Kanchana Movie Review

Behind the Movie Kanchana: Choreographer turned director Raghava Lawrence already surprised us with a thriller ‘Muni.’ Now comes sequel ‘Kanchana.’ With hot Lakshmi Rai and special appearance from Sarath Kumar, let us see how far Lawrence was able to shock you?

In the Movie Kanchana: Raghava (Lawrence) is a tapori young guy scared of darkness and ghosts. He is a good cricketer living with brother (Sriman), sister-in-law or Vadina (Mano Bala) and mother (Kovai Sarala). While searching for a new ground to play cricket with his team, Raghava enters into a disturbing place where problems start. He brings home a family of three ghosts unknowingly which become scary. In this mean time, Raghava’s younger sister-in-law (Lakshmi Rai), a model enters the house and obviously romance begins.  

Raghava starts to behave as a lady/eunuch wearing saris, bathing with haldi, wearing bangles. Dismayed by his behavior, Kovai Sarala approaches a Muslim Peer to confirm that Raghava’s body is invaded by three ghosts. When Peer brings out one of the ghosts, here comes the flashback. 

Karthik (Sarath Kumar) is a transgender (Hizra or Eunuch) thrown away by parents. With help of an old Muslim Baba, he changes to ‘she’ renaming as Kanchana working for the welfare of eunuchs. Kanchana adopts one more eunuch and admits her into doctor course. Time when Kanchana saves Rs.25 Lakhs to construct a hospital for poor, local MLA (Devan) encroaches upon this land, killing Kanchana and her entire family. All three dead bodies are buried in the same land. 

This is the exact land where Raghava goes to play cricket and is caught by the evil spirit of Kanchna whose ambition is to kill MLA and his family. How did Kanchana accomplish the task using the body of Raghava forms climax?

Values of the Movie Kanchana: Character of Ragahava was routine one for Lawrence while he scored distinction for portraying the terror filled Kanchana. Mannerisms are quite well caught with in his own direction. Climax song is where Lawrence was powerful n spooky. Hot Lakshmi Rai was cornered only forthe sake of songs. Kovai Sarala was too loud and can be called cacophonic. Sarath Kumar’s performance as Hizra is touching, throwing light on the social stigma of this community.    

Technicalities wise direction of Lawrence most of the time succeeded in keeping the audience in attention. Story and scripting is similar to ‘Muni’ but Raghava made minor changes to introduce anxiety factor on the screen. Dialogues are not great without any lip sync. Being a dubbing movie, Lawrence should have taken care of these minor issues. Music by Thaman is babbling in background and songs wise unimpressive. Production values of Bellamkonda are okay.

Out of the Movie Kanchana: Strictly speaking Kanchana is no different from Muni. Only difference we find is a better execution from Lawrence this time added with a social issue around Eunuchs that gave scope for a better performance. 

First half an hour is filled with Arava Athi which is unbearable especially in comedy episodes of Kovai, Lawrence, Mano Bala. Episodes of Lawrence taking Kovai to bath room, Mano Bala and Kovai scared of each other are peaks of frustration. Till second half, Kanchana does not actually enter into main story. Interval block was picturized well. Once the second half begins, Lawrence went on to show comedy mixed horror scenes. Entry of Sarath Kumar raised the pitch and climax is regular but drafted with grip and perfection. 

Over all Kanchana have its own plus points in the form of few thrilling moments in first half and second half. It is second half that will gel well with mass audience in B & C centers. Commercially this project has already provided table profit for Bellamkonda. Obviously he can expect for more profits to flow in as there is enough space at BO with no substantial releases in future.

Actual release date of movie is tomorrow that is 15th. Confidence of Bellamkonda and Lawrence made them to screen special premier for press today (14th) morning. Looks as if, their confidence is going to work out this time. Lawrence even shocks you with delcaration of 'Muni 3' to follow soon.

Cinejosh Verdict of the Movie Kanchana: Better than Muni.

                                                                            Reviewed by Srivaas