
About the Movie
Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji is a celebrated 1994 Malayalam comedy film that tells the entertaining story of identity swapping and cultural confusion. Directed by Thulasidas with screenplay and dialogue by Rajan Kiriyath and Vinu Kiriyath from a story by Babu G. Nair, the film stars Mukesh, Siddique, Madhu, Jagathy Sreekumar, and Narendra Prasad in pivotal roles. The movie’s music was composed by the legendary Johnson, who was regarded as one of the finest composers in Malayalam cinema. The film gained such popularity that it was later remade in Tamil as Raman Abdullah (1997) and in Telugu as Golmaal (2003).
The plot revolves around Kunjalikutty (played by Siddique), a young Muslim man who receives both a visa to Dubai and a job offer at a school in Malappuram managed by his father’s friend, Malappuram Hajiyar. When his father refuses to let him go to Dubai and insists he take the teaching position instead, Kunjalikutty devises a plan to send his friend Joji (Mukesh), a handsome and well-educated Hindu, to impersonate him at the school while he secretly travels to Dubai. However, complications arise when Malappuram Hajiyar, portrayed by veteran actor Madhu, proves to be a strict and religious man with zero tolerance for deception. Joji must carefully conceal his true identity while navigating his new role as a teacher, leading to a series of hilarious situations, particularly with his suspicious colleague Aliyar (Jagathy Sreekumar) who becomes increasingly doubtful about Joji’s true identity.
The film’s enduring appeal lies in its masterful blend of comedy and social commentary, exploring themes of religious tolerance, friendship, and identity while maintaining a light-hearted tone throughout its 2 hours and 20 minutes runtime. The stellar performances by the ensemble cast, particularly Mukesh’s portrayal of the conflicted Joji and Jagathy Sreekumar’s comedic timing as the suspicious Aliyar, contributed significantly to the film’s success. The movie’s popularity was so substantial that there were even plans for a sequel announced in 2010, with the original writers and director expressing interest in reuniting the cast. Malappuram Haji Mahanaya Joji remains a beloved classic in Malayalam cinema, representing the golden era of Malayalam comedy films.
Cast
Mukesh
Joji
Siddique
Kunjalikkutty
Madhu
Hajiyar
Maathu
Gouri
Narendra Prasad
Kuruppu
Malappuram Haji Mahanaayajoji: Watch Full Movie