- Release Date: 12/09/2024
- Runtime: 125 minutes
- Cast: Asif Ali, Vijayaraghavan, Aparna Balamurali, Ashokan, Jagadish
- Director: Dinjith Ayyathan
“An Incredibly Rewarding Cinematic Journey Through Mystery, Loss, and Redemption”
Dinjith Ayyathan’s “Kishkindha Kaandam” tells the story of a father, a son, and a newly married wife. The narrative begins on the wedding day of Ajayachandran (Asif Ali) and Aparna (Aparna Balamurali) when Ajayan receives a call from the local police station. He is informed that his father, Appupillai (Vijayaraghavan), has not yet deposited his firearm at the station, as required by the model code of conduct during the upcoming election.
Upon inquiry, Ajayan learns that his father has misplaced the gun. This triggers an engrossing investigation into the weapon’s whereabouts, led by Aparna who has resigned from her work and moved in with Ajayan after marriage and has all the time in the world to devote to one particular pursuit. The plot thickens when questions arise about whether the missing firearm is connected to the disappearance of Ajayan’s son from his previous marriage, who went missing at the age of seven and was never found.
As the story unfolds, a series of bizarre developments ensue. Aparna begins to grow suspicious of Appupillai, suspecting his involvement in the disappearance or even the possible kidnapping of Ajayan’s son. As the mystery deepens, there comes a moment when it seems Appupillai might have been responsible for the child’s death. At this critical juncture, the true story behind the child’s disappearance is unveiled. The revelation not only leaves the audience astonished but also makes it nearly impossible to hold back tears.
An Intriguing Mystery That Holds Your Attention from Start to Finish:
The film begins as a seemingly simple case of a missing gun presumed lost due to the deteriorating memory of its owner, but quickly escalates in unexpected directions. While some are more concerned about the consequences of the gun falling into the wrong hands, there is a sense of discomfort and visible annoyance in Appupillai whenever he is questioned about its whereabouts. This raises suspicions that he may know more about the gun than he is letting on and that this knowledge might be tied to something sinister. This notion is supported by how the mannerisms of Appupillai are rendered by Vijayaraghavan.
If that weren’t enough, his peculiar behaviour and odd mannerisms around others, even in the company of close friends, further suggest that he might be harbouring deep, dark secrets. As the story progresses, this suspicion intensifies. The director cleverly layers scenario upon scenario, each pointing toward Appupillai’s possible guilt in a crime that he might have committed perhaps even without fully realizing it.
What adds another layer of intrigue, amid all the negativity surrounding Appupillai, is the unwavering faith and reverence that Ajayan has for his father. Ajayan defends Appupillai no matter what, even against the doubts of the world or his wife, who strongly believes that Appupillai knows more about the disappearance than he admits. He does this even after being ill-treated by his father throughout and with the case of his missing son being an important element of the investigation with the suspicion pointing towards his father. While this devotion could be dismissed as natural or as sympathy from a son aware of his father’s declining mental state, the film takes it to an entirely new emotional level. This dynamic proves to be emotionally draining in the heartbreaking climax of the story where the true reason behind his reverence is revealed and it is expressed in one of the most tragic and yet strangely heart-warming scenes.
The Drama Between the Characters Is as Captivating as the Mystery Itself:
Dinjith Ayyathan ensures that the intrigue builds naturally from the dramatic interactions between the characters. Nothing in the story is spoon-fed to the audience. Every detail about the mystery and the people in it is revealed through conversations. This is a far cry from what we are generally served by mainstream entertainers.
One of the best examples of this is how the audience learns about Ajayan’s previous marriage, his missing son, and his ongoing efforts to find him. On a first viewing, Ajayan’s expressions whenever his son is mentioned—or when something needs to be done about the investigation—feel conflicting and layered. Upon a second viewing, when the mystery has been unravelled, the depth of his performance becomes even more evident. The subtle nuances and emotional weight in portraying a man grappling with such a bizarre tragedy and knowledge of it and yet can never express the emotions that come with the knowledge, feel incredibly organic and heartbreaking.
This makes the movie worth watching at least a couple of times, as there is so much to absorb in terms of the emotional human drama at its core. The actors’ fantastic performances bring to life every nuance and layer of the complex relationships on which the entire story hinges.
The dialogues and mannerisms of the characters as they interact with one another feel exceptionally authentic. How the same person behaves differently with different people—and how this reveals the various facets of their nature—is another remarkable quality of this film and its meticulous storytelling. Full credit must be given to the director for micromanaging and maintaining a strong grip on every expression and interaction of the actors keeping in mind the true extent of the story and its final payoff.
Superlative Performances from the Ensemble Cast
Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Vijayaraghavan practically share the entire weight of the drama between them. It goes without saying how exceptional they are in their respective roles. The Malayalam film industry has, of late, made it a norm to deliver disarmingly authentic performances, with directors skillfully guiding their actors to embody specific characters with remarkable precision and simplicity.
What I absolutely adore about movies and performances of this nature is the immense humanity and believability that they bring to storytelling. When I watch a film like this, I am constantly amazed by the intrigue, control, and sense of wonder that seemingly ordinary people and performances are able to evoke from me.
While I have always enjoyed larger-than-life films, characters, and the actors who portray them, the Malayalam film industry stands out for me with its incredible ability to make every Indian man and woman feel like they could be the protagonist—or antagonist—of their own story. This grounded, relatable approach mirrors real life while infusing just enough drama and grandeur to captivate its audience.
The industry’s unique approach of presenting its stars in avatars that resemble the common man, telling stories that could unfold in any household, and balancing them with just the right amount of cinematic flair is one of Malayalam cinema’s greatest contributions to Indian cinema as a whole.
Flawless Technicalities (Cinematography, Editing, Background Score):
I was enthralled by the cinematography which is something best experienced first-hand. The cinematography alone makes this worthy of a theatre experience. The visuals and settings complement the story perfectly, adding an essential layer of character to the narrative. It would have been a far lesser experience without the imaginative and stunning cinematography, which is further elevated by flawless editing that gives the audience the necessary time and the curated shots to appreciate the former.
Being someone accustomed to watching fast-paced thrillers, I initially felt a little restless, as the screenplay takes a moody yet consistently engaging approach to its propagation. The editing is deliberately crafted to allow the audience the opportunity to savour both the visuals and the inherent drama of the settings, which play a crucial role in amplifying the tragedy at the heart of the story.
The background score is sparingly used, but whenever it does appear, it heightens the emotions and impact of the sequences it accompanies. This is especially evident during the interval point and the climax, where the truth is revealed, and the father and son share a deeply moving moment unlike any they’ve had throughout the film.
Final Words
“Kishkindha Kaandam” is available on Disney+ Hotstar for your viewing pleasure. However, I feel this is the kind of presentation that should be enjoyed in a theatre, with no distractions and an unbroken viewing experience.
I had the luxury of watching it on a recently purchased 65-inch UHD 4K TV with a 4K print from Disney+ Hotstar, which allowed me to fully appreciate the creativity and effort of the makers. If you’re watching it at home, I recommend doing so at night in a dark room, free from interruptions.
What you absolutely shouldn’t do is watch it on a mobile phone, laptop, or tablet. That would be an insult and a disservice to the creative team that has worked tirelessly to craft something so uniquely different and heartfelt.
Rating: 4/5 (4 out of 5 Stars)
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