KUMKI is Visually enchanting and emotionally connecting 

by Kannan Vijayakumar (Visitor Review)

After achieving a humongous success with the emotionally spellbinding Mynaa, Prabhu Solomon strikes back with a bigger idea. With D.Imman’s soundtrack proving to be phenomenal hit, Kumki has raised its expectation bar to its highest. 

Kumki is a term used to describe specially trained elephants that safeguard the crops and chase away stray, violent elephants back to their forest. When Aadhi Kaadu village is terrorized by such rogue elephant, they request for a Kumki elephant to safeguard their village. However, when the Kumki trainer gets held up, Bomman a carefree mahout, agrees to help his friend by disguising his elephant, Maanickam, as a Kumki elephant to cover for two days. However, when he sees Alli, the daughter of the Aadhi Kaadu’s chieftain, he falls in love instantly and decides to extend his stay. But little did Bomman know about the lurking danger.      

Story – Screenplay 

Prabhu Solomon is an expert when it comes to portraying a love story in the backdrop of forest. He makes no mistake in bringing out the feel good factor be it with the dialogues or the cinematography.  He constantly explores the self-centred society much like in Myna, Lee and Kokki. The way Prabhu Solomon has handled the elephant is magnificent. The friendship is captured very poetically; especially the casual scenes involving them such as Bomman’s pull ups on the tusk looks fresh. He also captures the nativity of the village custom perfectly with apt costumes and excellent choices of set designs.  His taste of location is visually remarkable, transporting the audience into a new world.

On the downside, it is very hard for anyone not to compare Myna and Kumki at some point of time when watching and if that happens, it gives way to some disappointment. Firstly, Kumki lacks the edginess it deserves, especially as a romantic thriller; it does not get gripping until the pre-interval scene.

Casting & Performance

Vikram Prabhu does not shows any sign of a newcomer, carrying his tortuous character in a compelling manner. His physique and dialogue delivery are apt as a mahout. With right choices of movies, Vikram Prabhu is sure to crave his name in the top lists of upcoming actors. Lakshmi Menon brings the softness needed which is the opposite to the wild side of Bomman. With her expressive eyes, she conveys her emotions effectively. Thambi Ramaiah continues from where he left off at Myna with his amusing one liners and excellent comic timing. Even though his comments on the dangers of the forests become repetitive after a while, his exceptional chemistry with Prabhu Solomon is visible.

Ashwin Raja who gave a decent entry through Boss Engira Baskaran, compliments Thambi Ramaiah instantly with his puzzled persona. After a while we tend to enjoy their duo much like ‘Goundamani and Senthil’. Kumki also has a huge line up of debutants along with the key actors.

Music and Technicality

Kumki is no doubt a visual extravaganza with the deep forests area being captured so soothingly by the cinematographer Sukumar. His soft lens makes the film visually poetic. The interesting angles he shoots the vicious Komban, will surely infringe a deep fear into the audiences.

D.Imman’s music moves most part of the story. The wild trumpet sounds elevates the giantness of the elephants. The BGM gels well with the film giving a natural sound for the entire film. Even though, the film’s flow does get hindered by too many songs, Imman’s graceful tunes make us forgive the tiring placements. Art designer Vairabalan needs a special mention for bringing the nativity so beautifully on the screen. Anyone who sees Kumki, will yearn to stay in the village houses. In overall, the technical department have given a tremendous boost to Kumki with their passionate work.

Bottomline

With dream like visuals, spellbinding music and top notch performances, Myna fame Prabhu Solomon has yet again touched the emotional core of the audiences in his next fare. Kumki is definitely a daring attempt which is no doubt another feather in the director's hat.

Visitor Rating:  4/5