'Kishkindha Kaandam' is designed to linger in viewers' minds: Director Dinjith

Kishkindha Kaandam, the second film directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, who debuted with Kakshi: Amminni Pilla, has taken the theatres by storm. Produced by Jobi George under the banner of Goodwill Entertainments, fans have eagerly anticipated the movie since its trailer dropped, hinting at an intriguing mix of mystery and suspense. Despite the title, Kishkindha Kaandam, Director Dinjith Ayyathan clarifies in an interview that the film has no connection to the mythological kingdom of Kishkindha. He sheds light on the movie, which boasts a star-studded cast, including Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali.

The three wise monkeys
"The tagline of our movie is 'three wise monkeys.' Every character in the film is wise in their own way, which will become clear as the story unfolds," says Dinjith. "Many have been curious about why we named it Kishkindha Kaandam. The characters in the movie live on the fringes of a forest, with their lives deeply connected to its ecosystem. Since Kishkindha was the name of the mythical kingdom ruled by Sugriva and Bali, I thought it would be an exciting name for the film. When I suggested it, everyone loved it. The title has no direct link to the myth of Kishkindha – we just borrowed the name.

Asif Ali's transition into mature roles with Kakshi Ammini Pilla
“Asif Ali truly came into his own with Kakshi Ammini Pilla, which was my first movie,” says the director, who says he was sure his first film would significantly boost his career. Until then, Asif was cast the most in college-boy roles, but Kakshi Ammini Pilla allowed him to step into the shoes of a more mature character — a lawyer. The role of a 'big brother' showcased his talent in its entirety, and the impact of this transformation was evident in his subsequent performance in Kettyolaanu Ente Malakha. The screenplay for Kishkindha Kaandam was written by Bahul Ramesh. “During our discussions, we both agreed that we needed to move forward with a new project immediately and that Asif should be the one to hear the story. Around this time, production controller Alexi Kurien reached out, asking if we had any promising projects in need of backing. From there, everything fell into place quickly. Goodwill Entertainments soon stepped in to handle the production, providing incredible support throughout. As the entire team worked collectively with dedication, the movie came together beautifully,” recollects Dinjith.

Appu Pillai: A character crafted with N.N. Pillai in mind
Asif and Aparna portray a couple who marry after living together for some time. The director says that Aparna’s look at that time perfectly suited the character, which made her an ideal choice for the role. “When it came to casting Appu Pillai, we had Vijayaraghavan, affectionately known as Kuttettan, in mind, especially given his resemblance to his father, the legendary N.N. Pillai,” he remembers. Bahul, while writing the screenplay, drew inspiration from different characters in older films. Many of the dialogues were crafted with N.N. Pillai in mind, and eventually, that character ended up with Kuttettan. His immense talent brought a depth to the character that truly elevated the film, says Dinjith.

Hoping to thrill the audience
Kishkindha Kaandam is not just a thriller with a touch of mystery; it’s also a compelling family drama. At its core, it explores the unique relationship between a father and son—a dynamic that hasn’t been portrayed on screen in a long time. The movie is designed to leave a lasting impact on viewers, lingering like a scar in their minds, according to Dinjith. “Bahul’s writing style is distinct, and he completed the script in just eight days and I was so amazed to see the script. I had been waiting so long for a perfect project as I wanted my second film to be my best. Hearing this screenplay filled me with excitement—it is such a brilliantly crafted script,” he says, adding it is up to the viewers to judge how well he has translated this script into a film. While the movie does not revolve around a typical police investigation, the inquiry begins when the audience starts watching. “That is the brilliance of Bahul’s storytelling. We have brought this movie to theatres with the hope that audiences will receive it well, as with quality films,” says the director.

Music as the highlight
One of the standout features of Kishkindha Kaandam is its music. Mujeed Mujeeb, who previously composed for Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, created the score for this film. Dinjith says his work is what he believes audiences will appreciate the most. “I have just finished reviewing it, and both Bahul and I agreed that, like Sushin Shyam, people will soon start recognizing Mujeed Mujeeb for his remarkable talent,” says the director. Since the film has no space for songs, Mujeed composed an incredible background score. We did bring out some promotional songs, but they do not appear in the movie. Jobi Chettan of Goodwill Entertainments provided tremendous support throughout the process.