Kayamkulam Kochunni review: Inspiring acts of Kerala's own Robin Hood

Kayamkulam Kochunni will be one major landmark in Malayalam cinema.

Rosshan Andrrews' films stand for 'inspiring and entertaining.' The biggest highlights of his films are probably the well-delineated characters that go beyond entertainment alone. For, he knows how to infuse the right amount of melodrama for the masses. That's how his Kayalamkulam Kochunni develops.

Thangal is a martial arts trainer. But above that he is a man of vision and principles. While he is of the notion that Keshavan is his true disciple, he finds the best in Kochunni. “It will pain me if my disciple turns out to be wrongdoer,” is what Thangal tells Kochunni before mentoring him. “A true spirit, you are born to win," is how later Thangal himself describes Kochunni.

To put it short, the movie Kayalamkulam Kochunni is about this best disciple of his.

'Kayamkulam Kochunni' has a rich cast including Mohanlal as Ithikkara Pakki.

Nivin Pauly has delivered his career best character with Kochunni. It is a demanding role and he, with utmost care, manages to do justice to it. Sunny Wayne as Keshavan delivers an impressive performance right from the beginning till the end. This movie will definitely leave a mark as the character infuses a disciple's discipline and a man's shrewdness. Yet another impressive performance is by veteran actor Babu Antony who earn applauds with his effortless and commanding screen presence as Thangal. Priya Anand, Shine Tom Chacko, Manikandan, Sudheer Karamana, Sudev Nair, Jude Anthony Joseph have also done a decent job.

Talking about the cast, one cannot miss mentioning Mohanlal who wins everyone's heart as Ithikkara Pakki. His energy, actions, dialogues seemed to be a booster to Kochunni and the audience gets a chance to thoroughly enjoy his appearance. The interval scene where he makes his grand entry is probably the best scene in the movie.

The British invasion, their efforts to nab Ithikkara Pakki and the caste system that prevailed during the period have been portrayed with finesse.

With a focus on family audiences, Rosshan Andrrews has convincingly crafted the impressive script of Sanjay and Bobby. BGM deserves special mention, for there are places which seemed a bit dramatic but gets shadowed by the music. Although the movie fails to bring in a big transformation of the character from mere Kochunni to Kayalamkulam Kochunni, the art department and tight editing make one root for the fast-paced drama.

Kayamkulam Kochunni has been shaped up as the costliest ever movie in the history of Malayalam cinema. Just like the undying spirit of Kerala's own Robinhood, the movie Kayamkulam Kochunni too will be one major landmark in Malayalam cinema.

Rating: 3.5/5

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