Mrugaya (English: The Hunt) is a 1989 Malayalam drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by I. V. Sasi. The film stars Mammootty and Sunitha in the lead role, with Thilakan, Jagathy Sreekumar, Lalu Alex and Urvashi in supporting roles. It tells the story of Varunni (Mammootty), the uncultured and drunkard hunter who arrives in the village to kill a man-eating leopard. The film won two Kerala State Film Awards. The leopard, used in a number of scenes in the film, was lent by animal trainer Govindarajan Naidu. Sasi had said that, the climax fight scene with leopard was done by Mammootty without dupes.

Mammootty Mrugaya become biggest blockbuster and character Varunni become cult status and Mammootty different look and natural acting help the successMammooty reprises his iconic role as Varunni emerging from the reservoir through flashback scenes in the 1999 Malayalam film My Dear Karadi, which is imitated by his onscreen younger brother Kittunni (Prem Kumar).