Lelam

Lelam

Year: 1997

Runtime: 180 mins

Language: Malayalam

Director: Joshiy

Action

A fierce rivalry erupts between two powerful liquor‑distribution dynasties in Kerala—the Anakkattil family and the Kadayadi family. When the Anakkattils’ dominance is threatened, their formidable heir Chackochi battles relentlessly to preserve his family’s control of the trade.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Lelam (1997)

Trace every key event in Lelam (1997) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Chackochi and Sunny travel to Pollachi to meet Veerapandi Thevar

Chackochi and Sunny travel to Pollachi to negotiate with Andipetti Veerapandi Thevar, who runs a spirit business. They hope Thevar's backing will secure their interests, and Thevar agrees to help after recognizing that Chackochi is Eappachan's son.

early Pollachi
2

Thevar commits to backing Chackochi

Thevar, impressed by Chackochi's lineage, pledges support for their venture. His backing signals a sign of shifting alliances in the liquor business.

shortly after meeting Pollachi
3

Checkpost interception on the return trip

On the way back to Kerala, Chackochi and Sunny are stopped at a police checkpost by John Maruthanayagam, a former army colleague. The cop helps them proceed and guides them home.

on the road back checkpost
4

Chackochi's family business and Eappachan's empire

Back home, Chackochi learns that his father Anakattil Eappachan is a legendary liquor baron with a near-monopoly over Pathanamthitta and Kottayam. The film sketches the scale of his empire and the pressure from rivals.

Pathanamthitta/Kottayam
5

Rivals emerge: K.K Group and Kunnel clan

Eappachan's principal rivals, the K.K Group led by Kadayadi siblings and their Kunnel partners, push to erode his dominance. The network also includes Kadayadi Mathachan and his sons Outha and Chandi to challenge Eappachan.

Pathanamthitta/Kottayam
6

Chackochi's personal life and Gowri Parvathi

Chackochi enjoys life as a planter with friends Hussein and Oommachan and maintains a romance with Gowri Parvathi, a royal lineage woman who is also a RDO officer. This personal thread intersects with the business feud.

Kerala
7

Baby's ambush and Eappachan's murder

Vying for control, the rival coalition collaborates with Balakrishnan and Kattithara Paappi. Baby ambushes and fatally stabs Eappachan from behind during a confrontation.

night Eappachan's home
8

Chackochi takes charge and opens the investigation

Chackochi is forced to take control of the business and confront the mounting pressure from cops and rivals. He also begins to investigate the murder, as Jayasimhan—a police investigator—is revealed to be part of the Kadayadi syndicate.

home/police
9

Public suspect and bail; Chackochi contemplates strategy

The police present Keeri Vasavan as a suspect, but he is bailed due to lack of evidence. Chackochi grows suspicious of the Kadayadi and Kunnel families and starts planning to hand the liquor business to his trusted employees.

courtroom/police
10

Sunny's betrayal; pre-auction shift

A day before the spirit auction, Sunny switches sides and aligns with the Kadayadi group. He secretly sells Hussein into their custody, escalating the pressure on Chackochi.

day before auction
11

Rescue of Hussein and the first major confrontation

Chackochi tracks Hussein down to save him, but discovers Sunny among their enemies. A fierce confrontation ensues; Thampi and Sunny are killed as Chackochi and allies push back.

after betrayal unknown
12

Battle with the K.K Group lieutenants

Chackochi defeats Kadayadi Raghavan, Kunnel Mathachan and Kunnel Outha in brutal hand-to-hand fights. Hussein's intervention leads to Outha's death.

battle site
13

Gowri's intervention, Baby's deadly move

As Baby moves to finish Chackochi, Gowri Parvathi interposes to stop him. Baby shoots Gowri and Chackochi, provoking Chackochi into a rage and prompting him to hurl Baby aside.

courtyard/battle site
14

Raghavan's death and the fire begins

During the chaos, Raghavan catches fire and dies as the confrontation spirals toward a blaze. The explosion of liquor stock follows, threatening everyone present.

liquor warehouse
15

Escape and aftermath

Baby is killed in the blaze as the liquor factory erupts, but Chackochi, Hussein, Gowri Parvathi and Ommen escape with their lives. The film ends with them surviving and moving on, leaving the empire's fate unresolved.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 11:13

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