Yathra (transl. The Journey) is a 1985 Indian Malayalam-language romantic drama film written and directed by Balu Mahendra. The film stars Mammootty and Shobana, while Adoor Bhasi, Thilakan and Alummoodan play supporting roles. The film tells a fictional story but is built upon the human rights violations by the police and the prison authorities in India during the emergency of 1975–1977, when the fundamental rights of the citizens were suspended. It is an adaptation of the 1977 Japanese classic The Yellow Handkerchief.The film was produced by Joseph Abraham under the banner Prakkattu Films. The film was his third production venture, the others being Olangal and Oomakkuyil. The film features original songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by P. Bhaskaran and O. N. V. Kurup. The cinematography of the film was done by Balu Mahendra himself, while the editing was done by D. Vasu.Yathra was released on 20 September 1985 and received critical acclaim. It was a box office success and had a theatrical run of over a year. The film won three Kerala State Film Awards: Best Film with Popular Appeal and Aesthetic Value, Best Director for Balu Mahendra and the Special Jury Award for Mammootty. Shobana was nominated for Best Actress category at the Filmfare Awards South. Thilakhan also won the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Second Best Actor. The film was remade by Balu Mahendra in Telugu as Nireekshana (1986) and in Tamil as Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam (2005).