Kaanchi Movie Review

Story: The film is about two men who lead completely different lives but eventually end up confronting each other.

Kaanchi is a tale of conflict, the proverbial collision between the weak and the strong, the good and evil. In Kaanchi, the conflict is pre-destined with fate playing along with the instincts of the characters Peringodan Narayanan (Murali Gopy) and Madhavan (Indrajith).

Peringodan is a don who dabbles in astrology. He keeps a collection of horoscopes of people whom he thinks could endanger his life. Madhavan, a naive shopkeeper becomes a witness as Peringodan murders one of his foes and their paths cross. A conflict ensues which goes through the progression of a man from a weakling into a warrior and the play of fate which makes seemingly invincible persons look vulnerable in sudden flashes.

Kaanchi does offer riveting moments, but rarely. It is undone by a script that goes plainly uni-dimensional. The conflict often lacks intensity, the progression seems routine and the film slips into mundanely staged sequences that eventually run up to the ultimate face-off between the lead characters. The recurring presence of a revolver which tends to symbolise fate later becomes a tedious presence.

The lone exceptions are the lead characters. Murali Gopy kindles a sinister glint while playing Peringodan Narayanan and his utterings
have the cold tenor of a seasoned killer. Indrajith slips into the role of a diminished man for a while, a meek shop-keeper who cowers at
the sight of a gory murder. Later he graduates well, elevating his character to the realm from where he commands complete interest.

Kaanchi even throws up moments where a gifted story-teller like Jeyamohan seems doubtful of his own plot, something that hinders the
plot.