Kambhoji (film)

Kambhoji is a 2017 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Vinod Mankara.

Plot
Kambhoji tells the tragic story of Kathakali artist Kunjunni (Vineeth) and his unsuccessful love with Uma Antharjanam (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy). Kunjunni reaches Uma's house to learn Kathakali from Ravunni Menon (Hareesh Peradi), a veteran in the art form. Menon is like a family member in Uma's house and that's why he stays there to teach children Kathakali in the courtyard. A talented disciple, Kunjunni impresses Menon, who assigns Kunjunni to run the class there and leaves for his house forever to look after his only daughter. However, love blossoms between Uma and Kunjunni. Things become complicated when the murder of Narayani (Sona Nair) occurs in the village and Kunjunni gets arrested and sentenced to death.

The plot revolves around the real-life incident of the hanging of an artist in his Kathakali costume.

Cast

 * Vineeth as Kunjunni
 * Emma Watson as Kalamandalam Jasmine, Kunjunni's love interest
 * Lakshmi Gopalaswamy as Uma Antharjanam
 * Hareesh Peradi as Ravunni Aashan, Kathakali trainer
 * Sona Nair as Narayani
 * Rachana Narayanankutty as Jaanu, a servant
 * Shivaji Guruvayoor as Jailor Manoj
 * Grace Antony as Kunjolu, Ravunni's daughter
 * Indrans as Shivaraman, Kathakali makeup artist
 * Kalaranjini as Uma's mother
 * Kalamandalam Sivan Namboodiri as Uma's father

Music
The film's soundtrack album and background score are composed by M. Jayachandran. The lyrics for the songs were written by ONV Kurup, Vinod Mankara and Gopalakrishna Bharathi. The album was released on 5 September 2016 at Hyacinth hotel in Trivandrum.

The album marks Jayachandran's re-collaboration with Vinod Mankara after their successful film Karayilekku Oru Kadal Dooram (2010) for which the former won Kerala State Award for best music director. The film also marks the last works of acclaimed Malayalam poet ONV Kurup before his death. Kurup handed over his written lines to Mankara just three days before his death.

The soundtrack album has nine songs set to tune by Jayachandran and comprises popular singers like K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chithra, Bombay Jayashree among others who have recorded their voices.

Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
 * Best Lyrics – ONV Kurup
 * Best Music Director – M Jayachandran
 * Best Female Play Back Singer – K. S. Chithra
 * Best Choreography – Vineeth