Red Chillies (film)

As part of the disinvestment policy of the Union Cabinet, Hindustan Artillery Limited, a public sector undertaking which manufacturers pistols and rifles for the Indian Armed Forces starts to float their shares. O.M.R Group, an oil business conglomerate based in Singapore owned by O.M.R (Mohanlal) purchases 40% of the shares. Citing threat to national security a mass and indefinite strike is organised by the labourers of H.A.L against the deal. The strike is led by veteran Communist leader Comrade Mani Varghese (Thilakan) who is greatly admired and has a huge following. Though labelled as a nemesis of innovative developmental projects, Comrade Mani is aware about the interests, intentions and unscrupulous nature of corporate houses.

Another business group in Kochi led by Franco Alangadan (Hareesh Peradi), in partnership with an unknown powerful individual plans strategies to thwart the deal by any means. On New Year's Eve, Comrade Mani instructs Com.Surendran (Jagadeesh) to post a confidential letter and goes to the make shift strike shed in order to sleep with the aggrieved labourers. Things take a violent turn when radio jockeys of O.M.R F.M are suspected of murdering Ricky and a brutal hit and run on the labourers striking in front of the H.A.L company at midnight. Com rade Mani and several other labourers are killed in the accident. Investigation is handled by Vyasan (Siddique) and Stalin Mani (Biju Menon), son of Mani Varghese. And, he is at the verge of an emotional outburst. Stalin contends that O.M.R arranged for the killings and nabs the evading radio jockeys from Tamil Nadu.

O.M.R being a lawyer himself, appears for the radio jockeys and proves their innocence at the Court. Post, the almost acquittal of the F.M Jockeys (Seeking a remand instead, to safeguard their lives from the still unknown adversary) O.M.R visits his 'Madom'. Unbeknownst to the society, O.M.R was the progeny of a yesteryear renowned scientist (Nedumudi Venu), who worked with the ISRO. He committed suicide out of lose of honour and public humiliation when a false and grave charge of espionage was charged on him. Ramnathan is still haunted by those agonizing memories (including the suicide of both his sisters)

After further developments and the interrogation of Franco, O.M.R realises that Stalin is the main conspirator. In spite of being an I.P.S officer, Stalin amassed wealth through illegal land deals and he is revealed to be the secret business partner of Franco. Comrade Mani was aware of his son's corrupt nature and had gathered incriminating evidences him. Comrade Mani had confronted his son and informed him about the initiation of a vigilance investigation and his decision to notify his misdeeds to his close friend, the Chief Minister. The letter handed over to Comrade Surendran contained a request by Comrade Mani to the Chief Minister to dismiss Stalin from service and to take stern action against him. After the revelations, Stalin is disavowed by his mother (Sukumari) and arrested by Vyasan and the team.

The film introduced several newcomers in the cast.[2] Singer Renjini Jose debuted as an actress, beside singing two songs in the film with one featuring herself.[3]

The film features two songs composed by M. Jayachandran, with lyrics by Gireesh Puthenchery. The background score was composed by C. Rajamani.

Red Chillies was released in Kerala on 14 February 2009 on Valentine's Day.[4] It opened in 80 screens across Kerala.[5] The Indian Express critic described the film as "stylish and slick".[6] The film was a moderate success at the box office with highest opening at that time.[7]

• Red Chillies at IMDb