KAAPA MOVIE REVIEW CLICK TO RATE THE MOVIE

When does the cycle of violence and vengeance end? "Never!" answers Shaji Kailas directorial Kaapa. Starring Prithviraj Sukumaran, Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Anna Ben in lead roles, the film is a crime action thriller. In the supporting cast, we have Dileesh Pothan, Jagadeesh, and Nandhu at the forefront.

Kaapa follows Asif Ali's Anand, an IT professional, who recently moved to Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore with his wife Binu Thrikarman. A routine police check in their neighbourhood results in Anand learning that his wife’s name is being included in the KAAPA (Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act) list, a list that includes the names of all the local Gundas. What follows is his desperate attempts at getting his wife’s name cleared from the list, while getting drawn into the local gang war.

Kaapa has all the hallmarks of the type of filmmaking that Shaji Kailas is known for. It is replete with action sequences, political jibes, an overpowered and nearly indestructible male lead, and grey-shade characters. However, there are two big and most welcome differences: the presence of stronger female characters that add some substance and the lack of jarring songs in the screenplay. Those walking into the theatres will be gifted with a movie that meets all their expectations of a Shaji Kailas movie.

What sets Kaapa apart from most gangster dramas is the grey aspects of each character. No one is innocent; everyone has sullied their hands in some crime at some point.

In Prithviraj, we don’t get a self-righteous gangster with a heart of gold. We get a character that knows he is in the wrong, feels guilt for his past actions and is even fed up with his life, but chooses to keep rivalries fresh. And he isn’t alone; his rivals leave no stone unturned to forget peace and opt for violence to further their agenda and exact vengeance.

Inspired by a novella written by G.R. Indugopan, who also wrote dialogues for the film, Kappa marks the second collaboration between Prithviraj and Shaji after Kaduva. And the sophomore outing is certainly better balanced as a film. However, it is not without flaws. For instance, the many action sequences peppered in the film seem tedious after a point, not to mention out of context in certain places.

Given the limited screen time, not all actors had the space to perform their best. Lastly, the film, which started from the perspective of Anand, randomly shifted to Madhu’s (Prithviraj’s character) perspective.

Despite the flaws, convincing performances from Prithviraj, Aparna, Asif, and Jagadeesh make Kaapa worth watching this Christmas weekend. It has everything for a blissful escape from reality while also giving you a tinge of reality.