RogerLazzarini9 at 20:09, 8 March 2026

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{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Kunjikoonan.jpg
| alt =
| caption = VCD cover
| director = [[Sasi Shanker]]
| based_on = {{based on|''Vikalanga Varsham''|Benny P. Nayarambalam}}
| producer = Milan Jaleel
| writer = [[Benny P. Nayarambalam]]
| starring = [[Dileep (actor)|Dileep]]<br/>[[Navya Nair]]<br/>[[Manya (actress)|Manya]]<br/>[[Saikumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]]
| music = [[Mohan Sitara]]
| cinematography = [[P. Sukumar]]<br>[[Saloo George]]
| editing = [[Ranjan Abraham]]
| studio = Galaxy films
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2002|10|11}}
| runtime = 155 minutes
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| budget = ₹1.9 crore<ref>{{cite web|url=https://m.rediff.com/entertai/2002/oct/16south.htm|title=Kunjikoonan Limps|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=12 May 2007}}</ref>
| gross =
}}

'''''Kunjikoonan''''' ({{translation|The little [[hunchback]]}}) is a 2002 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[comedy drama]] film directed by [[Sasi Shanker]] and produced by Milan Jaleel under his banner Galaxy Films. The film's script was written by Benny P. Nayarambalam, based on his own stage play ''Vikalanga Varsham''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/23323/ |title=വിജയത്തിന്റെ ഫസ്റ്റ് ബെല്‍, Interview – Mathrubhumi Movies |publisher=Mathrubhumi.com |date=2008-10-29 |accessdate=2015-02-26 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226164117/http://www.mathrubhumi.com/movies/interview/23323/ |archivedate=26 February 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It stars [[Dileep]], [[Navya Nair]] and [[Manya (actress)|Manya]]. Dileep plays dual roles in this movie and won [[Asianet Film Awards]] for Best Actor. The film was later remade into different Indian languages, such as ''[[Perazhagan]]'' (2004) in [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Manmatha (film)|''Manmatha'']] (2006) in [[Kannada]]. The film was a commercial success, and Dileep's handicapped character was praised by the critics.

== Plot ==
The story revolves around Vimal Kumar alias Kunjan, a village [[telephone booth]] owner who is sympathized for his [[hunchback]] looks and 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 and the pain of others too. He was of peak human morals, a man of great virtue.

In contrast to him is Prasad, a violent college student and a well-talented [[basketball]] player, who loves his classmate, Lakshmi. She comes across Vimal, who assures her that he will get her married to the man of her heart. However, she is killed in a [[wikt:fracas|fracas]] by a dreaded gangster named Vasu. Prasad gets accused of the murder and is jailed. Vimal saves Prasad by telling Lakshmi's father, [[Inspector|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 who Chembagam belongs to now. However, fearing his looks, Vimal decides to make way for the other after he sees Prasad and Chembagam together and misunderstands them. Thoma later finds him and tells him that Chembagam is waiting for him. They decide to get married, but on the night before their wedding, 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 killing him, thereby avenging Lakshmi's death. Prasad approves Kunjan and Chembagam before being sent to jail.

==Cast==
{{colbegin}}
*[[Dileep (actor)|Dileep]] in dual role as:
**Vimal Kumar (Kunjan), a hunchbacked [[telephone booth]] owner
**Prasad, a short-tempered college student and sports player
*[[Navya Nair]] as Chembakam, Kunjan's love interest
*[[Manya (actress)|Manya]] as Lakshmi, Prasad's love interest
*[[Sai Kumar (Malayalam actor)|Sai Kumar]] as 'Garudan' Vasu, the main antagonist
*[[Cochin Haneefa]] as Thoma, Kunjan's friend
*[[Salim Kumar]] as Chandran, Thoma's associate
*[[Machan Varghese]] as Divakaran
*[[Bindu Panicker]] as Aishumma, Kunjan's mother
*[[Guinness Pakru]] as Suhasini (voice dubbed by [[Anandavalli]])
*[[Nedumudi Venu]] as [[Constable]] Padmanabhan, Prasad's father
*Manka Mahesh as Prasad's mother
*[[Spadikam George]] as [[Circle Inspector|CI]] Madhavan, Lakshmi's father
*[[Reena (actress)|Reena]] as Lakshmi's mother
*[[Geetha Salam]] as Chembakam's father
*[[Narayanankutty]] as Chayakada owner
*[[Johny Antony]] as a caller at the Telephone booth (special appearance)
*Deepika Mohan
*[[Nithya Das]] in a [[cameo role]] as Kunjan's dream wife
{{colend}}

== Production ==

=== Filming ===
The film was mainly shot at various locations in [[Thodupuzha]]. It was filmed in 83 days.

== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Kunjikoonan
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[Mohan Sithara]]
| cover =
| alt =
| released = 2002
| recorded =
| venue =
| studio =
| genre =
| length = {{Duration|m=39|s=12}}
| language = [[Malayalam]]
| label = [[Satyam Audios]]
| producer =
| prev_title = [[Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan]]
| prev_year = 2002
| next_title = [[Pranayamanithooval]]
| next_year = 2002
}}
The songs of this movie were composed by [[Mohan Sithara]] and penned by [[Yusufali Kechery]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.msidb.org/m.php?2381|title=Kunjikkoonan (2002)|accessdate=2021-08-17|publisher=malayalasangeetham.info}}</ref> In 2002, [[Radhika Thilak]] received best female playback singer award from [[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards|Kerala film critics association]] for the song "Omanamalare Ninmaran".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/kochi/2016/Aug/11/filmmaker-sasi-shankar-dies-at-58-1507915.html|title=Filmmaker Sasi Shankar dies at 58|work=[[The Indian Express]]|date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/aug/02slide1.htm|title=The hunchback of Manmatha|work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=12 May 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/photo-features/magical-makeovers-of-mollywood-actors/photostory/64134970.cms|title=Magical makeovers of Mollywood actors|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=12 May 2018}}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline =
| extra_column = Artist(s)
| total_length = 39:12
| all_lyrics = [[Yusufali Kechery]]
| all_music = [[Mohan Sithara]]
| title1 = Azhake Varu Nee
| extra1 = Mahadevan
| length1 = 4:23
| title2 = Katte Poonkatte
| extra2 = [[P. Jayachandran]]
| length2 = 5:00
| title3 = Kadanja Chandanamo
| extra3 = [[K. J. Yesudas]]
| length3 = 4:25
| title4 = Kanne Unaru Nee (Male Version)
| extra4 = K. J. Yesudas
| length4 = 5:18
| title5 = Kanne Unaru Nee (Female Version)
| extra5 = [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length5 = 5:16
| title6 = Kunjante Penninu (Male Version)
| extra6 = [[Vidhu Prathap]]
| length6 = 4:46
| title7 = Kunjante Penninu (Female Version)
| extra7 = [[Jyotsna Radhakrishnan]], Hridya Suresh
| length7 =
| title8 = Omana Malare
| extra8 = [[Radhika Thilak]]
| length8 = 5:01
}}

== 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".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/130/malayalam/kunjikoonan/52/review.htm|title=Kunjikoonan Review | Kunjikoonan Malayalam Movie Review by Vins|date=25 September 2002}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/kunjikoonan-review-malayalam-pcluuzjdbhegi.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410213601/https://www.sify.com/movies/kunjikoonan-review-malayalam-pcluuzjdbhegi.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=10 April 2022|title=Kunjikoonan|website=[[Sify]] }}</ref>

==Accolades==
;[[Kerala Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-10-17 |title=Film Critics Awards Complete List From 1977 Till 2012 |url=https://www.keralafilmcritics.com/2020/10/film-critics-awards-complete-list-from.html |website=Kerala Film Critics Association}}</ref>
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Director|Best Actor]] – Dileep
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] – Navya Nair
* [[Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Female Playback Singer|Best Female Playback Singer]] – Radhika Thilak
* Special Jury Award – Saikumar

==References==
<references />

==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0356803|Kunjikoonan}}

[[Category:2002 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2002 romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Indian romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:Malayalam films remade in other languages]]
[[Category:Films about disability in India]]
[[Category:Films shot in Thodupuzha]]
[[Category:Films scored by Mohan Sithara]]
[[Category:Indian films based on plays]]
[[Category:Films about lookalikes]]
[[Category:Films directed by Sasi Shanker]]
[[Category:Malayalam-language romantic comedy-drama films]]

Kunjikoonan - Revision history

RogerLazzarini9 at 20:09, 8 March 2026