Kaappaan – Film Review

The much-awaited Surya-thriller “Kaappaan” released today, 20^th Sep. 2019 after missing a previous date. The film has been making much noise over the past few weeks, what with Lyca creating a big buzz around the movie with Superstar Rajinikanth himself attending and launching the movie’s audio amid much fanfare. Surya’s past seven films have received critical feedback with the latest NGK being dubbed as his career’s worst flop. His previous outings TSK & Singam 3 received mixed responses and he is on the verge of being written off as a bankable star with a hit opening weekend – something he’s ferociously trying to defend.

Kaappaan, for me is Aadhavan 2 which released exactly a decade back for Deepavali. In a similar role, Kathir plays an SPG Officer working in the PMO and shadowing the security of none other than the Prime Minister of India played ably by Mohanlal. Lalettan is sauve, displays formidable demeanour suitable for the character and is crisp in his dialogue delivery. Kathir (Kathiravan, his name denotes the Sun God - also meaning Aadhavan, whose other name is Surya!) lives with his widowed mother and is a farmer in the Tanjore delta area practicing native agri-farming methods suitable for our soil. He also plays an undercover officer and is sent on various assignments from time to time. In a chance meeting, he happens to interact with the Indian PM at London where he saves the life of the latter in a dramatic rescue operation who appoints him as his personal Security Officer. In the second attempt made by terrorists on the life of the PM at the Kashmir valley, Kathir is unable to save the PM who succumbs to a bomb blast. How he saves the successor PM forms part of the second half of the film. 

Arya reminds me of Gemini Ganesan of the 60s/70s who played roles as a lead hero as well as second hero with elan to the likes of Sivaji Ganesan almost simultaneously. Have been stunned to see him mature so well as an actor over the years. After playing a shadow role to Ajith Kumar in Aarambam, he plays a similar role which is more than a Cameo but lesser than a full-time hero in Kaappaan. His real life sweetheart Sayeesha plays Kathir’s muse as Anjali, head of Corporate Communication at the PMO. Very less screen presence for her but she makes the most of it. Boman Irani makes his first appearance in a full length Tamil film as a leading Indian Industrialist close to the PMO and plays truant to make his way as the highway. Does he succeed in the end? Watch the film to know his escapades. 

The screenplay is not-so watertight and leaves the viewer to imagine a few sequences, rightfully. Director KV Anand and Surya come together for the third time after Ayan & Maattrraan and their working chemistry from their days of Nerukku Ner is clearly visible with both artists having matured quite well in their respective domains.

Harris Jayaraj has given a chartbuster album and also takes credit for launching his daughter Nikita as a singer who also appears in the song “Vinnil Vinmeen”. Interestingly, a foot-tapping duet number is held back for the ending-montage, perhaps not to impact the serious flow of screenplay, especially in the second half. MS Prabhu’s cinematography is slick and Antony’s editing makes the 140-min film watchable with some interesting scenes which are a hit-or miss to the eyes. Chirag Jani plays the negative character but KV doesn’t seem to have extracted the most from him. Samuthrakani, Thalaivasal Vijay and Prem play small but memorable roles.

Overall, Kaappaan is watchable with pop-corn, nachos and family at a nearby multiplex this weekend.