Mrugaya (English: The Hunt) is a 1989 Indian thriller drama film written by A. K. Lohithadas and directed by I. V. Sasi.

It tells the story of Varunni (Mammootty), the uncultured and drunkard hunter, who arrives in the village to kill a man-eating leopard.

[1] The leopard, used in a number of scenes in the film, was lent by animal trainer Govindarajan Naidu.

[3] Mammooty 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).

The story takes place in a Highrange village, terrorised by the frequent attacks of a man-eating leopard.

Tired of waiting for help from the authorities, the villagers under Reverend Father Panangodan and Philipose Muthalali decide to hire a hunter.

Varunni feels responsible for the death of Thomaskutty and confesses secretly to Father Panangodan.

The preparations for the betrothal of Thomaskutty's sister, Annamma, go on but the groom fails to show up at the function.