Kaaka Muttai

Even though it is set in the backdrop of a slum and the main reason for the developments in story is poverty, M Manikandan’s Kaaka Muttai has this amazing positivity in it. The movie within its under two hour long narrative explores many aspects of the situation and succeeds in presenting all those with depth and sarcasm.

It is actually the story of the desire of two brothers. They call themselves Periya Kaaka Muttai and Chinna Kaaka Muttai. The brothers who stopped going to school is nowadays earning something by selling coal. The movie revolves around their desire to eat a pizza from the recently inaugurated pizza shop. The difficulties in fulfilling that wish is the main theme of this heart-warming cinema.

Manikandan has done a fabulous job by keeping the movie in the reality. You might even feel that they shot scenes secretly. The movie moves in a very gentle speed and the way the humor comes in to the narrative is quite impressive. No desperate attempt is there to showcase the poverty, in fact the positivity of this kids might even make people feel great about the opportunities they now have. Ethics, love, care and how to live life using the opportunities that comes in your way has been visualized brilliantly by Manikandan.

The kids are definitely the show Stealers here. The way they react with even simple gestures is so brilliant that you will really walk with them as the movie gets narrated. The reason for the climax Goosebumps are mainly because of the way these kids have given life to those innocent characters. Big thumbs up to Vignesh and Ramesh for that. The mother played by Iyshwarya Rajesh was good. Ramesh Thilak was damn good in that Thala character. Small roles for people like Babu Antony, Joe Malloori, Yogi Babu etc. I don’t know the name of the actress who played the role of the grandmother; she was a really caring onscreen grandma.

Manikandan’s making that allowed the actors to behave naturally deserves applauds here. The movie has abundant humour and it also addresses serious matters that questions our attitude in a very sarcastic manner. The dialogues were well written and the screenplay wonderfully constructs the world of these kids and the kind of exploitation that happens. Cinematography is wonderful and the music and background score from G V Prakash Kumar enhances the beauty of this small wonder. Edits were also good.

Kaaka Muttai is one movie that you should not miss. It’s good to see stars like Dhanush and Simbu getting associated with these meaningful creations. The rating for the movie is 4/5. Its sweet, it is elating and it is a movie with a sweet heart.