KANNA LADDU THINNA AASAIYA MOVIE REVIEW

The popular catchphrase of Cadbury’s advertisement becomes the title of Santhanam’s maiden production venture along with Ramanarayanan’s Thenandal films helmed by a debut director K S Manikandan.

For a generation that was fed on a diet of K Bhagyaraj’s films, the plot of Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasiaya is nothing new but for the current generation, this is the story of three men wooing one girl and their funny ideas and tricks. There are slight alterations from the original film (Indru Poi Naalai Vaa), perhaps to suit the current trend.

The power of Santhanam at the BO and with the audience is well known but in KLTA, it is Powerstar Srinivasan who shadows everyone becoming the power centre of KLTA. It is in fact interesting to observe that Santhanam has given ample scope for his fellow actor and perhaps it is his shrewd acumen that had roped in Powerstar for his film. It is a kind of big spoof played on the actor which Santhanam points at the end “nee comediannu theriyamaiye irukkiyae’ which works for KLTA.

Powerstar gathers all the applause and audiences don’t get tired of cheering him whenever he appears on screen or mouths a simple dialogue or flexes his muscle. Dialogues like “Shruthi vandaa, koodave avanga appa Kamalum varuvaaraa”, “Mannu lorry break pidikkadhu, appanukku friends pidikkadhu”, “Corporation kakkossukku ayudha pujai pannina maadhiri” bring the roof down. And there are plenty of such dialogues in KLTA.

The story is nothing new and is totally predictable but what favors it are the continuous bouts of humor and wisecracks that tickle the funny bones hugely. You know what is going to come but you still wait eagerly to see how it is going to happen. There are many scenes that are high on humor quotient like the ‘chinnanchiriya vanna paravai’ rendition at the temple, Powerstar using a double for dance at the temple to name a few.

KLTA team’s agenda is simple and clear- they want to make the audience laugh and they have succeeded in this mission big time. Gags and oneliners follow at regular intervals. Although pace is not the high point of KLTA, by the time you realize the snag, there is something coming on screen which makes you roll with laughter. That aside, KLTA is all about humor snippets that are strung together that gives an enjoyable time at the theatre.

For Powerstar, all that he does is to just play himself and hence it is a natural performance. The very factors, for which he is generally made fun of, are all integrated in to the story resulting in a spoof like show. The best example could be the scene at the liquor shop where Santhanam takes a picture of Powerstar, shows it to him, asks for his opinion and teases him.

For Santhanam, KLTA is another regular show as an actor and he glides past his role. When he emotes with feigned seriousness mimicking all heroes when Vishaka asks him ‘neengalumaa?’, it is hilarious to say the least. There are also dance sequences in KLTA involving Santhanam and Powerstar which again result in more hilarity. Newcomer Sethu is just about adequate and in fact he fades in the presence of the other two artists.  Vishakha Singh is one more actor from north.

There are other supporting cast members like VTV Ganesh, Kovai Sarala, Devadarshini and Shivshankar master but the spotlight is clearly on Powerstar. Cameo from Gautham Menon, Simbu and cinematographer Balasubramaniem gel well with the plot.

Among Thaman's songs the ‘love letter’ number, remix of yesteryear ‘unnai vaazhthi paadugiren’ picturized on Santhanam is a laugh riot.  Replete with humor, KLTA offers what it is set out for-gives an unabashed hilarious 140 minutes for the viewer.