Right from the turn of events at Gopika’s wedding in the beginning, Kanaakanden breaks lot of conventions. The intimacy between the lead pair is sparkling fresh and rivals any Maniratnam screen couple. Gopika in particular, with zero skin show, heralds the new-age, B-town (Trichy?) woman who is outspoken and doesn’t twitch at the premarital jamboree she has with Srikanth, her friend-turned-lover. Prithviraj’s characterization – brutal money-mindedness in the garb of an impeccable gentleman – is refreshing villainy. Srikanth, as usual lends able support. Vivek’s comedy and the songs are painfully distracting. The core plots of seawater desalination – acute water scarcity – crude money lending practices, have been blended and etched into the racy screenplay marvelously. The cat & mouse game between Srikanth and Prithviraj are kept to the minimum, unlike some of the recent screenplay-whiz’s films where they begin and end the movie. This is a very crisp, refreshing, well enacted and thoroughly enjoyable movie that deserved a lot more accolades. Debutant KV Anand impresses big time! It’s perhaps the slightly educated aspect of the plot that became its unfortunate hurdle. Madurai Anbu’s name in the opening credits on a movie dealing with Kandhuvatti is a complete irony, though!
Keywords: Srikanth, Gopika, Prithviraj, Vidyasagar, K V Anand
Note: 100 more words than usual. You’d know why when you see this film!
