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Kilukkampetti
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| Kilukkampetti | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
| Directed by | Shaji Kailas |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Story by | Shaji Kailas |
| Produced by | Baiju |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Ravi K. Chandran |
| Edited by | L. Bhoominathan |
| Music by | S. Balakrishnan |
Production company | Ambalakkara Films |
| Distributed by | Keerthi Release through Jubilee |
Release date |
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| Country | India |
| Language | Malayalam |
Kilukkampetti (കിലുക്കാംപെട്ടി, transl. Jingle Box) is a 1991 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Shaji Kailas and written by Rajan Kiriyath and Vinu Kiriyath from a story by Kailas. It stars Jayaram and Suchitra Krishnamoorthi, and also features Shamili, Jagathy Sreekumar, Sai Kumar, and Innocent in significant roles. The film was a box office success.[1]
The film is loosely based on the 1990 made-for-TV film The Maid. The film was remade in Telugu as Joker (1993) and in Hindi as Pyaar Impossible! (2010).
Plot
[edit]Prakash Menon (Jayaram) is a successful architect based in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. His company's Kochi branch was not doing well and the company relocated him to Kochi to improve things. He was supposed to replace his equivalent in Kochi named Anu Pillai (Suchitra Krishnamoorthi). Anu wasn't happy about the company's decision: She didn't want to move out of Kochi and objected. Prakash in turn to Kochi, understands the office situation, and decides to talk to Anu in person.
Anu is living with her eight-year-old child Chikkumol (Baby Shamili). She is very naughty and Anu is not able to get a caretaker as no one is able to handle her. Prakash falls in love with Anu after seeing her in a shopping mall. He finds from his friend Mukundan that Anu is in search of a caretaker. Prakash reaches Anu's home and takes up the job under the name of Vasudevan with the intention of getting her to love him.
What follows is funny situations where Prakash has to take care of the girl, cook for the family and kids, and hide himself from those at his office. Eventually Anu goes to Prakash's house to request him not to take charge in Kochi and, on seeing him, understands that he had tricked her. But Prakash resigns from his job and appears to have gone back to Thiruvananthapuram. Anu starts to understand his love and feels sad. But on reaching her home, she finds that Prakash is back again as Vasudevan. Thus the movie ends on a happy note.
Cast
[edit]- Jayaram as Prakash Menon / Vasudevan
- Suchitra Krishnamoorthi as Anu Pillai
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Mukundan
- Baby Shamili as Chikkumol
- Sai Kumar as Raju
- Innocent as Scariah
- K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Saramma, Scariah's Wife
- Janardanan as Managing Director K.K. Nambiar
- Bahadoor as Muthachan
- Shyama as Anu's Friend
- Bobby Kottarakkara as Laser
- Thrissur Elsy as Padmini
- Subhash Gopinath as Prakash's friend
- Suvarna Mathew as Mariam Mathew, Office staff
- Beena Antony as Cameo in song
Soundtrack
[edit]| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Pachakkarikkaya" | M. G. Sreekumar | 4:29 |
| 2. | "Kikkili Kudukka" | M. G. Sreekumar | 4:56 |
| 3. | "Janma Ragam" | M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | 4:43 |
References
[edit]- ^ "Suchitra Krishnamoorthi: The notion of success is very different now". 9 April 2022. Archived from the original on 15 August 2023. Retrieved 25 November 2024.
