3 weeks ago
Sreenivasan recalls envy, first dance on Nadodikkattu shoot
Many years ago, a funny movie called Nadodikkattu became very popular in Kerala, India.
It tells the story of two friends who try to go to Dubai to get rich, but instead end up in Chennai.
The movie was written by a very talented man named Sreenivasan, who also acted in it.
In one dream scene, his character and his friend, played by the famous actor Mohanlal, dance on a beach.
There was one big problem: Sreenivasan had never danced before in his whole life!
He was so scared that his legs shook, and he wished the beach would open up and swallow him.
The director made him dance anyway, even though Sreenivasan asked to just stand and watch.
Mohanlal danced beautifully and easily, which made Sreenivasan feel a little jealous — he joked that he felt like slapping him.
Sreenivasan still finds that song hard to watch and turns off the television when it plays.
Even so, the movie and its songs are still loved by people today.
Sreenivasan said filming the dream-sequence song 'Karakaanaa Kadalala Mele' from Nadodikkattu (1987) was his first time dancing.
He recalled his legs shaking and wishing the beach would swallow him when he learned he had to dance alongside Mohanlal.
Director Sathyan Anthikad refused Sreenivasan's request to let his character just watch, insisting he dance in the shared dream.
Sreenivasan joked he felt like slapping Mohanlal, who practised the steps effortlessly and impressed everyone on the set.
The sequence was shot at night on Madras' Marina Beach, and Sreenivasan still turns off the TV when the song comes on.
- Who
- Actor-screenwriter Sreenivasan and superstar Mohanlal, with director Sathyan Anthikad.
- What
- Sreenivasan recalled his nerve-wracking first-ever dance for the Nadodikkattu song 'Karakaanaa Kadalala Mele' and his envy of Mohanlal's effortless dancing.
- Where
- Marina Beach in Madras (now Chennai).
- When
- During the filming of the 1987 film Nadodikkattu; the recollection was shared years later on a Kairali TV talk show.
- Why
- Sreenivasan, who had never danced before, was forced to dance alongside Mohanlal, who impressed everyone with ease.
Key facts
- Film
- Nadodikkattu (1987)
- Director
- Sathyan Anthikad
- Screenplay
- Sreenivasan (story by Siddique-Lal)
- Song
- Karakaanaa Kadalala Mele
- Singers
- KJ Yesudas and CO Anto
- Shooting location
- Marina Beach, Madras (now Chennai)
- Lead cast
- Mohanlal, Sreenivasan, Shobana, Thilakan
- Sreenivasan's death
- December 20, 2025
Quotes
Sreenivasan
Malayalam actor‑screenwriter known for his work with Mohanlal
“I wished the beach would open up and swallow me.”
indianexpress.com
“I felt like slapping him in the face.”
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