Film- Kanni
Director-Mayon Siva Thorapadi
Cast-Ashwini Chandrasekhar, Manimaran, Thara Krish,Ram Bharathan, Jahnavi,Mathamma Velmurugan.
Set in a hamlet in a mountainous terrain, the plot chronicles the life of Sembi a young tribal woman who had to flee the place when her family was killed and she hounded. Sembi returns years later to reclaim the legacy of her ancestors, a basket that held the secret of the healing methods her family had been practicing since generations.
The debutant director touches on the relevance of traditional healing methods like Sidha, and the ill effects of Western medicines. Weaved in is corporate greed, where a coterie tries to turn the holistic system of treatment into a lucrative business. A crime angle that generates violence and gore becomes a part of the plotline. But unfortunately the scenario is shallow, sans depth, the scenes of the interlinking lacking an organic flow.
The director uses fantasy and magical realism to add a captivating layer to the narrative. Like the ‘magical’ basket with its secrets, and the strange visions that appear to Sembi in her dreams and in her wakeful state. These imageries shot in black and white, generate a surreal feel.
What is appreciable is the characterisation of Sembi as this tribal woman, strong in body and mind, who would go to any length to protect her legacy and her family. The action scenes where she takes on her detractors, is well choreographed and well enacted, Ashwini fitting in suitably as the fearless spunky woman.
The supporting cast of Mathamma as Senqanti the matriarch of Sembi’s family and the protector of the secret basket, and Tharra Krish and Manimaran as Neelima and Vedan, Sembi’s brother and sister-in- law, infuse life in their respective characters. Ram Bharathan who debuts as an actor on Tamil screen, cuts a menacing figure as the thug working for the corporate network. Only, at times in his enthusiasm he tends to go overboard in his expressions and gestures.
‘Kanni’ (127 minutes ) is a case of good intention gone haywire!
Malini Mannath
Malini Mannath 