Panchavadi Palam (1984)

Embedded with deep insight and satirical comedy, this political drama delves into the utter selfishness and corruption that seems to be rampant in Indian politics, through the story of Dussasana Kuruppu (Bharath Gopi), who is the president of a village. Although he's seemingly all-powerful, Dussasana Kuruppu is actually enslaved by his wily right-hand-man Sikhandi Pillai (Nedumudi Venu), whose clever strategies and crooked plans he merely implements. Sikhandi Pillai's latest contrivance is to incite Dussasana Kuruppu to try and get his name attached to a new bridge, even if that means destroying another, perfectly serviceable bridge. He, along with his other members tries to demolish the bridge while the opposition leader Ishak Tharakan (Thilakan) makes moves to thwart this and to capture the position of the village presidency. Deciding on a mutually profitable compromise, both groups agree to relocate the bridge to a distant location so that not only a new bridge, but a new road would also have to be constructed in order to reach the bridge. The two tenders, one for the bridge and one for the road are given to two local contractors, one belonging to the ruling party while the other is supported by the opposition. Ultimately the bridge is built and opened to public on the same day of the marriage of Dussasana Kurup's daughter and the bridge contractor. The marriage function is attended by many including the minister of state for public works. Will the new bridge turn out to be a success, and a beacon of future prosperity for the village?