Film- Kattapava Kaanom
Director- Mani Seiyon
Cast- Sibiraj, Aishwarya Rajesh, Chandini, Kali Venkat, Mime Gopi, Baby Monica.
The plot revolves around a fish named Kattappa and of how it turns the fortune of the people it comes in contact with. It's what happens when Kattappa goes missing from the house of a thug who owned it. With various people trying to get their hands on the fish which was supposed to bring luck to the one who possessed it, it’s a free for all at the end.
A fantasy- comedy, the title cashes in on the popularity of the character Kattappa played by Sibiraj's father Sathyaraj in 'Baahubali'. But with the real good moments few and far between, the film (125 minutes) is an average fare.
It opens with a voiceover on how hero Pandy’s bad luck followed him from his birth to his adult days. It’s followed by the Pandy-Meena romance and marriage. The characters are numerous. There is the little girl Kayal (Baby Monica) the couple’s neighbour in the apartment block, with immense faith in the power of the ‘lucky’ fish she had happened to spot at various place; A thug (Gopi) who owns the fish kattappa and believes his rise in life was due to it; two petty thieves who steal Kattappa; a detective hired to find the fish and a trio of rowdies who are after the hidden loot belonging to a dead man.
But not all the characters and their related episodes generate interest. Apart from the couple, watchable is the episode of the little girl and of the two thieves. The interaction between Pandy and Meena is lively, with both Sibi and Aishwarya blending well with their characters. There is something about animals that brings out the best in Sibi.
The actor was comfortable and assured in the company of a dog in ‘Naaykal Jaakirathai’ and he is relaxed and cool with the fish for company here. Aishwaria’s early scene reminds one of Hansika’s drunken binge in ‘Bogan, her character-sketch as a bold woman, unapologetic about her behaviour, appreciable.
It’s a simple plot with an uncomplicated story-telling style. But the linking of the episodes is jerky, at times seeming forced and contrived. It slackens towards the latter part, and then spirals to a satisfactory ending. The director seems unsure of who his target audience is. At times its juvenile take seems to be targeted at children.
The humour in the lines makes one laugh. But at times the dialogue is laced in abundance with double entendre and off-colour jokes. The film at the most is a promising effort from a debutant maker.