Kaapa review: A half-boiled gangster film with a magnificent performance by Prithviraj

Kaapa (Goonda Act) is the story of a young couple — Anand and Binu — who shifts to Thiruvananthapuram.

Through a police officer, Anand finds out that his wife’s name is on the list of criminals under the Kaapa/Goonda Act.

A police officer tells him that a notorious gang is after Binu and he should clear the issue with the gang as the first thing to stay in Thiruvananthapuram.

Soon, he gets involved in a violent gang war. What happens to Anand and Binu forms the rest of the story.

The plot is based on GR Indugopan’s book Shankumukhi. A couple of minutes into the film, director Shaji Kailas introduces us to the world of violence.

Good and mediocre at the same time

Kaapa is a major step forward in terms of story as well as making when compared with Kaduva, the director’s previous collaboration with Prithviraj.

The movie is good and mediocre at the same time. There are moments, characters, and developments that are well-written.

For example, the guilt Madhu has for using a boy’s hunger to commit a crime. Then, suddenly, the film falls to mediocre with a loud soundtrack and over-the-top stunt sequence.

More such scenes were needed for viewers to develop a feeling towards the characters. This could have been an absolutely brilliant script.

Notable film of Shaji Kailas, but not his best

It is good in places and definitely one of the notable works of Shaji Kailas since Chinthamani Kola Case in 2006.

However, Kaapa is not in his kit of best movies.

With the kind of scenes and wide story, it could have been better. It has a great plot to work with. Strong moments pop up but vanish without much impact.

For example, the relationship Aparna Balamurali has with Asif Ali and Prithviraj. The dimensions among the three characters should have worked more.

It is heavily bogged down by the tight-but-emotionless script and the music tracks.

Had the director concentrated on such portions or the emotional parts, like the boy whom Madhu uses to commit a crime, it would have become a great film.

KOTTA MADHU! 🔥 #KAAPA In theatres now! 😊 pic.twitter.com/pth32zNYh8

— Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) December 22, 2022

A brilliant Prithviraj, an impressive supporting cast

While all the actors should be praised for giving their best, Prithviraj Sukumaran steals the show as Kotta Madhu.

He is fantastic in the scene where he seeks revenge and kills a goon for murdering his brother.

I am in awe of Prithviraj’s performance in this extremely emotional action sequence!

All the female characters got good screen space. Aparna Balamurali is really convincing as Pramila, the powerful wife of Kotta Madhu. Anna Ben as Binu is also good.

Asif Ali as Anand is too good. Jagadish as Jabbar and Dileesh Pothan got meaty roles and both delivered impressive performances.

What didn’t work?

The colour tone, or the filter used in Kaapa, is not at all impressive.

But the worst part of the movie is the soundtrack and background score composed by Dawn Vincent.

The title sequence started with a bit that was similar to that of KGF, followed by numerous loud tracks till the climax. The noisy background score takes the movie to a lot of places, but it never really goes where it should.

The film would have done wonders with a more serious (less commercial) approach in terms of making and music.

Starring @PrithviOfficial – @Aparnabala2 – #AnnaBen – #AsifAli

ICYMI catch the trailer of #KAAPA ▶️ https://t.co/iiZYa3nCrl

A #ShajiKailas Movie
In cinemas from Dec 22nd!#ShajiKailas #jomontjohn #JinuVAbhraham #SiddharthAnandkumar #dolwinkuriakose #Dileesh #DawnVincent pic.twitter.com/OwuHJRFkBS

— Saregama South (@saregamasouth) December 14, 2022

Final take

All said, what saves Kaapa is Prithviraj’s magnificent on-screen presence as the brutal Kotta Madhu, and the almost all-star ensemble cast that pops up in supporting roles throughout the film.

The movie ends leaving a few auxiliary verbs like would have, could have, and should have. In all, Kaapa is a half-boiled gangster flick that still tastes good.