedam in 4K from a 35mm release print—one that had fortunately been preserved for decades after the film’s original camera negative decomposed. The world premiere of the restored version is being showcased under Special Screenings at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa.
Sharing the news on X, Mohanlal expressed both pride and gratitude. “Delighted to share the world premiere of the 4K restoration of Kireedam (1989)… The film has been meticulously restored by NFDC – National Film Archive of India from a 35mm release print,” he wrote. He added that the final grading had been supervised by the film’s cinematographer, S. Kumar, ensuring that the restored work stays true to its original visual tone and emotional language. “It is an honour to witness this classic return to the screen,” the actor said.
Mohanlal also praised the National Film Heritage Mission for enabling lost or decayed works of Indian cinema to be revived for future generations. “It is heartening to see Kireedam revived under the National Film Heritage Mission,” he said, offering his best wishes to NFDC–NFAI “as they continue preserving and presenting India’s cinematic heritage for future generations, in both digital and analog form.”
Directed by Sibi Malayil, Kireedam is widely regarded as one of Malayalam cinema’s most unforgettable tragedies. The film stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, Parvathy Jayaram and Mohanraj, and explores the story of a young man whose life spirals in an unexpected direction despite the purity of his intentions. The father–son dynamic between Mohanlal and Thilakan remains a timeless benchmark for emotional storytelling in Indian cinema.
Upon its release in 1989, Kireedam became both a critical and commercial success. It earned Mohanlal a National Award (Special Mention) for his gut-wrenching portrayal of Sethumadhavan—a performance that showcased the actor’s extraordinary ability to communicate pain, helplessness and emotional depth with quiet intensity. To this day, the film holds an iconic place in Malayalam cinema, often cited for its nuanced writing, stellar performances and haunting climax.
With its restoration, a new generation of cinephiles will have the chance to experience Kireedam as it was meant to be seen—on the big screen, with all the emotional resonance and cinematic detail it continues to be celebrated for.
