Watch Vaatsalyam

Vaatsalyam is a 1993 Indian Malayalam language drama film starring Mammootty, Geetha, and Siddique in lead roles. It was directed by Cochin Haneefa and produced by M. Mani. The film deals with the relationship between a father and his son, who is mentally challenged. The story revolves around Murikkum Kunnathu Panicker (Mammootty), a wealthy businessman who lives happily with his wife, Subhadra (Geetha), and their two sons. Panicker loves his elder son, Anand (Siddique), who is mentally challenged, but his love is not reciprocated by Anand. Anand hates his father and feels neglected and ignored by him. He is jealous of his younger brother, Manu, who is the apple of his father's eye.

As the story progresses, Anand's behavior becomes increasingly erratic, and it becomes clear that he needs professional help. Panicker, desperate to help his son, takes him to various doctors, but to no avail. Not only do the doctors fail to diagnose Anand's condition, but he also becomes violent towards them.

Amidst all this, Panicker's younger brother, Balagopalan (Jayaram), enters the scene. He is an unemployed man who is constantly at loggerheads with his brother. Balagopalan is sympathetic towards Anand and sees that his brother's love for his elder son is genuine. He tries to bridge the gap between Panicker and Anand, but his efforts go in vain.

The film's pivotal scene comes when Panicker shuns Anand during a family function. Anand, already feeling neglected and unwanted, is pushed to the edge and runs away from home. Panicker frantically searches for his son, realizing the depth of his love for him.

The second half of the film deals with Panicker's search for Anand, and how he finally finds him in a mental asylum. There he realizes his mistake, and the unrequited love he has for his son. He spends time with Anand, trying to rekindle their relationship, and eventually brings him back home.

The film ends on an emotional note, with Panicker and Anand bonding over a song. They share a moment of pure love, and Panicker's love for his son is finally reciprocated.

Mammootty delivers an exceptional performance as the patriarch torn between his love for his son and his duty towards his family. Geetha gives a restrained performance as the supportive wife, while Siddique shines as the mentally challenged Anand. Jayaram provides comic relief as the unemployed brother, but has some poignant moments as well.

The film's music by Johnson is a highlight, with the song 'Ente Kannil Ninakkai' standing out. The cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran is top-notch, capturing the picturesque Kerala landscape beautifully.

Overall, Vaatsalyam is an emotional drama that tugs at the heartstrings. It deals with a sensitive subject matter with finesse and sensitivity. The film's message of the importance of family and the power of love is conveyed effectively. It is a must-watch for fans of Mammootty and Malayalam cinema in general.

Vaatsalyam is a 1993 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 36 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4.