![\"Summer](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/summer-in-bethlehem-jpg.webp.webp\")
Summer in Bethlehem<\/p>\nEntertainment Desk<\/p>\n
Last Updated: 21 Mar 2026, 10:35 am IST<\/p>\n
A deleted scene from \u2018Summer in Bethlehem\u2019 featuring Mohanlal and Manju Warrier has finally been released.<\/p>\n
Summer in Bethlehem<\/p>\n
A long-hidden deleted sequence from the 1998 Malayalam hit \u2018Summer in Bethlehem\u2019 has been released 28 years after the film first reached cinemas. The nine-minute scene was published on YouTube through producer Ziyad Koker\u2019s channel and has immediately sparked fresh discussion among fans.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Deleted footage surfaces after 28 years<\/p>\n
The newly revealed material revisits a key emotional stretch of the film, showing Aami and Dennis returning home after visiting Mohanlal\u2019s character, Niranjan, in prison. It then follows the family persuading Aami, played by Manju Warrier, to continue with her marriage.<\/p>\n
Before Niranjan faces execution, Abhirami is seen tying the thali around Dennis\u2019 neck at Niranjan\u2019s request. After leaving the prison, Dennis recounts the incident to Aami\u2019s family and even offers to remove the thali. But Jayaram\u2019s character and others urge Ami to accept the marriage and move forward.<\/p>\n
The deleted scene culminates with Niranjan appearing once more in a dream-like sequence, telling Ami she should live with Dennis. This material, originally intended to bridge the prison wedding and the film\u2019s climax, was removed due to concerns over pacing and audience engagement.<\/p>\n
Why the director cut the emotional sequence<\/p>\n
Director Sibi Malayil<\/a> has explained that the scenes were designed to provide logical continuity for the sudden prison wedding. However, producer Ziyad Koker advised removing them after early screenings, fearing audiences would lose interest once they realised Mohanlal\u2019s character had died.<\/p>\n Sibi Malayil had earlier said the team feared the emotional ten-minute stretch, which included a second appearance by Mohanlal, might make viewers restless. The crew tested a version of \u2018Summer in Bethlehem\u2019 without the sequence, and despite worries about a noticeable jump cut, the tighter edit played smoothly. Later efforts to restore the footage for re-releases were unsuccessful because a clean negative could not be located.<\/p>\n Fans divided over the new reveal<\/p>\n The release of the deleted scene has led to a flurry of reactions online. Some viewers say the added material gives richer insight into Niranjan\u2019s character, while others feel the heightened melodrama does not align with the film\u2019s tone.<\/p>\n