Lion 2006

Balagangadhara Menon, Kalasala Babu, the influential Education Minister, presides over a multi-generational political household that blends public duty with private ambition. He lives with his son B.Krishnakumar a.k.a. Unni, Dileep; his wife Lakshmi, Shobha Mohan; three daughters, and two sons-in-law, Pavithran, Saikumar and Gopinath, Shammi Thilakan as a trusted IAS officer, along with his loyal P.A. Joseph, Jagathy Sreekumar. Menon’s fondness for his sons-in-law masks a deeper fixation on consolidating power, and he frequently tries to steer his son and allies to shield or advance corrupt activities. He schemes to push for the Chief Minister’s chair by raising college fees and shifting blame onto Avarachan, the honest, current CM, P Sreekumar. This political maneuvering triggers widespread protests and a merciless tug-of-war over who truly controls the state.

Into this storm arrives Sharika, known as Shari, Kavya Madhavan, and her mother Devaki, Bindu Panicker, who come to Menon’s home when Shari secures a temporary teaching post in the area. The two women carry memories of a former servant relationship with Menon, and their presence rekindles old tensions rooted in a childish love affair between Unni and Shari. Shari quickly becomes embroiled in a public Drinking Water Case, seeking Menon’s help, while her determination grows as she and Unni take matters beyond the walls of the house. When Menon proves unreliable, they turn to the Collector’s office, but face resistance there as well, prompting them to pursue legal channels and public discourse to block the case.

Parallel to this, Unni’s younger sister Meenakshi falls for Prasad, a simple schoolteacher. Unni’s family disapproves, and Menon’s henchmen threaten Prasad, while Unni is unjustly imprisoned in a case that lacks merit. Meenakshi’s hopes ride on an escape from the political stranglehold that would force her into an arranged marriage with ASP Harshan, Riyaz Khan, a move designed to consolidate power and assets for Menon’s faction. After a period of rising tension, Unni is released, and Shari discovers a crucial clue—a cellphone belonging to Prasad’s killer. She and Unni bring this evidence to CI Vijayan, Vijayaraghavan, who helps secure the arrest of the murderer. In a broader sweep, Menon is implicated by this turn of events, but the case also becomes a political weapon against the CM, who confronts the Governor in a bid to dissolve the assembly.

The Governor indeed moves to dissolve the assembly, leading to a fresh general election. The party initially contemplates nominating Krishnakumar, Unni’s brother, as the candidate, but Menon persuades the party to nominate him later, pushing Krishnakumar to run as an Independent. Krishnakumar, whose real name is B.Krishnakumar, Dileep challenges the established order by exposing the corruption of his opponents and generously donating money and proceeds from Vendor Chandy and other businessmen as charitable acts. He narrowly wins the election, securing a majority for his new coalition, and the moment signals a fresh start for the state’s governance.

In the aftermath, Krishnakumar’s ascent continues as he brings a raft of reforms to the fore. He leverages his position to dismantle many corrupt networks with the help of the police, and he targets high-powered politicians who have hidden black money. He even transfers Harshan away to Bihar to curb any leverage Harshan might hold. Thomman Chacko, Innocent, the former political figure, is pressured to relinquish power, and Krishnakumar’s cabinet takes shape under a new stewardship. Krishnakumar also secures a personal triumph when he convinces Shari to marry him; they promptly register their marriage, an act that infuriates Menon and prompts him to restrict their access to the minister’s official residence.

Pavithran continues his attempts to dispose of Unni by any means, but Menon’s character matures as he privately seeks reconciliation with Unni and Shari, even planning a public press conference to reveal his own corruptions. Pavithran learns that his illicit wealth would significantly disappear if Menon turned over a new leaf, and he consequently orders Menon’s murder, staging it as a lorry accident. Fate, however, is not so easily fooled: P.A. Joseph, Menon’s aide, survives the crash and later informs Krishnakumar about the ruse. Pavithran’s wife reveals overheard plans to Krishnakumar and the authorities, forcing Pavithran to flee—only to be confronted by Krishnakumar and the police. In a climactic confrontation, Krishnakumar kills Pavithran using a gun supplied by CI Vijayan, but the legal process ultimately closes the case, with the authorities urging Krishnakumar to move forward rather than dwell on revenge.

The film closes on a hopeful note: Krishnakumar is celebrated by the former CM Avarachan, acknowledging his transformation from a politician into a statesman who governs with integrity. The new administration under Krishnakumar’s leadership commits to a broader vision—where leadership is defined by action and service, not by position. The closing message, echoed in Krishnakumar’s ascent and the reinvigoration of governance, emphasizes a future where incorruptible leadership guides the state toward legitimate progress and accountability: “Leadership is action and not position.”