THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After 28 years, as the court delivers a verdict that Sister Abhaya was murdered, 21 years ago, the movie 'Crime File' directed by K. Madhu also comes to the mind of Malayalis. In the movie where Sister Amala is killed, a priest plays the role of a villain for half of the movie. As the audience thinks that the movie has similar happenings as in the Sister Abhaya case, another villain appears in the latter half.

Most of the characters in the film were created in a way that resembles some related to the Abhaya case. Sister Amala played by Sangeetha, Fr Clement Kaaliyar portrayed by Vijayaraghavan, SP Anwar Rauthar performed by Siddique, CI Jamal performed by Cochin Hanifa, Minister Thomas played by Rizabawa and Sister Fisto performed by Seenath were similar to the persons in real life.

Sister Amala is shown as a lawyer. Father Clement feared that legal action would be taken against him. Meanwhile, Amala was found dead in a well. The film then progresses through a series of incidents, including an investigation, an attempt to destroy evidence, and the transfer of the investigating officer. All events are reminiscent of the Abhaya case.

But the climax underlines that this was just a movie case. Investigating officer Palakkal Easo Panicker (Suresh Gopi) proves that the culprit is Kaliyar Pathrose, played by Janardhanan instead of Clement Kaliyar.

K Madhu used to make most of his films on a single schedule. But it took six schedules for him to complete Crime File. It was difficult to get to the church and cemetery for the shooting. The shooting happened after handed over information about scenes intended to be filmed at the church to the authorities. The movie was released on October 25. Priests and others came to see the first show.

When AK Sajan and AK Santhosh explained the story, K Madhu told them that the real angle of the film should be different. The film was taken as a detective story. Everything else was left to the thought of the audience. Each scene was carefully filmed as the case under consideration by the court.

No one warned against making the film. The villain should be someone unsuspected to be one for the role. For that, Janardhanan, who was shining through in comedy roles at that time, was approached, Madhu said.

I wanted justice for Abhaya. The accused tried to escape but were eventually caught by the CBI, he added.

There were thoughts to make the second part of Crime File but was abandoned. However, he said that a film with Suresh Gopi's character Palakkal Easo Panicker is being considered.