Kochunni and Ithikkara Pakki were our superheroes, but they won’t be glorified in the movie: Rosshan Andrrews
Kayamkulam Kochunni is currently in the final stages of post-production. Bobby and Sanjay scripted the movie based on the life of Kayamkulam Kochunni, a legendary highwayman who was active in Travancore during the 18th century. The movie directed by Rosshan Andrrews has Nivin Pauly playing Kochunni’s role. Mohanlal is also there in an extended cameo role as Ithikkara Pakki.
Kochunni and Ithikkara Pakki were considered as India’s Robin Hoods, who stole from the rich and gave it to the poor. They are still considered as superheroes by Malayalis. While the movie will showcase their life and the circumstances that forced them to turn rebels in detail, they won’t be glorified at all.
According to director Rosshan Andrrews, even though Kochunni stole for the poor, he was also a murderer, a smuggler and a thief. So they wont be glorifying him. The director clarifies that “Kochunni and Ithikkara Pakki were seen as superheroes at their time but I would never say that they were role models. But we still love them because they are Kerala’s own.”
Kayamkulam Kochunni also stars Sunny Wayne, Shine Tom Chacko, Priya Anand, MS Bhaskar, Manikandan Achari, Sunil Sukhada, Babu Antony, Aneesh G Menon, Amit Chakalakkal and Kannada actress Ashwini. Gokulam Gopalan of Sri Gokulam Films has invested a whopping budget of over Rs 40 crores for the movie.
Kayamkulam Kochunni’s technical boasts of some big names like Bollywood cinematographer Binod Pradhan, multiple national award winning editor Sreekar Prasad and renowned sound designer PM Satheesh. Creative Studio, who handled the VFX works in films like Baahubali and Enthiran, are on board for Kayamkulam Kochunni as well. Gopi Sunder is in charge of the music department. The movie has been planned as a grand Onam release in August.
