Review: Kanam

Film: Kanam (Tamil); Duration: 154 minutes ; Releasing in theatres
Director: Shree Karthick
Cast: Amala Akkineni, Sharwanand, Sathish, Ramesh Thilak, Ritu Varma, Nasser and others
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Cinematography: Sujith Sarang
Rating: 4 stars

Director Shree Karthick’s ‘Kanam’ is a wonderful emotional entertainer that warms the cockles of your heart.

It is about a son, who cannot come to terms with the loss of his loving mother even 20 years after her death in an accident, suddenly being given another chance to go back in time to meet her.

The story starts off in 1998, with two scientists –Rangi Kuttapaul (Nasser) and Michael Roy (Yogi Jaap)– looking to test a time machine they have created. Michael offers to be the test subject but unfortunately, the test fails. It kills Michael eventually.

Twenty one years later, the story shifts to three other people — Aadhi(Sharwanand), a musician who is nervous to perform before an audience, Kathir(Sathish) – an eligible bachelor looking for a suitable bride, and Pandi (Ramesh Thilak) – a street smart house broker. All three have been thick friends right from childhood.

Among the three, Aadhi has had a difficult childhood. The young musician, who has a fear of performing before an audience, badly misses his mother, who died in an accident almost 20 years ago. Aadhi longs to meet his mom, from whom he has inherited his love for music, one more time.

It is under these circumstances that one day, Pandi gets a call from a prospective customer who wants a house for rent on the outskirts of the city. The caller is none other than scientist Kuttapaul, who has now made a time machine that actually works.

Kuttapaul meets Aadhi who accompanies Pandi and realises he wishes to travel back in time. Aadhi hopes to save his mother from the accident that killed her while Kuttapaul hopes to save his friend by sending Aadhi back in time to stop them from performing the experiment. As luck would have it, both incidents have happened within a day’s time. Also Kuttapaul is looking for someone like Aadhi as he himself is too old to undertake a journey of the kind now.

The scientist sends back all three friends to 1998, when they were kids. What happens then is what Kanam is all about.

The story is a heart touching emotional entertainer that leaves you moved. Amala as the mother of Sharwanand, makes your heart melt. She is kind, compassionate and understanding and is bound to strongly remind audiences of their bond with their mothers.

Nasser as scientist Kuttapaul impresses yet again, delivering what is exactly expected of his character.

Master Jay, Master Hitesh and Master Nithya, the kids who play the childhood characters of Aadhi, Kathir and Pandi, are just fantastic in the film. All three child artistes deliver commendable performances. In particular, master Nithya, who plays Pandi, steals the show.

Sharwanand, Ritu Varma, Sathish and Ramesh Thilak deliver neat performances as well.

The film is a harbinger of hope. While it looks to generate a lot of positivity and hope through the dialogues of Amala’s character, it also reminds one of the fact that death is a reality that cannot be changed.

The film is bound to be a soothing balm to any heart that is in pain over the loss of a loved one.

Shree Karthick’s film ‘Kanam’ also stresses the value of time and underlines the need to live the moment. A neat, clean, enjoyable and entertaining film that is well worth your time!