Pazhassi Raja (1964 film)

Pazhassi Raja is a 1964 Malayalam biographical film directed and produced by Kunchako. It is written by well known playwright Thikkodiyan and is based on the life of warrior king Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja. It stars Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair in the title role, and Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Satyapal, S. P. Pillai, Rajashree and Pankajavalli in other important roles.

The story is set at a time when the East India Company was trying to establish its control and most of the city states in Kerala had surrendered to the company. Sankara Varma Nanukuttan, king of Kurumbranad, had also surrendered. Kerala Varma Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair, king of Pazhassi and nephew of Sankara Varma, fought against the Company. Sankara Varmas niece Ammu Thampuratty Rajasree, Gracy in the title cards and nephew Unni Boban escape and seek refuge in Pazhassi Rajas palace. Tipu Sultan invades Malabar in an attempt to bring the city states that surrendered to the Company under his control. Unable to fight with the ferocious troops of Tipu Sultan, the British decide to have a treaty with Pazhassi Raja with whose support they hoped to defeat Tipu Sultan. Pazhassis guerrilla warfare succeeds. The British manage to free all the city states captured by Tipu Sultan. Pazhassis crafty uncle convinces the British authorities to allow him collect the taxes in Kottayam. He goes to declare that he is the real heir to the dynasty. Pazhassi Raja opposes this move. The British Commandant Wellesley Satyapal invites Pazhassi Raja to his bungalow to discuss the issue. Ammu Thampuratti and Unni who reach the bungalow in disguise inform Pazhassi about the treacherous plans of the British. When Pazhassi defies the British they try to arrest him. The Kurichya bowmen of Pazhassi defeat this ploy and rescue their king. The British troops capture Pazhassi Rajas palace. The Raja and his military commandants and attendants, Kaitheri Ambu Dr. Chandraguptan, Kannavathu Nambiar Prem Nazir, Unni Moosa Sankaradi and the Kurichya leader Chandu Vincent Chacko escape to the dense Puralimala forests from where they begin guerrilla warfare against the British. An official of the Company, Baber Satyan, who reaches Pazhassis hideout with the help of Pazhayam Veedan Kottayam Chellappan is beaten up and sent back with a warning. The British decide to go all out against Pazhassi. A bitter stru

Source: Wikipedia