‘Kadha Innuvare’ Review: A Heartfelt Tapestry of Love Stories Lacking Originality.

“Kadha Innuvare” is a watchable film, thanks in large part to Jomon T John’s impressive cinematography and the captivating performances of Biju Menon and Methil Devika.

The opening credits of Vishnu Mohan’s “Kadha Innuvare” feature romantic moments from films starring icons like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Suresh Gopi, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, showcasing a timeline from the 1980s to the last decade. Among these, the touching lines about love delivered by Biju Menon in “Pranayavarnangal” (1998) stand out. This nostalgic introduction sets the stage for a film that weaves together four love stories that cross boundaries of age, religion, and social class.

We soon meet Ramachandran (played by Biju Menon), a 49-year-old peon at a government office. Unmarried and often the subject of lighthearted teasing about his single life, he navigates his days with a sense of acceptance. The plot thickens with the arrival of Lekshmi (Methil Devika), a newly appointed higher-ranking official in the same office.

A widow with a 20-year-old daughter, Lekshmi forms a friendship with Ramachandran that gradually deepens into a romantic connection. The idea of discovering love or experiencing second chances later in life isn’t a new theme in Malayalam cinema. This concept was beautifully portrayed in Anoop Sathyan’s “Varane Avashyamund” (2020), which also explored varying social backgrounds through the relationship of Shobana and Suresh Gopi.

“Kadha Innuvare” further unfolds three other intertwined narratives: one involving middle school students in a rural setting in Palakkad, another featuring a dominant male and a strong-willed girl in Alappuzha, and a third story about a bar worker and a sex worker in a high-range area.

Hakim Shahjahan and Anusree give solid performances in the segment set in the high-range area, but unfortunately, Nikhila Vimal and Anu Mohan’s acting doesn’t quite hit the mark. Additionally, the writing in the story set in the communist stronghold of Alappuzha feels rather uninspired. Vishnu’s adapted screenplay attempts to highlight the struggles people face in their romantic lives with a sense of empathy. However, the portrayal lacks the depth found in the original, where the characters were presented with much more complexity.

Even with its flaws, “Kadha Innuvare” manages to captivate audiences over its two-hour runtime, thanks in large part to its stunning cinematography and the chemistry between the lead actors, Biju and Devika. While Biju seems to coast through his role as a man struggling with love, Devika compensates with her expressive eyes, even if her delivery of lines falls a bit short. In contrast to the raw and rustic feel of the Telugu version, Jomon T John’s visuals in “Kadha Innuvare” present a vibrant and colorful experience, showcasing the diverse landscapes of Kerala.

Film: Kadha Innuvare

Director: Vishnu Mohan

Cast: Biju Menon, Methil Devika, Nikhila Vimal, Anu Mohan, Anusree, Hakim Shahjahan

Rating: 2.5/5