Jesus (1973 film)

Jesus is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by P. A. Thomas and starring Murali Das, Gemini Ganesan, Jayabharathi, Jayalalitha, Ushakumari, M. N. Nambiar, K. P. Ummar, Jose Prakash, Bahadoor and V. K. Ramasamy.^[1][2][3] The film was also dubbed in Tamil and Telugu. It was Jayalalithaa's only Malayalam film.

Jesus
Directed by	P. A. Thomas
Written by	Thomas Pictures Unit
Screenplay by	P. A. Thomas
Produced by	Thomas
Starring	Muralidas Thikkurissy Gemini Ganesan M. N. Nambiar K. P. Ummar Jose Prakash Ushakumari V. K. Ramasamy Jayabharathi Jayalalitha
Music by	M. S. Viswanathan
Production company	Universal Pictures
Distributed by	Thirumeni Pictures
Release date	21 December 1973 (1973-12-21)
Country	India
Language	Malayalam
Budget	₹1 million (US$12,000)
Box office	₹11.6 million (US$140,000)

Plot

The story is based on Christian beliefs. King Herod has ruled Judea for over 37 years and believes himself to be supreme. When three wise men from the Far East come to visit him, he is initially pleased, but this pleasure turns to anger when he finds out that they have traveled all the way to witness the birth of the son of God. After they depart, he instructs his Prime Minister to kill all children under the age of two years. Herod's instructions are carried out, but they don't find the baby Jesus, born in a stable in Bethlehem. Jesus, son of Joseph and virgin Mary, has been destined to lead mankind to a better path but must face many challenges, temptations and betrayal from ones he trusted the most, including humiliation, torture, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Cast

• Muralidas as Jesus
• Gemini Ganesan as John the Baptist
• Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair as King Herod
• K. P. Ummer as Herod Antipas
• Raji as Mary
• Ushakumari as Mary Magdalene
• Jayabharathi as Saint Veronica
• Jayalalithaa as Salome
• Jose Prakash as Annas
• Prameela as Martha
• M. N. Nambiar as Judas
• Major Sundarrajan as Pontius Pilate
• O. A. K. Thevar as Satan
• G. K. Pillai as Caiaphas
• V. K. Ramasamy as Saint Peter
• Vincent as John the Apostle
• Innocent as a courtier in King Herod's court
• Khadeeja
• Srikanth as goat rider

Soundtrack

The music was composed by K. J. Yesudas, M. S. Viswanathan, Alleppey Ranganath and Joseph Krishna and the lyrics were written by Sreekumaran Thampi, P. Bhaskaran, Bharanikkavu Sivakumar, Augustine Vanchimala and Vayalar Ramavarma. Alleppey Ranganath and Joseph Krishna made their debut as music director through this film.

No.	Song	Music Director	Singers	Lyrics	Length (m:ss)
1	"Athyunnathangalil Vaazhtheppedum" (Raajaavin Raajaavezhunnellunnu)	Joseph Krishna	P. Jayachandran, B. Vasantha, Chorus	Sreekumaran Thampi
2	"Ente Munthirichaarino"	M. S. Viswanathan	L. R. Eswari	P. Bhaskaran
3	"Gaagulthaa Malakale"	Alleppey Ranganath	K. J. Yesudas	Bharanikkavu Sivakumar
4	"Hosana"	K. J. Yesudas	P. Jayachandran, P. Leela, K. P. Brahmanandan, Chorus	Augustine Vanchimala
5	"Loreya" (Bit)	K. J. Yesudas	Chorus
6	"Yahoodiya"	Joseph Krishna	P. Susheela	Vayalar Ramavarma

See also

• List of Easter films

References

1. Freek L. Bakker, The Challenge of the Silver Screen: An Analysis of the Cinematic Portraits of Jesus, Rama, Buddha and Muhammad, Studies in Religion and the Arts, v. 1 (Leiden; Boston, MA: Brill, 2009), 13–77.
2. Peter Malone Screen Jesus: Portrayals of Christ in Television and Film 2012 "Reports of numerous locally made films of Jesus' life circulate particularly in South India, but other than Karunamayudu, only the following are well documented: Jesus (directed by P. A. Thomas, 1973); Shanti Sandesham (Telugu for Gospel of Peace).. Mulla Kireetam"
3. Vijayakumar, B. (29 March 2015). "Jesus: 1973". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 22 September 2022.

External links

• Jesus at IMDb