Kannaki

Kannaki
Directed by Jayaraj
Produced by Mahesh Raj
Written by Sajeev Kilikulam
Starring Lal, Nandita Das, Siddique, Kalpana, Geetu Mohandas, Manoj. K. Jayan, Cochin Hanifa
Music by Kaithapram Vishwanathan
Cinematography M.J. Radhakrishnan
Edited by N.P. Sathish
Kannaki is a Malayalam language film. It is directed by Jayaraj. It is loosely based on Shakespeare story of Antony & Cleopatra

Kannaki revolves around Manickam (Lal) and Choman (Siddique) who are best friends in a local village. Manickam excels in the local game of ‘Cock Fight’ and has total mastery of the game and the bird. Manickam is actually fighting for Choman in his regular cockfights with the Gounder (Manoj K.Jayan).

The local beauty is Kannaki (Nandita Das), who has some magical powers and half the village is lusting after her. Choman and the Gounder had fallen out with Kannaki, but Kannaki likes Manickam. She likes him for his courage and macho image. Manickam has another admirer in Choman’s sister Kumudam (Geetu Mohandas).

Kannaki and Manickam become very close and he takes a decision to marry her. When Choman comes to know of this, he is furious. He wants Manickam to marry his sister and goes to the extent of announcing their wedding at a public function. Manickam meets Kumudam and explains to her that he has a sisterly affection to her and not of that of a lover. Kumudam is heart broken, but still maintains a level of loyalty in hope that, Manickam will realize her love. Choman is angered by all this and develops a hurt feeling towards his best friend.