It wasn't Bhagyalakshmi who dubbed for classic character Nagavalli in Manichitrathazhu, director Fazil reveals

Director Fazil's 1993 hit movie "Manichitrathazhu" is one of the best movies ever made in Malayalam and remains the favourite of many even after 23 years of its release. The movie, starring Suresh Gopi, Mohanlal and Sobhana in the lead, won many accolades and is tagged as one of the best psycho-thrillers in Malayalam.

Actress Sobhana, who had a remarkable performance in the movie as Ganga and Nagavalli, won the National Award and Kerala State Film Award for the best actress for her performance in "Manichitrathazhu". Even her Nagavalli dialogue "Vidamaatu? Vidamaatu? Apo ne enne ingenue engeyum poka vidamaatu? Ayogya naaye, unakk elavu dairyam irindha, ipo en kanmunnadi vannu nilke, innek durgashtami, unne naan konnu un rakthathil kudich naan omkara nadanamiduve" is one of the most popular dailogues in the movie.

Read more: Dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi breaks her silence on Nagavalli controversy

For the past 23 years, audience thought that it was dubbing artist Bhagyalakshmi, who lent her voice for the characters of Ganga and Nagavalli. Now, the film's director has come forward claiming that even though Bhagyalakshmi gave her voice for the character Ganga, Sobhana's role as Nagavalli lived through Tamil dubbing artist Durga's voice. Fazil admits that he forgot to let others know about it for the past many years and added that even Bhagyalakshmi was not aware of it.

The director has now revealed the person behind the voice of Nagavalli through a write up "Ormapookal" for Malayalam magazine Manorama weekly.

"Bhagyalakshmi dubbed for Sobhana's character Ganga in the movie Manichitrathazhu, and it was she who lent her voice to the character Nagavalli initially. But later Shekhar sir and others noticed the similarity in the voice of Ganga and Nagavalli. So, the part of Nagavalli was later dubbed by Tamil dubbing artist Durga. However, we forgot to inform it to Bhagylakshmi then and for years she believed she gave voice-over for the hit dialogue," writes Fazil (translated from Malayalam).

Durga has also now come forward expressing her happiness upon getting recognition for her work after 23 years. "I was very disappointed about it all these years and now I feel so happy," Durga said on Radio Mango 91.9.

Watch the popular Nagavalli scene from the movie "Manichitrathazhu" below:

Watch Bhagyalakshmi performing the popular scene during a show below:

Listen to the words of Durga upon getting recognition about her work below: