Made in Malayalam language based on the French novel "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" is 'Kunjikoonan' (starring Dilip, Navya Nair and Manya - directed by Sasi Sankar and produced by Milan Jaleel). It was made in Tamil as 'Peralagan' by AVM banner (starring Soorya and Jyothika) and now Jaggesh the 100 plus films comedy hero of Kannada cinema tries his luck with hunch back and buck tooth.
What is special about this remake? The struggle of a handicap person is portrayed and at the same time the error is also copied. The transplant of eyes from one to another is disclosed in this Kannada version that is against to the medical laws. While remaking such a film throwing the common sense to the wind is ignoble. Maintaining the social responsibility is a must. To err is human. But to copy the error is inhuman in this case.
Putswamy (Jaggesh) is in an awkward position of hunch back, twisted legs, buck tooth, black complexion and irregular hair style. He owns a telephone booth and he is very conscious about beauty. His inner beauty is to do good for the people and be sincere. He is looking for a match and very particular about a very beautiful girl for his status. One dwarf lady opens his mind and Putswamy stops looking for his match in life. Around this time he finds blind Lakshmi (Gurlin Chopra). Lakshmi has come to town to earn livelihood with her brother by doing road side circus. Putswamy is attracted towards this girl and provides all help for her in life. In another side of the story is Soorya (Jaggesh again) son of constable in love with Inspector's daughter Priya (Gurlin Chopra again). In the rich and poor barricade and wordy dual Priya and Soorya decide to elope and marry. At the time of running away it is Vasu (Bobby) who comes as a demon. Vasu has enmity with Priya daughter of an inspector and Soorya. Priya is pushed from a height and she is dead. From this dead Priya the eyes are removed and transplanted to Lakshmi who looks like Priya. The problem starts now for Putswamy. Soorya wants Lakshmi because she has the eyes of his deceased lover. Putswamy hit badly in luck faces another hardship from Vasu who comes from the prison on bail. Lakshmi sensing all problems to handicap Putswamy decides to marry him. Soorya now emerges and kills Vasu makes way clear for Putswamy and Lakshmi.
For the fans of Jaggesh this may not be interesting because there is required quota of comedy from him. Jaggesh has struggled very hard to perform in the handicap role. Jaggesh's brother Komal Kumar excel in this film sidelining his popular comedy hero brother. Every scene Komal appears on screen the fun filled dialogues are guaranteed. Gurlin Chopra is fine in the second half of the film. In the first half it is Sanjana Gandhi alias Pooja Gandhi who steals the show in a guest role for a song number. Ashalatha has given very good support. This is unusual role for her.
Music by Vijaya Bharathi is below average. There is no good background score according to the situations. Ramesh Babu's camera work is splendid.m
Go and watch if you have not seen Kunji Koonan or Peralagan.
Scoring 6/10
