I am writing this review after a long time.. The movie released in 2003 and its 2006 now.. But never mind. There are people who watch films after 4-5 years on DVD. I have watched many old films in recent times on DVD/VHS/VCD. Let me come to the review of Kaakha Kaakha, one of the brilliantly scripted films in Tamil Cinema by a director who is ready to take the mantle from Mani Ratnam as the next class director in Tamil Cinema.
Story: Life of a cop! Anbuselvan is a ACP (Assistant Commissioner of Police) and he has a gang of friends (who are police officers too). Anbu is a lone man to begin with and is sincere towards his profession and is a tough policeman. Enters Maya, the love of his life and everything around Anbu changes soon. Maya brings love in Anbu’s life and also a lot of brightness in his life (his life has always been dark and lonely). Then enters the dreaded Pandya who wants avenge his brother’s death on Anbu (Anbu and his gang killed Pandya’s criminal brother). Pandya kidnaps Maya and tortures her. How Anbu saves Maya and captures Pandya forms the rest of the story.
Cinematography: AWESOME! Some of the best used techniques in Tamil Cinema. The cinematography is of the highest standards. RD Rajashekar who is now very popular in Tamil Cinema had created magic with his picturisations. No one can forget the Uyirin Uyire song.
Music: Harris is magical when with Gautham! Minnale is still Harris’s best ever album! With Kaakha Kaakha, Harris continues his onscreen romance with Gautham. The songs are bumper hits, with Uyirin Uyire being the best of the lot. Ondra Rends is sung superbly and is well composed too (though it was originally used in Rehna Hai Tere Dil Mein which was the Hindi remake of Minnale).
Singing: Bombay Jayashree sings Ondra Renda with full vigor. She is a great singer and her songs with Harris-Gautham "Vaseegara" and "Ondra Rends" are of the classic type! Others do a gr8 job too!
Jeevan: His career was made with Kaakha Kaakha. That dreaded criminal who terrorizes us with his looks, man this guy performed in superb fashion in this film. This is what you call vilany. Gautham gave him an apple of a role and Jeevan used it stunningly.
Jyothika: I will miss you Jo when you retire from movies after your marriage with Surya on September 11, 2006. What should I do to make you continue acting? I am ready to do anything! The whole Tamil fraternity will miss your acting. No one can forgot your contribution to Tamil Cinema. Its going to be really sad if you dont act anymore.
Anyways, brilliant job by JO in this film. her onscreen chemistry with Surya is unfortunately AWESOME (I hate to say this, but I have to say this)!! The scene where she says "Kadhalikkaren, truly, deeply, madly" is superb. Her dialogues pack a punch. She is a truly great actress.. Enna Jo kanna, typing out this is almost bringing tears in my eyes. Dont leave the industry da! Plz da!
Surya: The biggest villian in my life! He is somewhat responsible for my darling Jo quitting Tamil Cinema. but truly, his performance in this film is earth shattering. He has lived the role of Anbuselvan. His physique, his body language, his dialogues, his acting, everything is perfect in this film. When he carried Jo and uttered those dialogues in the end, I got a drop of tear in my eyes.
Direction: The true hero of the film, Gautham Menon! Tamil Cinema is lucky to have got such directors who make such engrossing films. Gautham has given importance to eveery aspect in this film. I have to watch VV but I am sure it will be very good too. I am a huge fan of Gautham and hereafter I wont miss any of his films. If I get a chance, I would love to watch his films FDFS (First day first show).
Overall: 5/5 (EXCELLENT)
Best Scenes:
Opening sequence and Uyirin Uyire song
The lift scene where Surya and Jo meet
Jo’s confession of her love for Surya
The tactical plan by Surya to surprise Pandya who comes to attack Surya.
Daniel Balaji’s scenes in the end where he shoots himself when he sees his wife’s head in a box
MANY MORE! Can keep on saying!