Varnam

Haridas (Jayaram) moves to Trivandrum for a government job arranged by a local politician. He is provided accommodation by a retired major (Thilakan), a friend of his father, at his house. Haridas gets cheated by the politician and ends up working odd jobs to make ends meet. He initially shares his situation only with the major's daughter (Ranjini) towards whom he starts to grow romantic feelings. Eventually the major comes to know about his job and helps him out to get an alternate one. Meanwhile, Haridas realises that his original government job is now occupied by an old-time adversary Manu (Suresh Gopi), with whom he gets into multiple altercations.

Directed by Ashokan, Varnam leans on a strong ensemble — Jayaram, Suresh Gopi, Ranjini — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about thriller titles of 1989.