External links
[edit]Kilukkampetti
View on GrokipediaBackground and production
Development
The development of Kilukkampetti originated with an original story by director Shaji Kailas, who envisioned a romantic comedy-drama centered on a successful architect who relocates and falls in love with a single mother, ultimately posing as a caretaker for her child to win her affection.[1] This concept marked Kailas's exploration into lighter, character-driven narratives following his debut thriller The News in 1989, blending elements of pretense and family dynamics to create heartfelt humor. The screenplay was crafted by the writing duo Rajan Kiriyath and Vinu Kiriyath, who transformed Kailas's story idea into a cohesive feature-length script, emphasizing emotional depth and comedic situations while adapting it for a theatrical audience.[8] Their collaboration expanded the core premise into a narrative that highlighted themes of deception, romance, and personal growth, drawing on relatable everyday scenarios in a Malayalam context.[10] Producer Baiju, operating under the banner of Ambalakkara Films, spearheaded the project, marking an early venture for the company in Malayalam cinema.[2] The development phase culminated in the film's official announcement in early 1991, setting the stage for principal cast selections, including Jayaram in the lead role as the architect.[4]Pre-production and casting
The pre-production phase of Kilukkampetti involved assembling a cast and crew suited to the film's comedic and dramatic elements under producer Baiju of Ambalakkara Films.[4] Jayaram was cast in the dual role of the architect protagonist Prakash Menon and Vasudevan, drawing on his established reputation for nuanced performances in romantic comedies during the early 1990s.[11] Suchitra Krishnamoorthi was selected for the role of Anu Pillai, marking her debut in Malayalam cinema and her first feature film. Baby Shamili, who had gained acclaim as a child artist for her role in the 1990 film Anjali, was chosen to portray the spirited Chikkumol, bringing her experience with emotionally layered child characters to the production. Supporting roles were filled by veteran actors to provide comic and dramatic balance: Jagathy Sreekumar as Mukundan for humor, Sai Kumar as Raju, and Innocent as Scariah for character depth.[11] Key technical appointments during pre-production included Ravi K. Chandran as cinematographer, marking his first independent feature after assisting on prior projects, and L. Bhoominathan as editor.[12][13] The film was financed by producer Baiju on a modest scale typical of mid-tier Malayalam productions in 1991, enabling a streamlined preparation before principal photography.[4]Filming and post-production
Principal photography
Principal photography for Kilukkampetti commenced in mid-1991. The production took place in Kerala to authentically reflect the story's setting, utilizing practical locations such as offices and homes to portray urban Malayalam life in the early 1990s. Cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, making his independent debut on the film, employed techniques that emphasized light-hearted visuals to suit the comedy-drama tone, capturing the playful energy of scenes involving child actor Shamili.[14]Music and soundtrack
The music and soundtrack of Kilukkampetti were composed by S. Balakrishnan, a Malayalam film music director renowned for his melodic and rhythmic compositions in 1990s comedies, including collaborations with directors like Siddique-Lal on films such as In Harihar Nagar (1990) and Godfather (1991). His work on Kilukkampetti features a compact soundtrack with three songs, emphasizing light-hearted and romantic tunes suited to the film's tone, recorded in 1991 ahead of the movie's December release.[15] The songs, with lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala, showcase Balakrishnan's signature blend of playful rhythms and soulful melodies, performed by prominent playback singers of the era. The tracklist includes:| Song Title | Singers | Duration | Lyrics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pachakkarikkaya | M. G. Sreekumar | 4:29 | Bichu Thirumala |
| Kikkili Kudukka | M. G. Sreekumar | 4:56 | Bichu Thirumala |
| Janma Ragam | M. G. Sreekumar, K. S. Chithra | 4:43 | Bichu Thirumala |
Plot and characters
Plot summary
Kilukkampetti is a comedy-drama film that centers on Prakash Menon, a successful architect based in Thiruvananthapuram, who is transferred to Kochi to revitalize his company's struggling branch there.[3] Upon arriving in Kochi, Prakash spots Anu Pillai, a dedicated colleague and single mother who is seeking a reliable caretaker for her young daughter, Chikkumol, while resisting her own impending relocation.[18] Instantly enamored with Anu, Prakash decides to pursue her by assuming a false identity as Vasudevan, applying for and securing the caretaker role to ingratiate himself into her life and family.[3] As Prakash navigates his dual life—balancing his professional duties with his undercover role—the story unfolds through a blend of romance, pretense, and child-centric humor. Chikkumol's spirited and often troublesome antics, including playful pranks and demands, create numerous comedic mishaps that both endear Prakash to her and complicate his charade, fostering unexpected bonds amid the chaos.[18] Song sequences, such as "Kikkili Kudukka," punctuate these lighthearted moments, highlighting the growing familial dynamics.[1] The central conflict emerges as Anu begins to suspect inconsistencies in Vasudevan's background. Anu discovers Prakash's deception when she visits his house to protest the job replacement. Hurt, she demands he leave, leading Prakash to resign his position and seemingly return to Thiruvananthapuram. However, Anu soon realizes her love for him. Returning home, she finds Prakash has resumed his role as Vasudevan, resulting in a happy reconciliation with Anu and Chikkumol.[3]Cast
The principal cast of Kilukkampetti features the following actors in their respective roles, each contributing to the film's romantic comedy dynamics through their character functions.[8]- Jayaram as Prakash Menon/Vasudevan: The protagonist, an architect who uses a disguise to woo Anu.[7]
- Suchitra Krishnamoorthi as Anu Pillai: A single mother and office worker central to the romance.[7]
- Shamili as Chikkumol: The mischievous daughter whose care drives the plot's humor.[1]
- Jagathy Sreekumar as Mukundan: A comic friend providing relief in supporting scenes.[8]
- Sai Kumar as Raju: An antagonistic figure adding dramatic tension.[7]
- Innocent as Scariah: A supporting character in an advisory role.[13]
- K. P. A. C. Lalitha as Saramma[13]
- Janardhanan as Managing Director[4]
- Bobby Kottarakkara in a supporting role[3]

