O.P.160/18 Kakshi: Amminippilla

A good movie... Simple, thought-provoking, and funny!

Kakshi: Amminippilla (Litigant Amminipilla (given Malayali name)) aims high and strikes a few right chords as it lectures on fat shaming (Thamasha (2019) did it better), forced arranged marriages where the uniting parties don't even meet each other till the day of marriage, the state of marriage law (Hindu Marriage Act) and law in general in India, the struggle of individuals when it comes to finding the right partner, and the myopic decisions taken by individuals in the matters of love, romance, marriage, and bonding but it just didn't work for me mainly due to the scattered, messy screenplay and borderline mockery of courtroom dynamics which is used to create unfunny humor despite the stunning performance by newcomer Fara Shibla. TN.

Court room drama can be daunting and sometimes exciting but to make a movie with court room as being the basic premise and keeping a smile on your face throughout the narrative must be tagged as winner. This movie has two story beautifully amalgamated together which engages the audience.

This flick is about a man who wants divorce due to multiple reasons of his own and to fight his case comes an advocate who wants to get a political power. The entire court room drama is realistic and also the pain felt by man acted by Ahmed Shidique dwell you into his life. The innocence of Ahmed makes you root for his character. The dialect of Thalassery adds a rustic charm to the entire narrative.

This tells the story about an arranged marriage which was done hastily. The groom is gloomy and the bride is heavy. The groom wants a divorce after a devotional honeymoon to pazhani ( who goes to pazhani for a honeymoon?) With the whole family. Perfect settings for a grumbling. Rest of the story revolves around this with Asif Ali thrown into the mix who more a politician than a lawyer ( he is not convincing in either character) who has a change of heart after all his ambition (read publicity) is achieved. Seems the makers only interest was thalassery and the slang. All else fails flat with body shaming and attitudes taking the brunt. Do what may your wife will want you, eat the food prepared by your wife for some time you will be a new loving husband.... can't even phantom what the makers wanted to achieve with this story line... Asif Ali as an actor is still in salt& pepper days. Ahmed sidhique ( k. T. Mirash fame)has done a decent job.

A simple comedy featuring some subtle but brilliant acting, Ammini Pilla delivers a good message without sounding philosophical and preachy like many recent releases. Although Asif Ali is in fine form, it is Fara Shibla who plays Kanthi that steals the show alongside Ahmed Sidhique who plays the titular Ammini Pilla.

Fara shows no signs of being a debutant, captivating us right from the first scene she is in, instantly making the audience root for her plight with her subtle mannerisms and expressive eyes. A great film, one of the finest comedies in recent years. Great job from debutant director Dinjith Ayyathan!