Debutant director Shajil Mampad deserves praise for setting the film and crafting the story around the life of the common people in Malappuram region.
A poster of the film 'Kadakan'. (X)
Hakeem Shahjahan’s Kadakan has been released at a time when the superhit films Premalu, Bramayugam, Anweshippin Kandethum, and Manjummel Boys are still going strong in theatres across Kerala.
The young actor plays the lead role in the flick for the first time.
The film saw decent promotions and the soundtrack by Gopi Sunder got traction on YouTube and other music platforms, which increased the expectations of the audience.
Directed by debutant Sajil Mampad, Kadakan has a unique set-up, which is less discussed in Malayalam films. However, as the story progresses, it turns into a revenge drama.
Let’s see how this Malayalam movie fares at the box office:
Set against the backdrop of Nilambur in the Malappuram district in Kerala, Kadakan talks about the sand mafia and its encounter with the police.
Sulfi (Hakeem Shahjahan) is into sand mining. The movie begins by establishing the plot. It gives an account of the tussle between the rival sand mafia gang headed by Churula Mani (Manikandan Achary).
The fights between Mani, Sulfi, and their gang members keep the first half engaged.
Interestingly Mani’s father and Sulfi’s father were friends. Hyder Ali (Harisree Ashokan), father of Sulfi, is an old-time sand smuggler.
Though they know sand smuggling isn’t a business with virtue, they stay in this business for easy money.
Meanwhile, Sulfi’s love interest Lakshmi (Sona Olickal) isn’t happy with his sand smuggling business. But Sulfi doesn’t want to quit.
One day, Sulfi gets into a tiff with the police. The twist in the story comes with Circle Inspector Rajeev (Renjith) having a personal issue with Hyder Ali and revealing it would be a spoiler.
However, the script fails to convey the reason for this personal issue.
Now, Rajeev tries to seek revenge by taking Sulfi into custody. But the hero is supposed to win! So, what happens to this revenge story is the crux of Kadakan.
Nirmal Palazhi as Bappu in ‘Kadakan’. (Supplied)
One of the major highlights of the movie is its setting — Nilambur and other areas in the Malappuram district.
Most of the characters speak in the Malappuram dialect. Debutant director Shajil Mampad should be applauded for setting the film and crafting the story around the life of the common people in this region.
The songs by Gopi Sunder make a powerful impact on the audience in theatre.
The huge set erected near the temple for the festival, where people from all religions participate, is impressive.
Kadakan has many night sequences as the sand smuggling happens in the dark and they are picturised well.
A major issue with Kadakan is the lack of detail in some characters. Rajeev’s character needs a strong backstory, which the director fails to provide.
The rivalry between the police and the sand mafia is common. But a police officer taking issues personally needed some explanation, which is not presented in the film.
Being a debut movie, the director incorporates many elements. As a result, some scenes in the first half are irrelevant.
The film lacks a realistic approach, which is trending now. But that’s not a major disadvantage.
Sarath Sabha in ‘Kadakan’. (Supplied)
Kadakan will surely give a break to Hakeem Shahjahan, who gives his best as Sulfi.
His mannerisms and action scenes have come out well.
Harisree Ashokan, as Hyder Ali, plays an important role in the story and does justice to it. The ace comedian has been doing serious roles of late.
Jaffer Idukki, as Musthafa — Hyder Ali’s friend and illegal sand supplier, shows peculiar characteristics. His scenes with Harisree Ashokan and Hakeem Shahjahan are brilliant.
Sona Olickal, as Lakshmi, does not get much screen space but is good.
Manikandan Achary’s Churula Mani is not a challenging character for the talented actor.
Renjith, as CI Rajeev, is impressive. He made a mark in Malayalam cinema with his negative roles in noted films Rajamanickam (2005) and Chandrolsavam (2005).
Sarath Saba, Nirmal Palazhi, and Bipin Nedumpulli have done their part well.
Kadakan is an appreciable attempt by debutant director Sajil Mampad. A taut script would have helped it pack a punch.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
Apr 30, 2024
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