BOTTOM LINE
Authentic but Not Appealing
PLATFORM
JIO HOTSTAR
RUNTIME
5 hours
What Is the Film About?
Nimma, a Punjabi immigrant, faces racism, forcing him into Sarab’s gang. He rises quickly, but Rawat’s mole threatens their empire. Gang wars erupt, demanding Nimma’s fierce loyalty. Sarab’s arrest leaves Nimma vulnerable, surviving an attack. A coma, addiction, and betrayal follow. Sarab escapes, leading to a vengeful confrontation between him and Nimma, fuelled by chaos and loss
Performances
Parmish Verma, the popular musician, bares his heart out to portray the angst and the chaos within Nimma. However, with more effort to internalise the role, he could have created a more lasting impact. Aadar Malik, as Nimma’s on-screen bestie and musician, has an impressive screen presence, helping him emote with precision.
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Analysis
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Kanneda is an important show, capturing the immigrant experience through an insider’s lens, reminding us that Indian stories needn’t always be home-soil bound. The series serves as a cautionary tale, depicting a 90s Punjabi life in Canada gone wrong – a musician lost in drugs, crimes, and gangs. Despite everyone’s attempts to help and transform him, redemption eludes him.
There are brief glimpses of what prompted first-generation Punjabis to migrate to Canada in the 1910s besides the wounds of the partition (1947) and the infamous 1984 riots that affirmed their decision to find a new home. Many of the characters identify themselves as Punjabi Canadians who stay in touch with their roots through music, and traditions, while not having been to India for a long time.
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The story is told through two thick friends – Nimma and Daljit, the contrasting choices they make and the fate they ultimately endure. Impressively, the show understands their decisions and does not judge them for it, hinting at the casual racism they tolerate daily, their challenges of finding a livelihood, the intergenerational clashes and the angst that brings their music alive.
Despite its best attempts to avoid cliches and stay true to its backdrop, the characterisation is simplistic – there’s this immigrant who rebels but finds a way to pursue his/her path amidst the challenges and the other bad example who drowns himself in a world of crime and justifies it as a necessity. While the detailing of the drug empire is strong, the emotions just don’t hit home well.
The series throws light on the dark side to the immigrant story efficiently, how he’s caught in a web of crime where there’s no scope for return. There’s adequate focus on the notoriously novel tactics the gangs employ to sell drugs, escape the sight of cops, and the rivalries within the community due to the power struggle. Though it addresses many important issues, the execution remains superficial.
Besides the protagonists who navigate a perilous path for livelihood and live life on the edge, it showcases that the Indian officer, who’s trying to put a lid on the drug trade in the region, leads no dream existence either. There’s collateral damage in the pursuit of justice; it takes a toll on their familial and work relationships. Ultimately, it shows everyone is in some sort of a mess.
Kanneda begins with appreciable enthusiasm though loses its way in a pile of cliches due to a few writing missteps. The ideas are all there, just that it struggles to string them together. The rawness in the execution is visually appealing, the music and the raps don’t always work, and the performances remain distant. The show could be a good beginning to depict the alternate NRI story from a different timeline. It may not be perfect, but its presence is crucial.
Kanneda is a 90s immigrant story which only sparkles intermittently.
Performances by Others Actors
Arunoday Singh plays the notorious Sarabjit with brutal honesty though the character isn’t as well-etched as one would like to imagine. Zeeshan Ayyub, in the shoes of a sedate yet committed officer, continues to pick roles that expand his range as an actor. Ranvir Shorey remains in control of his character’s pitch but has done better roles than Bajwa.
Others – including Jasmin Bajwa, Navdeep Monga and Himanshi Choudhary, perform their parts with an appreciable earnestness.
Music and Other Departments?
Though Kanneda provides abundant scope to make an impact musically, the songs are underwhelming. Yet, the background score has the right amount of underplayed urgency, tension to drive the proceedings. Rajeev Ravi’s cinematography is an asset to the show (the muted colour palette works). The storytelling is all over the place, not permitting the viewer to generate any emotional connection. The 4-hour runtime could benefit from some pruning.
Highlights?
Authenticity in the backdrop
Depiction of the alternate immigrant experience
Technical finesse
Drawbacks?
Patchy storytelling, ideas don’t come together
Little emotional connection
Simplistic characterisation
Did I Enjoy It?
Only in parts
Will You Recommend It?
May only work for a niche NRI segment
Kanneda Series Review by M9
