Kalikkalam

Kalikkalam

Year: 1990

Runtime: 128 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Sathyan Anthikad

Drama

Mammootty portrays a burglar who adopts multiple aliases across towns. Though a thief, he is compassionate, secretly using his loot to aid the poor and orphans. During a heist he witnesses a murder that leads to police officer Shekharan being wrongfully blamed. He then works to clear Shekharan’s name and prove his innocence.

Kalikkalam (1990) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Kalikkalam (1990) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In the restless towns that form the film’s backdrop, a lone figure drifts from street to street, slipping into new identities with ease—Shankar, Antony, Tony Louis, and more. The burglar (Mammootty) moves through bustling markets and quiet alleys with a practiced confidence, his presence hinted at more by whispered rumors than by any official record. Though his livelihood rests on taking what isn’t his, he carries a quiet compassion, diverting the fruits of his clandestine work toward children without homes and families living on the edge, creating a paradox that colors every encounter.

The uneasy balance between law and conscience sharpens when a local officer becomes the focus of suspicion for a crime that never truly fits the evidence. Shekharan (Murali), fresh from his posting, finds his reputation hanging in the balance, his sense of duty collided with the murky reality of the town’s undercurrents. The dynamic sets up a subtle cat‑and‑mouse tension, where the burglar’s intimate knowledge of the streets and the officer’s relentless pursuit hint at a deeper, morally charged showdown, each aware that the truth may lie far from the black‑and‑white world of duty and transgression.

Around them, a small cast of characters adds texture to the unfolding drama. A young, hopeful soul named Jamal offers a glimpse of the community the burglar tries to protect, while Annie brings a fleeting tenderness that briefly softens the hard edges of his itinerant life. Their brief intersections suggest that, beyond the chase, the story is as much about humanity’s capacity for unexpected kindness as it is about the shadows that linger in every corner of the city. The film’s tone remains gritty yet lyrical, inviting viewers to wonder how far a man will go when his own survival is intertwined with the hope of those he silently shields.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:39

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies with a Charitable Anti-Hero like Kalikkalam

Stories of outlaws with a hidden heart of gold, helping those in need.If you enjoyed the moral complexity of Mammootty's thief in Kalikkalam, explore other films featuring compassionate criminals. These movies like Kalikkalam blend crime drama with heartfelt acts of generosity, focusing on anti-heroes who challenge conventional notions of good and evil through their secret benevolence.

morally complexcharity-drivenhopefulsuspensefulgenerousredemptiveanti-hero

Narrative Summary

This thread groups stories where a character's criminal identity masks a generous spirit. The narrative typically follows their secret charitable acts, often putting them at odds with the law or their own criminal associates, leading to conflicts that test their dual nature.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on the central theme of the charitable anti-hero. They share a hopeful tone amidst criminal premises, a steady pacing that balances action with character-driven moments, and a focus on the moral ambiguity of using wrong methods for right reasons.

Redemptive Stories About Clearing a Name like Kalikkalam

A character's journey to fix a wrongful accusation, often at a personal cost.For viewers who liked the plot of Kalikkalam where a thief works to clear an officer's name, this section features similar movies about wrongfully accused characters. Discover drama and crime films where the central goal is proving innocence, culminating in bittersweet victories and moral redemption.

false accusationredemptioncat-and-mousebittersweetjusticesuspensefulconfession

Narrative Summary

The core pattern involves a false accusation that sets the plot in motion. The journey focuses on gathering evidence and navigating danger to expose the truth. The resolution is typically bittersweet, as achieving justice for another often requires the protagonist to confront their own sins or sacrifice their freedom.

Why These Movies?

These films are connected by the specific plot arc of rectifying a wrongful blame. They share a steady, suspenseful pacing driven by investigation, a medium emotional weight balancing crime with hope, and a bittersweet ending feel where redemption is achieved but not without personal loss.

Unlock the Full Story of Kalikkalam

Don't stop at just watching — explore Kalikkalam in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Kalikkalam is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Kalikkalam Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Kalikkalam, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Kalikkalam Summary

Kalikkalam Timeline

Track the full timeline of Kalikkalam with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

Kalikkalam Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kalikkalam

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Kalikkalam. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in Kalikkalam

More About Kalikkalam

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about Kalikkalam: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About Kalikkalam

Similar Movies to Kalikkalam

Discover movies like Kalikkalam that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.