Kanaa (2018) - Cut Short Review

Cast: Aishwarya Rajesh, Sathyaraj, Sivakarthikeyan, Rama, Darshan, Munishkanth, Blade Shankar, Ilavarasu, Savari Muthu, Antony Bhagyaraj, Baby Monica, Karthik, Fathima Samreen 
Direction: Arunraja Kamaraj 
Production: Sivakarthikeyan Productions 
Music: Dhibu Ninan Thomas 
Genre: Sports Drama 
Language: Tamil 
Version: 2D 
Runtime: 2 hrs 26 mins 
Censor Certificate: U

Plot - Murugesan (Sathyaraj) is a farmer, who lives happily with his family in a village. He is a great fan of Indian cricket team. Once Indian team loses a match, it makes Murugesan very depressed. So, his daughter Kousalya Murugesan (Aishwarya Rajesh) decides to become an Indian cricket player, in her childhood itself. After growing up, she doesn't change her aim. But, her mother and village people opposes it. With her father's support, how she overcomes all the obstacles to achieve her goal forms the crux of the story. 

Performance of the Star Cast - Aishwarya Rajesh delivers an outstanding performance, by giving her fullest efforts for the character 'Kousalya'. She has been trained up well, which makes her to look as a professional cricket player. In the cricket match and the training portions, her actions looks lively. Sathyaraj plays a supporting father role and he has given his usual best for that role. The daughter-father chemistry works well between Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj, which helps the emotional portions to create a small impact. Sivakarthikeyan makes his appearance in the second half, by playing a strong supporting role. He delivers a neat performance, which helps the cricket matches and it's training portions to be interesting. Rama plays as the mother of Aishwarya Rajesh in the film. She has done her strict mother role perfectly. She scores well in few emotional portions too. Darshan makes a decent debut in Kollywood. He plays as one-side lover of Aishwarya Rajesh and he has done his part well. He also entertains the audience, with some good humour. Munishkanth plays an extended cameo like role only, where he scores well in his portions. Ilavarasu has done his part well. All the other supporting actors have given their full support. 

Technical Works - Dinesh Krishnan's cinematography is really excellent, in which the rural visuals have been shot well. During the cricket match portions, his visuals adds a lively feel to it. Ruben's editing is really good, in which his cuts looks sleek and neat. He helps to maintain the screenplay flow, in a very good way. Dhibu Ninan Thomas's songs are so good. 'Vaayadi Petha Pulla', 'Othayadi Pathaiyila' and 'Savaal' songs are my favourites. His background score helps in elevating the main emotional portions. His background score has increased the curiosity of audience, in the cricket match portions. 

Director's Involvement with the Script - Director Arunraja Kamaraj has to be appreciated for taking this sports drama script, as his debut film. We all know him as a good lyricist, but he has scored well as a good director in this film. It's rare to see a 'sports drama' in Kollywood. He has given a complete justification to this genre, by setting up the characters and conflict strongly. He has framed the lead characters in a very strong way, which creates an emotional connect with the audience. By adding few humour, he treats in a commercial way too.He also deals with some agricultural issues through 'Murugesan' character, as a parallel track to the sports content. Without preachy treatment, he shows the day-to-day problems faced by a farmer, in a very convincing way. He makes a strong foundation for the sports content, in the second half. He also registers a strong view against the opposition of a woman's involvement in cricket, in a particular scene. His dialogues are also good. 

Screenplay Execution - In the first half, the film begins with a decent start. After 'Vaayadi Petha Pulla' song, the screenplay steps into the main plot slowly. From there, the screenplay becomes engaging, by making us to travel along with 'Kousalya' character. In between, few humour portions provides a decent entertainment. Towards the interval, the screenplay completely focuses on the main track. The interval point is really good. In the second half, the screenplay takes time to maintain the same intense flow. After Sivakarthikeyan's entry, the screenplay becomes engaging once again. His character makes the training portions, to be interesting. In between, ego clash between the players plays a major part. Towards the climax, the film becomes more entertaining, by creating a strong curiosity for the semi-final and final matches. The climax portion (final match) is a great plus for the film, where the strong emotions and motivation has been mixed up well. The entire portion will stay strong in our minds. The finishing touch is really good, where the film conveys a strong social message to the society. 

Main Negatives of the Film - Darshan's one-side love track hasn't been placed unnecessarily throughout the film. It doesn't spoil the mood of the film completely. Still, 'Othayadi Pathayila' song could have been avoided, as it comes as a speed breaker. In few parts, the screenplay comes out of the engaging factor slightly. The ego clash of other players on Aishwarya could have been more stronger, as it looks cinematic little bit. Few scenes reminds me of 'Dangal' movie little bit. There are some negligible flaws here and there. 

Verdict
          'Kanaa' is a very good sports-drama in recent times, in which the director has completely justified the genre with a sincere attempt. Aishwarya Rajesh's character will create a good impression among the audience. Sathyaraj's character comes as a great support for Aishwarya Rajesh, throughout the film. The flaws can be considered as negligible, as the impact given by the content is strong. When coming out of the theatre, you really get a good satisfaction. So, this film deserves 'must watch once' for Aishwarya-Sathyaraj performance and also for the good presentation of sports content. Without much expectations, watch the film in theatres with your family and friends. 

Cut Short Rating - 8.5/10