Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya (KLTA) Review 

Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya doesn't break new ground. it's plot isn't original; the story is taken from Bhagyaraj's yesteryear classic "Indru Poi Naalai Vaa". It doesn't feature prominent actors nor director. But, it does make you laugh from start to finish even though the movie travels along the predictable lines. 

The movie has created a lot of buzz due to 3 things -- Santhanam, Power Star and recognizable title made popular by Cadburys advertisement. Will the movie meet its expectations and win the Pongal race?

Plot 

The film is about three friends who fall for the same girl. The three friends have no job other than getting drunk and chasing girls. The heroine (Vishaka) gets relocated with family to the opposite house of newcomer Sethu. The three friends fall for the same girl. To impress her, Power Star joins heroine's father to learn bharathanatyam; Santhanam joins heroine's uncle to learn singing; Sethu helps heroine's aunt (Kovai Sarala) with household work. The rest is all about who wins the girl's heart narrated in comedy filled with Santhanam style one-liners.

Santhanam

The movie's backbone is Santhanam as he carries the movie on his dependable shoulder. Santhanam has co-produced, written and probably even ghost-directed the movie. Santhanam continues to make the audience laugh with its exceptional one-liners. With the power vested in him, Santhanam could have easily gone overboard and made the same mistake that many comedians made at the peak of their careers. But, Santhanam doesn't fall for this trap. He has no qualms making fun of himself with his self-effacing humour. Santhanam has also ensured that he makes the audience laugh with his body language (e.g., the scene where he proposes his love to the heroine received great response)

Power Star Srinivasan

Santhanam's secret weapon in the movie is Power Star Srinivasan. Santhanam has capitalized extremely well the brand Power Star has built for himself. Power Star has glittery introduction which gets thundering applause in the theatre. One could not resist laughing at Power Star, no matter what he throws at you. There's something about Power Star's paradoxical qualities which click with the audience. Power Star shows good improvement in his timing as the movie progresses. Power Star has allowed Santhanam to make fun of his appearance and real-life characteristics throughout the film.

Casting

The supporting cast deserves a pat with VTV Ganesh as Carnatic singer, Kovai Sarala as heroine's mom, Devadarshini as nosy neighbour, to name just a few. The cameo by Simbu and Gautham Menon are well used as the movie enters the final climax scenes. The heroine Vishakha Singh is adequate. One of the three leads, Sethu, is just okay. 

Direction, Music and Technicalities

Director Manikandan and Santhanam have done a good job in ensuring the movie doesn't sag with its predictable storyline. Cinematographer Balasubramanyem who cranked the camera for super hit comedy movie "Oru Kal Oru Kannadi" and award-worthy "Neerparavai" has elevated this medium budget movie with his camera work. Music Director Thaman has given appropriate type of songs and background score for a comedy movie. The movie is distributed by Red Giant who has ensured the movie released with maximum number of prints domestically as well as internationally -- US, UK and Australia.  The movie has reported great opening at all locations.

Bottomline

Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya is no classic. You can have fun while it lasts. Don't go in with high expectations and you will not be let down. Kanna Laddu Thinna Aasaiya has all ingredients in right proportions to become the Pongal Winner.

Rating -