KO Movie Review – A Summer Treat

KO MOVIE REVIEW

Cast: Jeeva, Ajmal Ameer, Karthika Nair, Piaa Bajpai, Prakash Raj, Kota Srinivasa Rao
Production: Kumar, Jayaraman
Direction: K.V.Anand
Music: Harris Jayaraj
Cinematography: Richard Nathan
Editing: Anthony

K.V. Anand – Jeeva duo has come up with a brisk summer entertainer ‘KO’, which has everything from action, adventure, humour, political gymnastics and romance to satisfy all kinds of audience.

Kudos to director K.V Anand, the former photo journalist who has handled the complicated working nature of the journalists in an interesting manner with enough twists and turns. His own experiences in his previous career has come really handy.

STORY LINE

Ko is the story of the entwined lives of an adventurous, honest, astute photo journalist Ashwin (Jeeva) and an aspiring young politician Vasanthan Perumal(Ajmal). Ashwin happens to be a a photo journalist with the Dina Anjal Tamil daily, and is the sought-after lensman in his newspaper for his images speak a thousand words and bring awareness. He is literally trampled on by Renuka Narayanan (Karthika), the chief reporter for Dina Anjal, who has been newly transferred from Madurai.  There’s also bubbly Saro (Piaa Bajpai), who happens to be another reporter, and has a soft spot for Ashwin.

Vasanthan Perumal is a symbol of modern Indian youth who believes in clean politics. He is the embodiment of all that is necessary to turns politics around but he lacks public support and finances

There’s Alavandhan (Kota Sreenivasa Rao), leader of the opposition party, who washes his hands discretely with dettol once he touched a baby, and tries to marry a 13-year old because his horoscope predicts a great future if he does.

Then there is a power-lust Chief Minister Yogeswaran (Prakashraj), who sets the ball rolling.

A battle begins in Tamil Nadu as Assembly elections are announced. It becomes a direct war between Chief Minister Yogeswaran and opposition leader Alavandan As typical politicians, as they are portrayed, they do everything under the sun to come to power.

Ashwin, impressed with Vasanthan’s ethics, begins to do everything he can to throw the spotlight on his newfound friend, and a third force led by Vasanthan emerges as the front-runner. Fellow journalists Renuka and Saroalso get sucked into Vasanthan’s political aspirations and election campaigns.

Of course, just when it seems like everything might fall into place, disaster strikes. At an election rally of Vasanthan, a bomb goes off killing Saro. Vasanthan goes on to win the polls.

Now the onus falls on Ashwin and Renuka to find the real culprits behind the attack. Get ready to watch an unpredictable climax.

CAST REVIEW

Jeeva stands out as Ashwin. He looks a typical photojournalist. He’s had a ball with the camera, clicking shots in almost impossible situations and making sure his trademark effervescence is present at all times. His body language and dialogue delivery are worth a watch. An intense performar, Jeeva pulls it off with ease.

Ajmal is equally good. He is a perfect choice to play an aspiring politician – his looks, build and dialogue delivery elevates the character he plays. In fact, his role clocks in almost as many minutes as Jeeva’s himself.

Its Piaa, however, who happens to be the surprise package. She does the part of the bubbly enthusiast well.

The same goes for the striking Karthika, yesteryear actress Radha’s daughter. She brings out the nuances needed for the role well. With her dark eyes and well-made up face, she displays a confidence in front of the camera that makes you forget she’s debuting in Tamil.

The veterans Prakash Raj and Kota Srinivasa Rao have played their part well. You wish they had been given more screen space.

Harris Jayaraj’s numbers are already chartbusters but Yennamo Yedho is obviously the pick of the lot.

Yennamo Yedho, Amali Thumali and Venpaniya songs are visual treats from cinematographer Richard.

POSITIVE POINTS

The film making is nearly flawless and excels in places where he brings in slice of life incidents to invoke humor. The events that hold the film together are fresh and albeit a straight forward story, it offers some interesting twists and turns that makes the audience eager for more.

Jeeva’s acting – once again proves that he is a versatile actor.

Dialogues are one of the strong points in the film. Writer duo Suba have come up with the screenplay in conjunction with the director, as well the dialogues. And to give credit where it’s due, much of it sparkles with wit, humour and targets today’s issues straight on the head.

Harris Jayaraj is another hero. His smooth and catchy tunes coupled with racy background score peps up the proceedings.

Editor Anthony is the star, though: the shots flip by at amazing speed or linger as necessary, and he’s shown an instinctive understanding of them which helps the story.

NEGATIVE POINTS

The narration of the film is a bit slow and at times you do, feel that the placement of some of the numbers hamper proceedings, making the audience impatient for the scenes to resume.

Though K V Anand’s screenplay moves swiftly during the first half, courtesy the dialogues, it lags slightly in the second.

Cinematic liberties are allowed but the director has slightly overdone it. The very beginning where Jeeva does somersaults in his bike to capture photos is an overdose of cinematic liberty.

VERDICT

K.V Anand has proved his mettle again coming with intense thrillers with great detailing. The deadlines, pressure and the desire to break out new stories that is driving the scribes, are well captured. The film manages to do one very crucial thing: it evokes your sentiments. You feel empathy, rage, helplessness, and triumph at every step of the way with the journalists. The twist in climax is the biggest plus.

KO – A Summer Treat!!!