Kaanekkaane Movie Review- A Saga of conflicting Human Emotions

What would you do if you are stuck up on a person whom you love and hate at the same moment for their actions? What if the above said phrase becomes webbed into multiple person and situations? That's conflicting and Bobby-Sanjay comes up this time with that conflict. One of the most guaranteed writers had a tough time this year in the form of a melodramatic dud Mohan Kumar Fans and an average One starring Mammootty, but the duo is finally back. 

Kaanekkaane is directed by Manu Ashokan, with Suraj Venjaramoodu, Tovino Thomas and Aishwarya Lekshmi in lead roles. The plot of Kaanekkaane begins with Paul Mathai, played by Suraj Venjaramoodu visiting his Son in law Allen's residence, played by Tovino. Allen was initially married to Paul's daughter Sherin, with whom he had a son named Kuttu. Paul lost his daughter a year ago in a road accident and is continuing his legal battle against the driver.  He was welcomed to the residence by Allen's new wife Sneha (Aishwarya Lekshmi) who was pregnant at the moment. Several sequences show Paul's reluctance to accept Sneha as Allen's wife and Kuttu's Mother. Their moments of happiness cause discomfort in Paul who is not yet ready to accept their new life. At the same moment, the presence of Paul creates an uncomfortable experience in Allen. His repeated questions to Sneha about the behavior of Paul adds to suspicions. These suspicions and mystery takes forward the plot of Kaanekkaane as a thriller and an emotional drama.

Manu Ashokan, who received critical acclaim with his debut movie Uyare, comes up with a tale difficult to be presented on screen with every character receiving their fair share of cake. Often we have come across plots like this getting diluted due to the melodramatic treatment and a need to commercialize, but the writer duo has not just sculptured the characters but also the dialogues in a naturalistic manner. The biggest evidence of it is the first silent outburst by Paul in the Dining room where he simply responds to Sneha's parents when they share grief about Sherin's death 'You are discussing this about a person whom you haven't seen yet'.

I still remember those days when Suraj Venjaramoodu irritatingly continued his repetitive comedies, and it is that man who now receives praises for his continued acclaimed performances over the last few years. These performances should be compared with those A listed actors, whose works are repeatedly lauded. Paul in Kaanekkaane is just another reluctant father who can't let off his daughter's death and wants to give her justice. His emotional conflict at a point makes him yell He is a God to Allen, but in the end he knows he is just another human. 

                                       

Tovino as an actor has come far ahead, improvising at every step. Maybe Kaanekkaane is one of those movies where he has to express more than speak. Allen's fear, anger, guilt don't need be to expressed through long monologues. Aishwarya Lekshmi and Shruti Ramachandran have done their roles neatly as their characters demanded. 

Sony LIV's debut Malayalam release showcasing a saga of conflicting human emotions opens another platform for upcoming movies with strong contents who are unafraid of box-office outcomes. This one is definitely a worthy drama with raw emotions and a heart. Try it.

Streaming now on Sony LIV