Thulabharam

Thulabharam is a 1968 Malayalam film, directed by A. Vincent. It is the film adaptation of a Kerala People's Arts Club play written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast, featuring the likes of Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. Following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil, Telugu (Manushulu Marali) and Hindi (Samaj Ko Badal Dalo) with Sharada playing lead roles in all the versions.

Two close friends,Vijaya (Sharada) and Vatsala (Sheela) had to part ways after Vatsala's father, a lawyer loses a case of Vijaya's father and it results in the latter's death. Vijaya gets married to Ramu (Prem Nazir), a trade union leader against her will. Ramu leads a union strike and is killed when the agitation turns violent. Vijaya's life becomes miserable and she kills her starving children, but she is arrested before being able to commit suicide. In the end, she is given death penalty by the prosecution, led by her former dear friend Vatsala, who had become a famous lawyer in the meantime.

The music was composed by G. Devarajan and lyrics was written by Vayalar Ramavarma.

The film's success prompted for three remakes with Sharada playing the same role in all versions. The Tamil film with the same name was made by Vincent himself with A. V. M. Rajan replacing Nazir. V. Madhusudhan Rao directed the Telugu and Hindi versions.