Keedaa Cola review: A refreshing thirst quencher from Tharun Bhascker

Director Tharun Bhascker’s much-awaited crime comedy, Keedaa Cola, is finally out in theatres on Friday, 3 November.

With much ado, let’s see how the film fares:

After losing his parents in a tragic car accident, Vaastav (Chaitanya Rao) becomes half-disabled. The Tourette Syndrome makes him paralysed as much as his wheelchair-bound grandfather Varadaraju (Brahmanandam).

He lives a mundane life along with his roommate Lancham (Raag Mayur), who makes several failed attempts at becoming an entrepreneur.

When Lancham finds a cockroach in a soft drink, the ‘keedaa’ in him comes out with some witty ideas to sue the soft drink manufacturer.

This is when Naidu (Tharun Bhascker Dhaassyam), who is just out of jail, hunts for the same bottle.

What connection does Naidu have with the bottle? What are the repercussions that Lancham would face from the CEO of a soft drinks company? — is the story.

Related: ‘Keedaa Cola’ has many real-life references: Director Tharun Bhascker

Analysis

Keedaa Cola doesn’t tell you a serious story. Only the events and eccentricism of the characters make the story serious.

Not often do you see filmmakers making a pure comedy with perfect timing to please a new-age audience! The best thing about Keedaa Cola is that it ticks all the boxes of perfect crime comedy.

It all starts with an ego flared up after a local corporator ill-treating Jeevan. Lancham comes up with an idea to make a quick fortune by planting a cockroach — the characters are in desperation to make their lives better. That’s when this estranged convict, Naidu, makes a difference.

On being released from prison, Naidu gets philosophical and wants to live a peaceful and meaningful life.

Not everyone can see the positives of one’s life as much as a bruised man like Naidu, who learns life the hard way. This is the underlying theme of the second half.

However, he doesn’t get preachy, and that’s the best part.

Related: I took three days to prep for my role in ‘Keedaa Cola’: Chaitanya Rao

Performances

Actors Chaitanya Rao and Rag Mayur have been waiting for a break for a long time.

Chaitanya Rao earns appreciation as a standalone character Vaastav, a slightly aged man struggling hard to get a bride. Vastav appears honest, probably because of the neurological disorder. Every time he tries to say something, he is stopped by voluntary tics.

Rag Mayur, on the other hand, entertains with his acting.

Jeevan Kumar, as an aspiring corporator, is funny in every frame.

Vishnu Oi seems to have scored another hit after MAD.

Tharun Bhascker delivers a remarkable performance as Naidu, who comes out reformed after serving a 20-year jail term. He should keep trying other roles in films.

The combination of Tharun, Vishnu and Jeevan works perfectly in the film.

Other characters have their importance in the film. “MTV Roadies”-fame Raghu Ram is pure fun. He plays conflict manager Shots.

Ravindra Vijay is terrific as a ruthless CEO of “Keedaa Cola”.

Also Read: Small-budget Telugu films to show their strength at BO this Diwali

Technical crafts

Music composer Vivek Sagar sets up a perfect mood for the wacky situations in the film.

Upendra Varma’s crisp editing helps the movie maintain the required pace throughout.

Cinematography by Aj Aaron does well as far as camera work is concerned. The runtime of 2 hours is the only underwhelming aspect of Keedaa Cola.

Verdict

Keedaa Cola gets more wackier in the second half with a philosophical undertone.

Tharun Bhascker’s storytelling attempts to lift the writing habit from its oldest rut, if not setting a new benchmark. Go, watch it!

(Views expressed here are personal.)