Kunjikoonan (2002 film)

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Kunjikoonan
VCD cover
Directed bySasi Shanker
Written byBenny P. Nayarambalam
Produced byMilan Jaleel
StarringDileep
Navya Nair
Manya
Cochin Haneefa
Salim Kumar
CinematographySaloo George
Music byMohan Sitara
Release date
  • 11 October 2002 (2002-10-11)
Running time
155 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam
Budget₹1.9 crore[1]

Kunjikoonan (transl. The little hunchback) is a 2002 Indian Malayalam-language romantic comedy film directed by Sasi Shanker and produced by Milan Jaleel. The film's script was written by Benny P. Nayarambalam, based on his own stage play Vikalanga Varsham.[2] The film stars Dileep, Navya Nair and Manya. Dileep plays dual roles in this movie. Dileep won Asianet Film Awards for Best Actor. The film was later remade into different indian Languages such as Odia as Rasika Naagara (2003), Tamil as Perazhagan (2004), in Kannada as Manmatha (2006).

Plot

The story revolves around Vimal Kumar alias Kunjan, a village youth who is sympathized for his hunchback looks but is lauded for selfless service to others. He covers up his handicap with humor. Unmindful of his looks, Vimal goes around seeking a suitable bride, with the help of his friend Thoma. Brushing aside many an insult hurled at him, he carries on. He carried the hardships of his life on his back, the pain of others too. He was of peak human moral, a man of great virtue

In contrast to him is Prasad, a violent college student and a well talented sports player, who loves his classmate Lakshmi. She comes across Vimal, who assures her that he would get her married to the man of her heart, but she is killed in a fracas by a dreaded gangster named Vasu. Prasad gets accused for the murder and is jailed. Vimal saves Prasad by telling Lakshmi's father CI Madhavan that Vasu actually killed her and he was helping them elope and get married. Vasu gets arrested and Prasad gets released. Meanwhile, Vimal comes across an orphaned blind girl, Chembagam. He wins her heart by helping her out.

Thanks to his efforts, Chembagam regains her vision, through Lakshmi's eyes. This results in a tussle between Vimal and Prasad, as to whom Chembagam belongs to now. However, fearing his looks, Vimal, decides to leave way for the other after he sees Prasad and Chembagam together and misunderstands them. Thoma later finds him and tells that Chembagam is waiting for him. They decides to get married, but on the night before their marriage, Vasu comes to Vimal's house to kill him. After he learns that Vimal is going to get married, Vasu tries to rape Chembagam. Vimal saves her, but Vasu tries to kill Vimal. When she runs away, Prasad catches her. When he sees Vasu going to kill Vimal, he saves him by fighting off Vasu and kills him, thereby avenging Lakshmi's death. Prasad approves Kunjan and Chembagam before being sent to jail.

Cast

Production

Filming

The film was mainly shot at various locations in Thodupuzha. It was filmed in 83 days.

Soundtrack

Kunjikoonan
Soundtrack album by
Released2002
Length39:12
LanguageMalayalam
LabelSatyam Audios
Mohan Sithara chronology
Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan
(2002)
Kunjikoonan
(2002)
Pranayamanithooval
(2002)

The songs of this movie was composed by Mohan Sithara and penned by Yusufali Kechery.[3] In 2002 Radhika Thilak received best female playback singer award from Kerala film critics association for the song "Omanamalare Ninmaran".[4][5][6]

All lyrics are written by Yusufali Kechery; all music is composed by Mohan Sithara

No.TitleArtist(s)Length
1."Azhake Varu Nee"Mahadevan4:23
2."Katte Poonkatte"P. Jayachandran5:00
3."Kadanja Chandanamo"K. J. Yesudas4:25
4."Kanne Unaru Nee (Male Version)"K. J. Yesudas5:18
5."Kanne Unaru Nee (Female Version)"Sujatha Mohan5:16
6."Kunjante Penninu (Male Version)"Vidhu Prathap4:46
7."Kunjante Penninu (Female Version)"Jyotsna Radhakrishnan, Hridya Suresh 
8."Omana Malare"Radhika Thilak5:01
Total length:39:12

Reception

A critic from Nowrunning wrote that "Dileep scores again with his new release kunjikoonan. This time he comes in double role, one that of a handicap and has excelled in the role and the other as handsome college boy which is not worth mentioning. Those who expect an entertainer like 'Meesha Madhavan' are likely to be disappointed, at least to some extent".[7] A critic from Sify wrote that "The highlight of the film is Dileep in the title role and he is extraordinary. Here is one of his most lovable performances as the handicap, though as the handsome Prasad he just passes muster.[8]

References

  1. ^ "Kunjikoonan Limps". Rediff.com. 12 May 2007.
  2. ^ "വിജയത്തിന്റെ ഫസ്റ്റ് ബെല്‍, Interview – Mathrubhumi Movies". Mathrubhumi.com. 29 October 2008. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  3. ^ "Kunjikkoonan (2002)". malayalasangeetham.info. Retrieved 17 August 2021.
  4. ^ "Filmmaker Sasi Shankar dies at 58". The Indian Express. 11 August 2016.
  5. ^ "The hunchback of Manmatha". Rediff.com. 12 May 2007.
  6. ^ "Magical makeovers of Mollywood actors". The Times of India. 12 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Kunjikoonan Review | Kunjikoonan Malayalam Movie Review by Vins". 25 September 2002.
  8. ^ "Kunjikoonan". Sify. Archived from the original on 10 April 2022.

External links