Kolamaavu Kokila movie review: It's a Nayanthara show all the way

Director: Nelson

Cast: Nayanthara, Yogi Babu, Saranya

Innocent and simple-looking Kokila (Nayanthara) is introduced to us at her office when she reminds her immediate boss about her hike in salary. He tells her that it can be ‘discussed’ outside the office. “If I were to ‘discuss’ about this outside office, I can as well do it with the general manager and sit in your post”, was the fitting reply from Kokila. That is ‘Kolamaavu Kokila’ for us! And the way Nayan delivers the dialogue in a casual yet assertive manner sums up her character in KK and sets the tone of the film.

Kokila belongs to a middle class family which comprises of dad Pandi (RS Sivaji) — an ATM security personnel, mom Vadivu (Saranya Ponvannan) — a housewife, and college-going younger sister Shobi (Jacqueline). All goes well until one day Vadivu is diagnosed with lung cancer. Now, Kokila needs huge money (Rs 15 lakhs) for her mom’s treatment. While her attempts to raise money prove futile, she bumps into a drug smuggling mafia. When an opportunity strikes, she gets into the drug peddling business through which she can make quick bucks. Though she looks timid and has an innocent face, she is not the one who you think can be duped or victimized. If need arises, she would never hesitate to kill her detractors. How Kokila makes her clever moves and steers clear of the cunning criminals whilst threatening the cops and attain her goals forms the rest of KK.

It is Nayanthara all the way and she shines every bit. Due credit to debutant director Nelson for making her character so dynamic and organic. Nayan never even raises her voice nor performs any macho stunts; yet she brings out the mass moments with her effortless performance. Yogi Babu as Shekar, who falls for Kokila and proposes to her, brings the roof down with his hilarious lines. He is in full form. Despite her repetitive act, Saranya does manage to impress. Motta Rajhendran is also there. Other supporting cast including Saravanan, Anbudasan (LK), Retin (Tony), Anand (Anand), Aranthangi Nisha and Vadivel Balaji do their bit well.

There is a lot of quirky moments in this dark comedy and much of the hilarity comes from unexpected instants. The first half is entertaining with the director sticking to his genre, treating even the darkest situations with humor. However, in the second half, the film meanders a bit without any solid comic relief and the climax is also unconvincing.

With Anirudh’s songs already being chartbusters, his mind-blowing background score is the mainstay in the film. Sivakumar Vijayan’s cinematography aids the film’s narration. Though there are minor glitches, considering the several major pluses, KK is a film that’s worth a watch!