Recently released on Netflix, the Indian Malayalam language movie ‘Kaapa’ takes viewers on a pulse-racing journey into the gritty and dangerous world of gang culture in the city of Thiruvananthapuram. Written by G.R. Indugopan and directed by Shaji Kailas, the movie tells the story of a seemingly normal couple, Anand (Asif Ali) and Binu (Anna Ben), whose lives are turned upside down when they are unexpectedly pulled into the middle of a deadly gang war. The movie starts off with an intriguing premise as a police officer enters the couple’s home for a ‘routine’ visit, only to inform them that Binu is being mistaken for the head of a notorious gang because of her family background and typically male-sounding name. This sets the stage for a thrilling and suspenseful story that unfolds through Anand’s naive perspective as an IT engineer who is new to this world. Determined to clear his wife’s name, Anand sets out on a dangerous journey to uncover the truth and seek justice. As he delves deeper into the city’s criminal underworld, he finds himself caught in a web of lies, corruption, and deceit. He meets the city’s most powerful gangster, Kotta Madhu (Prithviraj), and his wife Prameela (Aparna Balamurali) in an attempt to clear his wife’s name. But as he becomes more entrenched in the city’s criminal world, Anand finds himself in a race against time to save his wife and himself from the dangers that threaten to consume them both. And unwittingly, Ananda also finds himself engulfed in the war between two rival gangs, where he has to bear the consequences of his involvement.

As an action thriller, Kaapa has plenty of twists and turns in its screenplay that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats throughout its runtime. The plot, which starts with the introduction of a seemingly normal couple, thickens as the movie progresses, introducing the audience to the lives of its characters with interesting backstories. Even as it gives glimpses into the lives of its characters, the movie stays true to its premise and plot.

There are also some well-conceived background stories, such as one in which Madhu exploits a boy’s poor economic background to commit a crime but the movie does seem to fail to fully explore the characters it focuses on, especially with its female representation. Both Aparna Balamurali and Anna Ben, who play important roles in the movie, are underutilized and have hardly anything to do for much of the runtime. But to its credit, the movie gives a strong suggestion of a sequel right after its climax. And also promises the audience that the action will be led by the two female characters. The acting in Kaapa is top-notch, with Asif Ali delivering a powerhouse performance as the determined Anand and Prithviraj Sukumaran delivering a chilling and multi-faceted portrayal of the ruthless Kotta Madhu. Among the movie’s many characters, Madhu stands out as particularly complex and intriguing. On one hand, he is a villainous force to be reckoned with, but on the other, we see glimpses of a more vulnerable and even sympathetic side to him. As the movie progresses, our understanding of Madhu deepens and evolves, leading to a satisfying shift in audience perception. The movie also delves into the intricacies of the relationship between Madhu and his wife Prameela, as well as the moral dilemmas that arise from living in a world of crime and violence. Who should watch it? Kaapa is a pulse-pounding and action-packed crime drama that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats from start to finish. The powerful performances, well-crafted plot, and even pacing make it a must-see film for fans of the genre. Even if you’re not much intrigued by crime thrillers, the package is enough to lure in connoisseurs of drama. Definitely worth the watch. Rating: 4 stars Genre: Crime/thriller Actors: Prithviraj, Aparna Balamurali, Asif Ali, Anna Ben Director: Shaji Kailas Run time: 2hrs 16mins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMEI_nRoLGU&t=3s