Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 16 (IANS) 'Pazhassi Raja', said to be the costliest Malayalam film to date, received an overwhelming response at the box office when released Friday. Superstar Mammootty, who plays the lead in it, is on cloud nine and says this is the 'movie of the century'.

Mammootty on cloud nine and basking in glory told IANS over telephone that this is the cinema of the century.

'My mobile hasn't stopped ringing since morning and each and every caller is as excited as I am. Believe me, this is what inspires me to work harder,' Mammootty, who is shooting for his next film 'Chattambinadu' at Palani, told IANS.

The film has been made at a budget of over Rs.25 crore (Rs.250 million) and has been dubbed in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil.

Mammootty said it was worth waiting for the movie.

'I am of course happy and what made me happier is the fact that people said they felt a sense of patriotism after seeing the film. That is why I feel that this is the cinema of the century,' added the superstar who has had an excellent 2009 year with all his films becoming box office hits.

Expectations were high from 'Pazhassi Raja' because Mammootty, eminent writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair and director Hariharan came together after two decades. Other high points of the film are Illayaraja's music and the sound effects by Oscar winner Resul Pookutty.

The film is set in the 18th century and is about Kerala Varma Pazhassi Raja of the Kottayam royal family. Irked by the revenue policy of East India Company in Malabar, Pazhassi Raja's was one of the first voices to be raised against British rule in India, though not many people are aware of him outside Kerala.

The film's climax has been changed.

'They have changed a bit because originally Pazhassi Raja commits suicide and in the film he is seen falling to the bullet of the British. Overall it has come out well and a must see,' said Aravind Sasi, film critic who saw the first show.