The first look poster of the upcoming movie Karinthandan, starring award-winning actor Vinayakan in the lead role is out. The movie, which portrays the life of Karinthandan moopan, a tribal head who is believed to have discovered the Wayanad mountain pass, is being directed by Leela, the first filmmaker from Kerala's tribal community. Actress-film maker Geethu Mohandas unveiled the first look of Karinthandan, which is produced by Collective Phase One. There is hardly any written document which could give a proper insight into the life of Karinthandan. As per the folk lore, it is Karinthandan’s spirit which inhibits the ‘changala maram’ (chain tree) in Wayanad. It is believed that the leader of the Paniya tribal community lived between 1750 and 1799.
The forests of Wayanad, which was a treasure trove of spices and timber, had always, lured the British. Besides, they saw this forest path as an easier route to conquer the extremely prosperous territory of Tipu which lay beyond it. However, their efforts to cross the forest path remained a distant dream as many Englishmen who set out for the adventurous journey fell prey to wild animals. The British hoped for a solution through Karinthandan, a tribal stalwart, who was a shepherd in the valley of the Wayanad hills. A group, led by an English engineer, proceeded to send a track through the Wayanadu forest, with the help of Karinthandan who knew every nook and corner of the dense forest. The British was overwhelmed when they found the short cut from the valley to Lakkidi.
However, the British were not ready to acknowledge the fact that they had found a historical path which would help them spread their empire all over south India with the help of a tribal man. The Britishers were also worried that Karinthandan might disclose the newly discovered forest path to others as well. The legend says that Karinthandan was tricked and murdered.