Unique Tale With Mixed Results

BOTTOM LINE
Unique Tale With Mixed Results

RATING
2.5/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 27m

What Is the Film About?

Abhinaya Vasudev (Kiran Abbavaram) is kidnapped by a mysterious person and kept in a dark cell for interrogation. Vasudev doesn’t remember anything about his past. However, a mysterious device kept before him allows him to recollect the memories selectively.

Who is Vasudev? Why is he kidnapped? What is his story and what does the mysterious man want to know from him? The answers to all these questions form the movie’s story which involves action, romance, drama, and an unexpected twist in the tale.

Performances

Firstly, Kiran Abbavaram deserves appreciation for believing in a novel script and giving it his best. He performs well in the action episodes and tries his best in the intense scenes.

KA should be seen as a stepping stone for him to advance his career, regardless of how big or small the film performs at the box office. It is an attempt that is sure to win him goodwill, and it will reflect on his next release if he makes another genuine effort.

Nayan Sarika, who was last seen in the successful Aay, gets another similar part here. However, it is not as impactful as the previous movie, as the focus is not on the romance and therefore her. She looks alright and does decently in what she’s given.

Analysis

Sujith and Sandeep write and direct the movie. It is a unique premise with a fresh perspective on already-known tropes and elements seen in village backdrop movies.

One must watch the movie from the start. Some small happenings if missed at the start might add to confusion in the narrative which is plagued with confusion of its own.

The movie’s novelty is the back-and-forth screenplay with the mysterious person interrogating the lead. The actual content presented as part of the proceedings is as routine as it gets. We have a village, a budding romance and some mysterious happenings in the place.

When seen for what it is as a straightforward story, Ka offers nothing new. However, the screenplay is tweaked adequately to make the routine different. The letters aspect adds to it. These things keep one intrigued as one can’t second guess what happens next even though what ‘actually’ happens is nothing new.

In the initial hour, though, the mixing and switching of proceedings from past to present adds to the muddled and confusion narrative-wise. The mysterious person’s questions, the device (what it is said to do and what it does), the hero’s revelations and confessions, and so on feel a bit all over the place initially.

The first major twist in the tale occurs at the interval point. It comes just in the nick of time, as around that time, the screenplay slowly starts to come across as gimmicky and tiresome.

The second half is more action-packed and focused. Slowly things related to the main mystery are revealed. These don’t particularly stand out and are okay. The ‘Lala’ ending after all the build-up, the final mystery reveal related to the missing girls, and so on are all okay.

However, during the second half, instead of the flashback it is the present (the interrogation sequences) that gains momentum and raises curiosity. They are few, but definitely keep one glued, and then the final twist is sure to take everyone by surprise. Depending on how one takes it, Ka’s likeability factor is going to change.

Overall, Ka packs typical village-based drama tropes differently. The screenplay does the trick here. However, a final punch towards the end leaves us with mixed feelings. You’ll either like it or not, and it tilts the experience. Try it if you like to watch familiar things packed differently, but have expectations in check.

Performances by Others Actors

There is a multilingual supporting cast for Ka. We have Achyuth Kumar from Kannada, and Redin Kingsley from Tamil here, apart from the usual faces. However, they don’t get much to do as they get regular parts which we have seen them do many times before.

We also have the likes of Annapurnamma, Ajay, Saranya Pradeep etc. who appear briefly. They have nothing impactful. The rest of the cast gets much less to do.

Music and Other Departments?

Sam CS provides the music and background score. The songs go with the flow and offer nothing memorable. However, the background score is neat and elevates the routine stuff many times. An air of eeriness and spookiness is conveyed through the BGM.

The cinematography is decent. Given the backdrop, it could have been even more effective. The editing is okay. The writing is adequate and adds to the curiosity at times when it matters.

Highlights?

Basic Story Idea

Climax Twist

BGM

Screenplay

Drawbacks?

Muddled Narrative At Times

Feels Lengthy

Half-Baked Supporting Characters

Did I Enjoy It?

Yes, somewhat, if not fully, for the different attempt.

Will You Recommend It?