Kanaa Review: Sivakarthikeyan’s first production is quite engaging

Director Arunraja Kamaraj’s Kanaa, produced by actor Sivakarthikeyan, is a film with a simple premise. The story is about a girl (Aishwarya Rajesh) who hails from a small town, who dreams of becoming a cricket player. As a child, she aimed to do so because her father (Sathyaraj) was an ardent cricket lover. Sounds like a fairly predictable and engaging plot? Well, it certainly is. And despite the familiarity and predictability, the film is an engaging watch. Thanks to the relevant dialogues and the decision to center the film around an ambitious girl help the film to take charge.

Kanaa, in a way, is a film that decides to redefine gender roles, and stereotypes in society. However, it is not pathbreaking, neither it is saying a new story. Like all other films of featuring an underdog, this film too has a female lead who isn’t supported by certain people of the society or the family, or the familiar event where the underdog is ridiculed by members of her own team. We’ve seen in all! So, what works from the film?

It features some genuine good elements of what is necessary for a story of an underdog. Be it Kausalya’s (Aishwarya Rajesh) stubborn attitude to play cricket or the time when her mother (played by Rama) thrashes her decision to be a part of the cricketing team – this film bears the ingredients that eventually help the underdog find her path to success. And that’s when we begin rooting for her! It’s amazing in other ways as well. Take this, in one scene, when people at the police station question Murugesan’s (Sathyaraj) decision to allow his daughter to play in a ‘man’s’ game, or when they shame her, Murugesan slams their intentions. This scene shows how society thinks of a woman, and how a parent or people should actually respond. In another scene when Kausalya begins to practice playing, one player in the cricket team asks how a girl can be included in the game, to which another player says that the cricket ball doesn’t know the difference between a man or a woman, all that matters is their passion to play. After listening to this, one may get an assurance that the film will go on a route that bashes the gender norms. The film boasts of other such dialogues that work well.

During its course, Kanaa digresses. While it starts off as a story about a sincere and earnest girl’s passion for cricket, it also shines a light on her family’s disappearing lives as farmers. It is here that the film plunges down. Shuttling between her goals and failures versus. showing the plight of the farming community, the film loses the mark. It often feels like Kausalya isn’t too worried about her family’s situation as there aren’t any scenes that even remotely show so. While her father works hard, faces humiliation and loses his self-respect, all Kausalya is doing to stare at an open space or she is sulking at the cricketing academy. In one scene when you hear the long speech about how farming is important, it is intended to make us think, but in turn, one may question the entire theme of the film. If one is able to give a speech on moral policies, then how come that person isn’t a part of making the positive change in farming? (one may understand this after they’ve watched the film). I wish there was some dialogue or scene that showed that it merged with the film.

Kanaa, is dramatic at times. However, with good performances, the film manages to work. Sathyaraj’s performance is superb throughout the film, and it is especially good when he emotes his love for his daughter. Aishwarya Rajesh is convincing as the cricketer. While she does look casual and carefree in a few scenes, her body language is terrific in the scenes she plays. I liked how adamant she gets when people opposed her from playing. Sivakarthikeyan’s entry and role in the film should bear the title card like the one we find on YouTube which says ‘Cricket coach Motivation speech’ or ‘Inspiring speech to haters’ because seems less of a cricket coach and more of a motivation Ted Talks speaker. He’s got the screen presence of a star which is probably why he decided to be a part of this crucial role. The most noteworthy performance, according to me, was by Rama! After delivering a fine performance as the possessive mother in PA. Ranjith’s Madras, this is another memorable role for the actress. Right from the way she disregards her daughter’s interest to the way she conveys her like – everything is so natural and fabulous by the actress! What I particularly liked was the production value, and the lovely visuals by Dinesh Krishnan which looked so natural, and the lovely music by Dhibu Ninan Thomas. Director Arunraja requires special mention for holding the engagement value of the film, and sketching the character of the female lead where she doesn’t have a love angle. She is independent!

If you are someone who doesn’t mind a film that mixes up to themes or if you are a fan of entertainers then Kanaa is for you. Whether you love cricket or not, you will find yourself cheering for team India in Kanaa.