Lovestruck: How Kunchacko Boban-Shalini's Aniyathipraavu redefined romance and also respect for parents

The late ’90s and early 2000s were the times when a group of young Gen-Stars burst into the movies in Malayalam cinema. Their debut vehicle came with unconventional choices, thus making it an unforgettable outing. One of the best debuts ever witnessed in Malayalam cinema was by Kunchacko Boban, back in 1997. Although he made his acting debut as a child artist, Aniyathipraavu forayed him as the leading and most bankable star. Another child artist who made her debut as an actor was Shalini, a fan-favourite indeed!

Filmmaker Fazil brought them together and created a magical and evergreen romantic film of all time. Although Chackochan and Shalini were the show-stealers, they were backed by an incredible supporting cast who uplifted the film in every way. The actors, namely Harisree Asokan, Sudheesh, Thilakan, Janardanan, Cochin, Hanifa, Srividya, and KPAC Lalitha, were the major highlights of the film.

Talking about the basic plot of Aniyathipraavu, as their families oppose their relationship, Mini (Shalini) and Sudhi (Chackochan) elope. They decide to persuade their parents before getting married, but fate has other ideas.

The film worked wonders with the ’90s kids who were on their path to discovering love in their lives and were also put to test to prove it to their parents. Several young people could relate to the film as it spoke about love for every person in their lives. This also includes parents... which was the most special aspect of Aniyathipraavu.

Mini and Sudhi are the apples of their respective families' eyes, so it comes as a shocker when they decide to elope and go against them. However, fate has something else planned for them and the film just takes an interesting and everlasting turn that has stayed in the fans' hearts for nearly 25 years now.

One of the most beautiful scenes in Aniyathipraavu is the climax scene when Srividya, as Sudhi's mother, finally takes charge and reunites the lovers for their happily ever after. That's what we can call great writing by one of the greatest filmmakers in Malayalam cinema, Fazil. It's not easy to conclude a family drama and give it a cliched ending. However, Aniyathipraavu's climax was not a cliched one back in the ’90s and it has been replicated several times since.

If it's an evergreen romantic film, it has to have incredible music as well, and well, it did! The film's music was composed by the veteran Ouseppachan, and those who have watched the film will say that Aniyathipraavinu, O Priye, Ennum Ninne, and Oru Raajamalli are among their favourite songs.

Sudhi (Boban) and Mini (Shalini) are shown as shy people who fall in love at first sight. Their chemistry is so palpable that many wished to have them married in real life too. The duo even went on to star in more films shortly, but fans were drawn back to Aniyathipraavu, and deservedly so.

The film has a separate fan base, which only ’90s kids can justify, and how!

It's been 25 years since the film was released, and the love Aniyathipraavu received prompted several filmmakers to remake it in other languages, including Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada.

However, the charm of Aniyathipraavu has stayed the same for more than two decades, and none of the remakes managed to touch it.

If you are a true-blue romantic movie lover and love watching movies in any language, hands-down, Aniyathipraavu has to be a part of your watchlist.

The film is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.