No: 20 Madras Mail

One of those movies aimed solely at entertaining the viewers. No. 20 not only has a fair share of comedy but also sustains the suspense through.

Mohanlal and two friends are a group of moneyed vagabonds who get trapped in a murder that takes place on the train from Trivandrum to Madras. How they manage to prove themselves innocent and also identify the murderer forms the crux of this movie. Mammooty makes an appearance as himself (the star) and helps the three prove their innocence. Mammooty's role is a highlight of the movie along with Lal's effortless comedy track. Watch out for the scene where Lal tells an enraged Soman that he was only asking Soman's daughter what brand of soap she uses.

Acting-wise there is nothing extraordinary in the film, since it relies on slapstick humor and a fast paced story. The music is also regular stuff and nothing special. Commercially the movie was very successful and added to Lal's start value.

Watch it when you are in the mood for entertainment.

This is one of the few movies that serve as a guilty pleasure for the 80s kids. I really miss this kind of cinema nowadays - Malayalam does churn out some great movies these days. But this is the kind of cinema that infuses nostalgia in you.

Great story, screenplay by the ever-great DENNIS JOSEPH. Directed by the ever reliable JOSHI. And, what a star cast, MOHANLAL leads the way along with MG. SOMAN, JAYABARATHI, INNOCENT, JAGATHY, RAJU, JAGADISH, SUMALATHA, ASHOKAN, SUCHITRA (in her debut) and MAMMOOTY (you know it was coming).

Watch it, anyday.