Kadha Innuvare review: Biju Menon and Methil Devika excel in this romantic drama

Despite being a regular love story, the treatment makes Vishnu Mohan's latest directorial leave a mark on audiences.

ByArjun Ramachandran

Published:Sep 20, 2024

A poster of the film Kadha Innuvare

Kadha Innuvare (Malayalam)

19-09-2024, Romantic Drama, 2 hours 8 minutes U
Theatre
  • Main Cast:Biju Menon, Methil Devika, Vimala Raman, Anu Mohan, and Hakim Shahjahan
  • Director:Vishnu Mohan
  • Producer:Jomon T John, Vishnu Mohan, and Shameer Mohammed
  • Music Director:Aswin Aryan
  • Cinematography: Jomon T John

Rating

2.5/5

Yet another week, and yet another love story. This Friday, 20 September, it is director Vishnu Mohan’s romantic tale—Kadha Innuvare.

The Methil Devika and Biju Menon-starrer is set in different periods and in various parts of Kerala. A film laced with many subplots, it manages to pack a surprise for its audience, all thanks to Vishnu Mohan who also penned the script.

Despite being a regular love story, the treatment makes Kadha Innuvare leave a mark.

Synopsis

Ramachandran (played by Biju Menon) is a peon at the government-run Geology department in Trivandrum. Methil Devika, a single mother to a teenage daughter, is his superior officer who gets transferred to Trivandrum.

This acts as the premise for the love story between Ramachandran and Malathy, who share a similar thought process.

There comes a point in the film when Ramachandran and Methil Devika make an important decision in their lives. The latter’s daughter initially opposes it but eventually stands by them, underscoring their unity.

While the subplots give the impression of time travel, the characters are carefully etched out, making the audience root for them.

For instance, the way Biju Menon’s Ramachandran, who hails from Palakkad with a backstory, is an interesting character. Similarly, Malathy is shown as a single mother who longs for companionship, adding layers to her role.

Will the duo get married? What obstacles do they face in the process?—form the crux of Kadha Innuvare.

Also Read: Sexual harassment: Jayasurya returns to Kerala, says truth will prevail

Highlights

Nikhila Vimal in Kadhal Innuvare

Nikhila Vimal in ‘Kadhal Innuvare’. (Supplied)

Kadha Innuvare boasts unique storytelling, which keeps the viewers hooked to their seats till the end.

The script focuses on the rooted religious practices, which influence the character played by Ramachandran. He is known by different names at different periods. But his whereabouts are kept under wraps till the climax, which adds an element of tension and thrill to the happenings on screen.

The movie is set in the present, the 90s, and other eras. The dialogues are written to suit the periods. Certain conversations from the old times come across as cringe for today’s audience, but the makers chose to keep it realistic. Sadly, this doesn’t help the movie.

The characters of Nikhila Vimal and Anushree (Uma and Naseema respectively) are connected with Ramachandran’s backstory, which piques the curiosity of viewers. Revealing more would be a spoiler now.

Even though Kadha Innuvare is billed as a new-age romantic drama, the rendering of dialogues and emotions showcased by the characters draws several references from old films.

Interestingly, the director hints at such moments through the title cards and dialogues from superhit romantic films likeNamukku Parkkan Munthirithoppukal (1986), Summer in Bethlehem (1998), etc.

The cinematography by Jomon T John, who is also one of the producers, is another major highlight of the movie.

Biju Menon is the show-stealer

A still from the film Kadhal Innuvare

A still from the film ‘Kadhal Innuvare’. (Supplied)

Biju Menon is the star of Kadha Innuvare. He is effortless while emoting Ramachandran.

Methil Devika, a well-known classical dancer, debuted as the leading lady in this movie. She is equally good as Biju Menon and does justice to her role.

Hakim Shahjahan is another performer in the movie. His subtle performance as a man in love with a prostitute tugs the hearts of audiences.

Nikhila Vimal, as Uma, delivers a fine performance along with Anu Mohan. Anushree, too, is impressive.

Also Read: KFPA mandates remuneration contracts for payments exceeding ₹1 lakh

Final take

Kadha Innuvare is a romantic tale with fine performances by Biju Menon and Methil Devika. However, it needed a more refined treatment.

(Views expressed here are personal)

(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)

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