Popular director Harikumar passed away on May 6, 2024. According to reports, the filmmaker had not been keeping well for the past few months after being diagnosed with cancer. Harikumar breathed his last in a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram at the age of 70. His demise is a significant loss to Malayalam cinema, as the late director, who is also a prolific scriptwriter, has created some truly memorable movies in the past. Harikumar Dies at 70 of Cancer: Malayalam Director Was Known for Making Mammootty-Starrers Sukrutham and Udhyanapalakan.

Harikumar made his directorial debut in 1981 with the film Aambal Poovu. Starring Sukumaran, Jalaja, and Jose, the movie's script was co-written by Harikumar and Perumpadavam Sreedharan. He directed a total of 16 feature films in Malayalam to date, and although he wrote screenplays, some of his movies were penned by legends like Balachandran Chullikkadu, MT Vasudevan Nair, Sreenivasan, and AK Lohithadas.

Harikumar's final film was released in 2022. Autorickshawkarante Bharya starred Suraj Venjaramoodu in the lead role, with Ann Augustine making her comeback to the big screen after a gap of seven years.

As we reflect on the legacy of this great filmmaker, let's highlight seven notable films directed by Harikumar and where you can watch them online.

Puli Varunne Puli

A Still From Puli Varunne Puli

The 1985 film Puli Varunne Puli is one of Malayalam cinema's most underrated comedies. The film features an ensemble cast with Mammootty and Nedumudi Venu playing conmen who get involved with two corrupt government employees, played Bharat Gopy and Karamana Janardanan Nair. Puli Varunne Puli can be watched on YouTube.

Jaalakam

A Still From Jaalakam

Jaalakam, which came out in 1987, is one of Harikumar's more acclaimed works. Scripted by Balachandran Chullikkad, Jaalakam is a psychological drama that involves college politics and a love story. The movie stars Ashokan, Parvathy, Srividya, MG Soman, Murali, Jagadish and Jagathy Sreekumar. Jaalakam is most remembered by Malayalam movie lovers for the poignant song "Oru Dalam Maathram", composed by the late MG Radhakrishnan. You can watch Jaalakam on Airtel Xtreme and YouTube.

Ezhunnallathu

A Still From Ezhunnallathu

The 1991 film Ezhunnallathu, scripted by S Bhasurachandran, may not have worked at the box office but enjoyed a good run on television. The dramedy has Jayaram, Mukesh, and Siddique in the lead, and it is a blend of humour, drama, and mystery. You can watch Ezhunnallathu on YouTube.

Sukrutham

A Still From Sukrutham

The 1994 film Sukrutham is argued by many as not only the best film directed by Harikumar but also one of the best films of Mammootty. A tragic tale of a man who makes a miraculous recovery from a fatal disease only to find that his second innings of life is not welcomed by his loved ones, Sukrutham features a fine, tragic performance by the great Mammootty. Scripted by MT Vasudevan Nair, the film also stars Shanti Krishna, Manoj K Jayan, Gauthami, and Narendra Prasad. "Kadalinnagaadhamaam Neelimayil," composed by the late Bombay Ravi, is still one of Malayalis' favourite songs. Sukrutham is streaming on JioCinema.

Udyanapalakan

A Still From Udyanapalakan

Scripted by AK Lohitadas, the 1996 film Udyanapalakan reunited Harikumar with Mammootty after the success of Sukrutham. Udyanapalakan, however, was not a success at the box office. However, it found a favourable response during its television airings. The film is a forbidden romance between an older single man, who loves his garden, and a young city-bred girl who loves plucking flowers from there. Kaveri played the female lead. The film is best remembered for Johnson's songs, "Mayyazhi" and "Pani Neer Poovithalil". You can watch Udyanapalakan on YouTube. From Vidheyan to Bramayugam, 5 Movies Where Mammootty Memorably Played Irredeemable Antagonists!

Swayamvara Panthal

A Still From Swayamvara Panthal

The 2000 film Swayamvara Panthal may not among Harikumar's best works, but it has found popularity during its airings on Surya TV. Starring Jayaram and Samuyuktha Verma in the lead, Swayamvara Panthal is a romantic drama about a good-hearted man who is tricked into marrying a girl with unstable mental health and yet cares enough to nurse her back to normal. The film is scripted by Sreenivasan and is streaming on SunNXT.

Autorickshawkarante Bharya

A Still From Autorickshawkarante Bharya

Harikumar's swansong came out in 2022 and is a social drama featuring Suraj Venjaramoodu and Ann Augustine in the lead. It centres around a couple, where the husband is an autorickshaw driver but is too lazy to earn their livelihood, and due to certain circumstances, the wife ends up driving the rickshaw. Autorickshawkarante Bharya is streaming on Disney+ Hotstar.

Which was your favourite Harikumar movie? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. May his soul rest in peace.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 06, 2024 08:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).