Kabadi Kabadi Malayalam Movie
Let's begin with a word of caution. Kabadi Kabadi is not for the cynic or the prejudiced because you are sure to be disappointed and disillusioned. But if you just want to pass time and don't expect too much out of a Mukesh-Kalabhavan Mani-starrer directed by two debutantes, go on and watch the movie. It won't be a total let down.
Kabadi Kabadi tells the story of Vijayan and Madhavankutty, sons of the Late Mampilly Rajashekharan, who once was a Police Officer. While Madhavankutty is the son of Rajashekharan's legally married wife, Vijayan was born out of wedlock. The two have been constantly at war with each other.
Since Rajashekharan had accepted Vijayan as his son and since the latter had been given the right to light the funeral pyre in the event of his father death, Madhavankutty had always been angry with him. He refused to acknowledge Vijayan as his brother and even insulted Vijayan's mother whenever he got an opportunity.
Vijayan has Biju and Komalan as his aides, while Madhavankutty's aides were Ramesan and Basheer. Chitrangadan, the former Panchayath President and his wife Sarala the present Panchayath President, support Madhavankutty against Vijayan.
Meanwhile there is an annual Kabadi tournament held in memory of Mampilly Rajashekharan. Madhavankutty had always won the tournament. Vijayan wants to win it desperately at least once, by hook or by crook.
In the meantime Viswanathan, a retired judge and Sarala's brother, comes to stay in the village. Madhavankutty and Vijayan, who both are awaiting appointment as Police Officers, happen to see Viswanathan's identical twin daughters Sneha and Pooja. While Vijayan falls in love with Sneha, Madhavankutty falls in love with Pooja, little knowing that Viswanathan has two daughters. This results in them seeing one another as rivals in love too. What all happens then forms the rest of the plot.
There are of course loose ends in the script that make most of the scenes look rather flimsy, especially in the second half of the movie. While Mukesh is good as Vijayan (though he falters occasionally), there are many scenes in which Kalabhavan Mani (as Madhavankutty) seems to be overdoing things. Rambha as Sneha and Pooja are OK. Mani C. Kaapan as Viswanathan is good, though he too falters at certain places.
Bheeman Reghu as Chitrangadan is his usual self and does his role convincingly. Suraaj Venjaramoodu as Ramesan, Jaffer Idukki as Komalan, Indrans as Basheer and Harisri Ashokan as Biju don't deliver anything that is not expected of them. The rest of the cast is just passable.
As for the songs, "Minnaminungey…" is good, but may not make much of an impact. One fails to understand why directors (or producers) are so keen on including a Kalabhavan Mani-rendered song in every film in which he plays a lead role? The song "Maththaappu..." rendered by him in his usual style and filmed on him could have been avoided.
There are many scenes that are unconvincing. While retired judge Viswanathan is said to be having high-profile enemies all across the country, the people who appear towards the end of the film claiming to be his enemies appear more like caricatures.
There's nothing much to be said about the technical aspects. The script is just average. The writers seem to have had no realistic idea of the actors' capabilities and limitations while penning the script. That goes for the directors too. Why else is Kalabhavan Mani made to utter English and Hindi dialogues that don't suit his kind of dialogue delivery?
To sum up it can be said that both the subject and the cast could have been better utilized to create an entertainer, but poor scripting and inept direction led it off the track especially in the post-interval part. Watch the film if you have nothing else to do.
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