Kishkindha Kaandam (2024) Hindi Dubbed Full Movie

Kishkindha Kaandam is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language mystery thriller film. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan and written by Bahul Ramesh, the film stars Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Vijayaraghavan. The story is set in the Kallepathi reserve forest, known for its dense wilderness and mischievous monkey population. This forest is home to ex-military officer Appu Pilla and his son Ajay Chandran, a forest officer.

The principal photography began in July 2023 and wrapped up in just 40 days, with filming taking place in scenic locations across Kerala and Hyderabad. Mujeeb Majeed composed the music, while Sooraj E. S. handled the editing and Bahul Ramesh took charge of cinematography. Upon its release on September 12, 2024, the film earned widespread critical acclaim for its story, performances, screenplay, and background score. It became a commercial success and marked the highest-grossing film of Asif Ali’s career, also ranking as the ninth highest-grossing Malayalam film of 2024.

The story begins with the wedding of Ajay, a dedicated forest officer, and Aparna. After their marriage, Aparna moves into Ajay’s family home, where he lives with his father, Appu Pilla, a retired military officer. The house is located on the edge of the forest, known for its mischievous monkey population, which frequently troubles the locals.

Appu Pilla is a strict and disciplined man, shaped by his years in the military. However, he suffers from memory loss, a condition he fiercely hides from others. Aparna notices his erratic behavior, mood swings, and obsession with a pistol that went missing two years ago. Despite his memory issues, Appu relentlessly searches for the lost gun. Ajay, on the other hand, is weighed down by his own grief. His son, Chachu, from his previous marriage, went missing under mysterious circumstances three years ago. The emotional scars of this loss run deep, and Ajay continues to follow every possible lead to find his child.

As Aparna adjusts to her new life, she becomes increasingly concerned about her father-in-law’s strange behavior. She discusses her worries with Ajay, who dismisses them as symptoms of old age. Ajay reveals that his father has been struggling with memory loss for years but warns Aparna never to confront him about it, as it only aggravates his temper.

The arrival of a man named Amrith Lal further complicates matters. Amrith, who claims to be an old army colleague of Appu Pilla, visits the family. Appu grows suspicious of Amrith, accusing him of lying about their shared past. Their tense exchange deepens the mystery when Amrith secretly takes some of Appu’s personal notes before leaving abruptly.

The story takes a bizarre turn when wildlife photographers in the nearby forest capture an image of a monkey holding a gun. The police investigate and confirm that the gun is Appu Pilla’s missing pistol. Soon after, a skeleton is discovered on a neighbor’s property during excavation work. Initial suspicions point to Ajay’s missing son, Chachu, as the land once belonged to Appu Pilla. However, forensic analysis reveals the remains belong to a monkey, killed by a gunshot. The bullet matches the ammunition used in Appu’s pistol.

As the investigation progresses, Appu’s condition deteriorates. Aparna grows increasingly determined to uncover the truth. She discovers the missing pistol hidden in Appu’s room, along with a collection of notes detailing his personal investigation into the events surrounding the gun’s disappearance. Confronting Ajay, Aparna demands answers.

Ajay finally reveals the dark truth. Three years ago, Chachu discovered Appu’s pistol despite being forbidden to touch it. While playing with the gun, Chachu accidentally killed a monkey. Appu and his old friend secretly buried the animal’s body to avoid legal trouble. However, tragedy struck again when Chachu accidentally shot himself during a struggle with his mother, Pravina. Overcome with guilt and grief, Pravina overdosed on her medication and attempted suicide. Though Ajay managed to save her life, Chachu’s body mysteriously disappeared. Appu, confused by his worsening memory loss, is believed to have hidden the body but later forgot its location.

Appu’s memory loss creates a tragic cycle. He continually re-investigates the past, uncovering the painful truth, only to forget it again. Each time, he destroys the evidence and begins the process anew.

The film ends on a poignant note. Ajay and Aparna board a train, chasing yet another lead about Chachu being spotted in a distant city. Their endless search reflects the unresolved grief and guilt that haunt the family. The mystery surrounding Chachu remains unsolved, leaving the audience with a sense of lingering tragedy.

Director: Dinjith Ayyathan
Writer: Bahul Ramesh
Stars: Asif Ali, Vijayaraghavan, Aparna Balamurali
IMDb Rating: 8.4/10