What is "yavanika"

Yavanika is a 1982 Indian Malayalam mystery thriller film co-written and directed by K. G. George and starring Bharath Gopi, Mammootty and Jalaja. The film explores backstage drama of a travelling drama group. The plot is structured around the search for an unpopular tabla player of the troupe who suddenly disappears.

The film received wide critical acclaim and some critics even consider it as one of the greatest mystery thrillers ever made. It stands out as an aesthetic and commercially successful film of the 1980s. It won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film. It was one of the first notable films of Mammootty. He won the Kerala Film Critics Awards for Best Supporting Actor, for his portrayal of Circle Inspector Jacob Eeraly. Thilakan established himself as an actor and got his first state award in 1982 for his role as Manager Vakkachan.