What Sufi Said

The movie directed by veteran film maker Priyanandan,based on the novel written by a well known Malayalam writer Sri.K.P.Ramanunni.





The story of Karthy, a mighty Hindu woman who is supreme in her confidence and in her being. She was brought up under the family rule of her Uncle. Karthy started her struggle in her childhood itself to get out from the traditions and laws which never allow any kind of freedom to the women of the family.Her mother founds it difficult to control her. She met Mamooty, a merchant, belonging to a traditional Muslim family and fall in love with him. She left her home,her traditions and got married with Mamooty and became the first Beevi of the Muslim community.

As time passes, Karthy founds it difficult to escape from her beliefs. She finds it difficult to survive without praying to the goddess. The inter religion marriage creates lot of disconnects in her whole life style


Rejection from his people, violent reaction from the society etc combined with the strong personality of Karthi makes him slave of an inferiority complex. Karthi's confident and sensuous presence take him to the brink of impotency..

He finds the fact that he is inferior to his wife's powerful personality. This feeling made him to start avoiding her. He,offlate tried to find out happiness from uneven sources

Karty became the symbol of the furious goddess Kali. Her grievance grows to revenge.
Many events and diasasters awaited Mamootti and Karthi, the two innocent lovers who dared to follow their heart.. At the end Karthi evolves as a myth, a beevi - amother goddess concept of ponani - who is the rescuer of ponnani people, whom both hindus and muslims pray..


This is an unusual woman centric story. It indirectly points fingers to some hard facts… The message is loud and clear that it is not easy for a person to get away from the habits and traditions,even for the loved ones.

Another Message is that of love and harmony beyond the barriers of traditions and religion. It is how fearless and genuine our ancestors were. How there is a solution to modern day conflicts and violence..

The director,Priyanandan's earlier ventures were based on political issues. This time he has moved from that cult and embraced traditions, culture and history..





Gorgeous Bengali actress Sharabani Mukharji,portrays the character of Karthy,while Prakash Bare,a new hope to Malayalam cinema shoulder the responsibility of Mamooty.


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Some more details about the movie

The film:
Based on the popular Malayalam novel 'Sufi Paranja Katha' (What the Sufi said), which is published in 6 Indian and 2 foreign languages

Screenplay by the Novelist, KP Ramanunni himself, who is one of the most respected literary figures of Kerala today.

Direction by Priyanandanan, the accomplished film maker who has won many accolades including the 54th National award for Best Feature film.

A true indian story which deals with wide range of issues like the Hindu-Muslim common space, religious conversion, human gods, Tipu' march, Sufism, British rule in Malabar etc.

Produced by California based enterpreneurs under the banner of 'Kayal Films'.
The Sufi story takes place during 1850s after the British established their rule in Malabar following Tipu Sultan's invasion. It is a story filled with myth, history, love, passion and spirituality. The plot revolves around the love and marriage of Karthi, a Hindu Nair girl and the central character of the Novel, with Maamooty, a Muslim. In another level the novel is about the transformation of Karthi into a Beevi, a Goddess worshipped alike by the Hindus and the Muslims.


The Novel

First published in Malayalam ,15 years back, in the prestigious Kala Kaumudi weekly with the accompaniment of illustrations by the acclaimed cartoonist Namboodiri

One of the most discussed and widely translated literary work in the last two decades,. Sufi now narrates in Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, Konkani, Bengali, English, and French.

Sufi has won several awards including Kerala Sahithya Academy Award, and Edasseri Award.

Sufi has been part of teaching material for multiple generations of malayalam language students.

The Novelist





KP Ramanuni is one of the most prominent among the current generation Malayalam novelists. 'Sufi Paranja Katha' is Ramanunni's first novel for which he won the prestigious Kerala Sahithya Academy Award and Edasseri Award. His major works include Charamavarshikam and Jeevithathinte Pusthakam.

KP Ramanunni has also won several other recognitions for his contributions towards Malayalam Literature:

V.P. Sivakumar Smaraka Keli Award,
Rashtriya Sahityik Puraskar, Katha Award
Padmarajan Puraskaram, Abudhabi Shakti Award,
Bahrain Keraleeya Samajam Award, and A.P. Kakkad Award.

The director





Priyanandanan has established himself as a master film maker in Malayalam in a short span of time. Both his movies, Neythukaran and Pulijanmam, have won several awards for direction, acting and the overall film making. Pulijanmam (2007) won the 54th National Award for Best Malayalam feature film.

Priyan has been very active in the theater space for more than two decades. He has won several best actor awards and has directed several award winning plays. He has also directed several documentaries and short films. The recognition his films received include:

Neythukaran - Kerala State Best debut director award, National Best Actor Award for Murali, National II Best Actress Award for Sona Nair, Doha Malayalam Film Festival Best Film Award, Doha Malayalam Film Festival Best Film.




Pulijanmam - The movie connects the story of mythical Kari gurukkal to the life of recent times village man Prakasan and the conflicts of his beliefs and idologies.