Nandanam () is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic film written, co-produced, and directed by Ranjith, it stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Revathi, Navya Nair, Aravind Akash, Siddique, and Sai Kumar in main roles. K. J. Yesudas and Sudheesh makes a Cameo Appearance. The film won four Kerala State Film Awards and two Filmfare Awards South. The film also marks the debut of Prithiviraj Sukumaran.
Plot
Balamani is an orphan who works as a maid to Unniamma, the aging matriarch of the Ambalappattil family, and stays with her in the large mansion. She has a picture of Guruvayerappan in her room, in front of which she lights a lamp everyday and she talks to Lord Krishna as though talking to a friend. Though an ardent devotee of Lord Guruvayurappan (Lord Krishna), Balamani never gets to go to the sacred temple even though the temple is very close to the house. Every time she plans to go, something goes wrong. It is said that no one can visit Guruvayur until Lord Krishna decides to let you. This leaves Balamani wondering if she God doesn't want her to go. She likes the company and the love of Unniamma who treats her like a granddaughter. She is also friendly with her neighbour a lady named Janaki. Janaki tells her that her son Unnikrishnan will return to the village. Balamani says that she will meet him but she soon forgets due to all the work she has.
One day, Unniamma's grandson Manu reaches Ambalappattil to spend time with his grandmother. Manu is raised by a single loving mother who is still in the US. Bala recognizes him from a dream she had where she marries him in front of Guruvayur temple. He begins to have affection towards Bala which she reciprocates. But she tells him that people won't accept their match as he belongs to a highly regarded family and she is a servant. Soon, Manu's mother/Unniamma's daughter Thankam comes back from the US. She plans on getting Manu married before he leaves for US as she will not be returning with him. She already fixes his wedding with a girl. She takes an instant liking to Bala but doesn't know about Manu and Bala and Bala asks him to Manu to keep it that way as she doesn't have heart to break Unniamma'a and Thankam's. During all of this, Bala meets a boy who introduces himself Unnikrishnan and she remembers that Janaki had told him that her son will soon return and a friendship forms between the two of them and she refers to him as Unniettan. Unni is very mesmerizing always supports Bala. Soon, Manu's marriage date is fixed. Thankam learns about Manu and Balamani and asks her son why he didn't tell her earlier. When he says that he didn't want to break her heart and that she always does the right thing for him she tells him that the only thing that could break her heart is to see him sad. She apologises to Manu and Bala saying that it is too late to call off the wedding. Bala meets Unni and tells him that God is hurting her even though she always believed in him and doesn't expect anything. Unni replies with a smile that she shouldn't lose faith and that everything will work out well. All the relatives arrive at Ambalapattil the next day and the marriage preparations commence. But on the day of the marriage the bride runs away. Chaos ensues. Thankam suggests that they get Manu and Bala married but the family and relatives oppose. Everyone forces Bala to leave but as she is leaving Unniamma stops her, and tells all the relatives that they are both good children as they thought about the people they cared before making any decision in their own favour. She tells everyone that if Manu and Bala mutually like each other no one is allowed to stop them from uniting and if anyone stops they have to first face Ambalappatil Unniamma. She tries to go to Guruvayur one last time before they leave for US they can't as it is sealed because some celebrity is arriving. She also goes to meet Unniettan but is surprised when someone else turns up intead of the Unniettan she knows. Realization hits her and she runs to the temple with Manu and they manage convince the police to let the first barricade. There she sees the Unniettan she knows near the main temple who smiles at her and disappears and she realizes that God had been with her all along in the form of a friend.