Chemmeen

Chemmeen

Year: 1965

Runtime: 140 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Ramu Kariat

RomanceDrama

Karutthamma, the daughter of a Hindu fisherman, falls deeply for a Muslim fish trader, and their romance blossoms against the backdrop of the coastal fishing community. Yet entrenched social and religious prejudices threaten to tear them apart, drawing the anger and opposition of both families and neighbours.

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Timeline & Setting – Chemmeen (1965)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Chemmeen (1965). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:10

Main Characters – Chemmeen (1965)

Meet the key characters of Chemmeen (1965), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Pareekkutty (Madhu)

A young fish trader who finances Chembankunju's dream of a bigger fishing operation. He loves Karuthamma and embodies a practical, determined spirit; his ambitions intertwine with the village's social constraints. The partnership with Chembankunju enables a rise that ultimately contributes to the tragedy.

💑 Lover 🧭 Ambitious 🛠️ Financier

Karuthamma (Sheela)

Chembankunju's daughter, torn between her duty to family and her love for Pareekkutty. Her sacrifices reflect the strength and sorrow of a woman navigating a rigid social system. She becomes a focal point of gossip and misunderstanding that drives the plot toward tragedy.

💔 Forbidden Love 🏛️ Tradition 🌊 Village Life

Chakki (Adoor Bhavani)

Karuthamma's mother, a voice of warning about the consequences of defying tradition. She embodies the parental concern to shield the family from social shame. Her illness at a critical moment underscores the fragility of family bonds.

🌟 Protective 👩‍👧 Family 🧭 Social norms

Nalla Pennu (Adoor Pankajam)

A significant figure in the village's social web, contributing to the collective gaze that shapes Karuthamma's life. Her interactions highlight the pressures and humor within the tight-knit fishing community.

🎭 Social dynamics 🧭 Community 🪶 Subtle humor

Chembankunju (Kottarakkara Sreedharan Nair)

The ambitious father who seeks wealth through boats and nets. His greed drives family strife and fuels distrust, ultimately leading to personal and financial ruin. He becomes a cautionary figure about the corrupting power of money.

💰 Greed 🏗️ Power 🌪️ Downfall

Palani (Sathyan)

An orphan found by Chembankunju and later Karuthamma's husband. He faces ostracism from the community and relies on Karuthamma’s support. His arc shows how external judgments can fracture a marriage and drive a man to solitude at sea.

🤝 Loyal 🌀 Social pressure 🚣‍♂️ Seafaring

Panchami (Latha Raju)

Chembankunju's younger daughter who resents her stepmother and the tension in the household. She embodies the younger generation's conflict with the older generation's codes. Her actions ripple through the family dynamics and influence Karuthamma's decisions.

👧 Youth 🎭 Family conflict 🪶 Resilience

Achankunju (S. P. Pillai)

Pappikunju's son, a child of the marriage that Chembankunju disapproves. His departure and longing reflect the human cost of a fracture in familial trust. He represents the next generation caught in the bevy of family tragedy.

🧒 Youth 🌀 Fallout 🪁 Hope

Pappikunju

Widow who marries Chembankunju after the first marriage ends, a central player in the shifting family dynamics. Her presence in the home and the theft of savings amplify tensions within the family.

💧 Widow 💰 Family tensions 🕊️ Compassion

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:10

Major Themes – Chemmeen (1965)

Explore the central themes of Chemmeen (1965), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

💔 Love vs Tradition

Karuthamma's love for Pareekkutty clashes with the strict social norms of the fishing village. The couple's relationship is tested by family pressure and communal gossip. The story shows how tradition can suppress personal happiness and push people toward drastic choices. The outcome highlights the cost of broken social codes on individuals and communities.

🌊 Fate and the Sea

The sea governs the lives of the villagers and becomes a force of fate. Palani's fate, and Karuthamma and Pareekkutty's deaths, are framed as consequences of a harsh coastline. The occasional storms and whirlpools mirror the couple's doomed romance. The ending uses the ocean as a silent judge of human passions.

💰 Greed and Power

Chembankunju's obsession with wealth grows, corrupting his judgment and straining family ties. His relentless pursuit of boats and nets leads to bankruptcy for Pareekkutty and a descent into madness. The narrative links economic ambition with moral decline.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 18:10

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Chemmeen Summary

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Chemmeen Summary

Chemmeen Timeline

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Chemmeen Timeline

More About Chemmeen

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