‘KishKindha Kaandam’ Movie Review: Asif Ali and Vijayaraghavan’s Brilliant Performances and a Layered Mystery Make for a Spectacular Combo! (LatestLY Exclusive)

KishKindha Kaandam Movie Review: There’s a significant influence from a certain Christopher Nolan film in Dinjith Ayyathan's Kishkindha Kaandam, though I won’t name it here to avoid spoilers. That Hollywood movie has already been remade in Indian cinema before, but I never expected its core concept to appear in this Malayalam film. Not only is it used effectively, but it feels organic and well-constructed, leading to one of the most poignant and twist-filled third acts I've seen this year. Kishkindha Kaandam is one of the most pleasant surprises from Malayalam cinema, especially at a time when I thought the industry had already peaked for the year. Onam 2024: Tovino Thomas’ ‘ARM’, Asif Ali’s ‘KishKindha Kaandam’, Antony Varghese’s ‘Kondal, Rahman’s ’Bad Boyz’ – Which Festive Movie Release Are You Most Excited About?

Ajay Chandran (Asif Ali) works for the forest department at the Kallepathi Reserve Forest and lives with his hot-headed father, Appu Pillai (Vijayaraghavan), a former army man. Ajay has recently married Aparna (Aparna Balamurali), his second marriage. At the same time, the police are rounding up licensed guns in the area due to the upcoming election.

Watch the Trailer of 'Kishkindha Kaandam':

Appu Pillai, who owns one of these guns, claims it’s missing. The blame is placed on the monkeys that often steal things from Ajay's house. But are the monkeys really responsible? Where is the gun? Why is Appu Pillai always so angry? Why is Ajay so subservient to his father, never rebelling? And what happened to his son Chachu, who disappeared a few years ago?

'KishKindha Kaandam' Movie Review - Slow-Burn But Highly Engaging

KishKindha Kaandam takes its time to answer these questions, first peeling back the layers of its characters before diving into the mystery. I appreciated how the film avoids unnecessary exposition (except for the final flashback), instead revealing key plot points through well-placed scenes. For instance, the story of the missing son and Ajay's first wife is introduced to use during a video call.

The first half centres on the mystery of the missing gun, as the police, forest department, and Appu Pillai’s family try to locate it. Aparna’s character serves as a stand-in for the audience; as the newcomer to the household, her curiosity mirrors ours. Through her perspective, we begin to understand Appu Pillai and Ajay better.

'KishKindha Kaandam' Movie Review - A Layered Screenplay

If you're patient with the first half, the second half offers rich rewards. Bahul Ramesh's screenplay truly shines here, skillfully weaving surprise elements into both the investigation and the family saga. The film remains unpredictable, making clever use of Appu Pillai's condition without exploiting it for cheap suspense. This is where Nolan's influence feels strongest, but at no point does it come across as a rip-off. Instead, the film uses a similar narrative device with equal effectiveness. Although I found the final revelation somewhat predictable, the way the film handles it and its aftermath leads to an unexpectedly moving conclusion. And when you think back to the tagline of the movie - 'A Tale of Three Wise Monkeys' exemplified more by the use of the primates as motifs throughout - you could only shake your head at the plaintive context of what it means.

'KishKindha Kaandam' Movie Review - Top-Notch Performances

As for the performances, Vijayaraghavan and Asif Ali own the show. Appu Pillai's irritable outbursts could have easily become a caricature in the hands of a lesser actor, but Vijayaraghavan delivers one of his finest performances, if not his very best. Appu Pillai is a man tragically trapped in a loop that he has created for himself, and Vijayaraghavan carefully brings out the nuances of the unfortunate existence of a complex man.

Asif Ali once again proves why he’s an underrated actor. His portrayal of the dutiful son looking out for his father is understated but powerful, particularly in emotional scenes like when he confesses to Aparna that he can’t remember his son's favourite game. The climactic scene where father and son share an intimate moment is the pinnacle of both actors' performances. Thalavan Movie Review: Biju Menon and Asif Ali's Investigative Thriller Presents a Flawed But Pacy Murder-Mystery.

Aparna Balamurali's role may not be as central as the other two but she is crucial to the plot and the actress is fantastic in the role. The supporting cast, including Ashokan, Jagadeesh, Nishan, Nizhalgal Ravi, Kottayam Ramesh, and Shebin Benson, are fine as well.

A special mention must also go to Bahul Ramesh, who not only wrote the sharp screenplay but also handled the film's beautiful cinematography—a truly multi-talented effort.

'KishKindha Kaandam' Movie Review - Final Thoughts

While I enjoyed his first film Kakshi Amminipilla, this is the film where Dinjith Ayyathan truly emerges out of the cocoon as a filmmaker. KishKindha Kaandam is a finely crafted film that blends mystery, family dynamics, and psychological drama smartly. It’s a slow burn that rewards patient viewers with a gripping second half and an emotionally resonant finale. With standout performances from Vijayaraghavan and Asif Ali, KishKindha Kaandam is undoubtedly one of the most memorable Malayalam films of the year.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2024 10:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).