Swaham

Swaham (English: My Own) is a 1994 Indian Malayalam-language drama film produced, co-written and directed by Shaji N. Karun. The film stars Ashwini, Venumani Vishnu, and Mullenezhi. The film's music was composed by Isaac Thomas Kottukapally and K. Raghavan. Swaham met with widespread critical acclaim upon release. The film was screened at the 1994 Cannes Film Festival, where it competed for the Palme d'Or.

Plot
Annapoorna lives with her son and daughter, and struggles to get by, trying to earn a living from the teashop near a railway station once owned by her now deceased husband. Her son Kannan does whatever he can to help whilst trying to continue his education, but this proves difficult and he fails his exams. His mother decides to send him to a military recruitment camp, hoping he will find employment. This seems to be the family's only hope, but this option is expensive. Eventually Kannan is admitted after Annapoorna pays a hefty sum to a man associated with the camp. Later, Kannan is killed in a stampede at the camp, and his bereaved mother brings his body back home in an ambulance. Annapoorna's daughter waits anxiously for the return of her mother and brother.

Cast

 * Ashwini
 * Kalamandalam Haridas
 * Bharath Gopi
 * Praseetha
 * Mullenezhi
 * Sarath das
 * Venmani Vishnu
 * Gopalakrishnan

Awards and nominations
The film has won and been nominated for the following awards since its release:

1995 Bergamo Film Meeting (Italy)
 * Won - Bronze Rosa Camuna - Shaji N. Karun

1994 Cannes Film Festival (France)
 * Nominated - Palme d'Or - Shaji N. Karun

1995 National Film Awards (India)
 * Won - Silver Lotus Award - Special Jury Award - Director - Shaji N. Karun

1995 Kerala State Film Awards (India)
 * Won - Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film

1995 Innsbruck Film Festival (Austria)
 * Won - Best Film - Swam - Shaji N. Karun