A great story never dies. May be the author don't get the full credit for the story. I believe even when a story inspires new stories, it is a kind of recognition. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a one such novel which stands tall from foregone century and the light still passes through era. It will be so in the years to come where humanity exists. There had an earlier film in Malayalam, called 'Ezhu Rathrikal'. It was inspired from a drama written by Kaldy Gopi. Before leaving for my exile, I acted as the Hunchback in that play and Kunjikoonan reminds me of my theatre days, though it only lasted few months. The story of Kunjikoonan is inspired by Ezhu Rathrikal which originally is inspired by The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo.
Kunjian (Dileep) is not only a hunchback but polio affected too. His hair looks odd, so is his tooth. He is a warehouse of disability. This makes him a poor soul, unlike the macho Hunchback of Notre Dame. He is in search of marriage and due to the physical appearance, no girl likes him. Arrives Lakshmi (Navya Nair) who is blind. Knowing that Lakshmi cannot see him, Kunjan somehow succeed in impressing her. One Free medical camp in the area changed the entire situation where Lakshmi is been selected for the free operation and doctors are hopeful of she getting eye sight. Whose eye the girls gets and how that becomes a villain to take the story further is for you to watch on screen.
It is a kind of formula film which used to come in frequent intervals and go away with some sort of success. Physical disabilities always bring sympathy of the audience and when films of this genre appear audience accepts. For the merit of Kunjikoonan, the treatment of the movie was light, unlike its inspiration, 'Ezhu Rathrikal or of the same genre, Vasanthiyum Lakshmiyum Pinne Njanum. The director made sure that the movie does not bring any tears but loud laughs. This comedy treatment made the movie watching a pleasant experience, though it took away the seriousness partly from them film. Though I do not endorse making fun of the disables, when the disable makes a mock of himself, I could not laugh it out, may be to hide my sympathy.
Dileep's acting is impressive in both roles. If his appearance as hunchback was interesting, the villain look too was cool. Navya Nair did the role of blind girl convincingly. Manya handled the cheerful rich girl's role comfortably. Kochin Haneefa, Salim Kumar & Bindu Panikkar contributed much to the success of the film with their short but effective performance.
Songs of the film are good and they impress. The choreography with its comic and romantic touches well suites the situations.
Cinematographer succeeds in bringing a pleasant feel across with its brightness with less shade. The emotional scenes however could have better filmed.
Editing is good.
The writer, Benny P Nayarambalam succeeds in giving a new life to this old theme. The comedy approach helped the film to make a good turnover in box office. Some times the comedy was little down the belly kind but if one considers the overall affect, it is a pretty good effort. The director Sasi Shankar did a decent job though not exceptional. He handled a serious subject with light hand but not giving away the soul.
It is a good watch for the comedy, screen presence of Dileep, Navya Nair and the romance angle between Dileep and Manya. I liked this Kunjikoonan.
My rating: 3.5 Stars
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