Kaakkaa Muttai

To the average viewer this might just be another really good movie. But others who catch the absolutely brilliant subtext throughout the movie will thoroughly enjoy it while at the same time introspect how we never stop to contemplate the miserable inequality in the country in our busy lives(even if we are aware of it and find it woeful, visuals always remind us how bad it really is). It will definitely change the outlook of a lot of people on equality, privilege and related things.

The movie follows the life of two slum kids as they aspire to eat from the new pizza shop opened next to their home(if you can call it one). The movie captures their journey as they try to make the money needed for the pizza and the eventual turn of events. The movie beautifully captures the glaring social inequality without you having to cry through it. The movie addresses a lot of issues too in the most subtle manner. There is no dearth for humor either which makes this movie a complete package though it is a bit saddening that we need to look for humor in this movie. And all the actors have done a brilliant job. Kudos to Iyshwarya Rajesh who has gone out of her comfort zone to give a brilliant performance. As for the title you'll figure it out yourself. This is a must watch movie.

" You can not complete the Indian modern cinema panorama without considering movies from Southern India. My quest for quality cinema has taken a positive beating due to parenthood but this weekend was a lucky one where I choose to see The Crow's egg -Kaakkaa Muttai. I do not know Tamil and this review is based on subtitles.

I grew up in gateway of North East part of India ad mist the tea gardens of Darjeeling and my maternal family was from one such tea gardens. As you may know; there were lots of tribes in India and during one of these childhood visits I meet a young tribal man. I profoundly remember his name as Mongru as he befriended me as a child of 5 years old. He used to work as our part time domestic help and always had stories for me, mostly hunting. 'Mongru' had once told me that crow's meat tastes more bitter than Karela(bitter gourd). It was so yuck as a moment that I remember that line even now and writing down today. However, coming back to Kaakkaa Muttai – it puts up a grave social commentary from the angle of a cinema. The story is about two slums kids , brothers, known as elder crow and junior crow as their quest of protein (eggs) makes them steal eggs from the nest and gets them this nick name from the community kids. They dnt mind it at all and even call's their slum home as crow's egg's house.Their act is also supported by their grand mother just because she knows that family can't afford the chicken eggs. The crow brother's father is in Jail and their mother works in a factory to meet ends & legal fees for their father's bail. As life would have it, crow brothers lands up to know about Pizza which sells at INR 300 & does what it takes to have a pizza. The rest of the film is a cinematic journey about the brother's quest to eat a pizza.

What makes Kaakkaa Muttai appealing as a cinema is its undercurrent and the flows. It puts forward to you the social issues we see every day but skilfully avoid. The film does take you on the journey of the brothers and their aging grand mother for the quest of the pizza. The film exposes you to child labour, politics, media , consumerism yet it does to lecture you. The cult innocence of the poor brothers who make 10 bucks a day by picking coal off the railway tracks steals your heart.

This genre is not new & critic can indeed say that highlighting poverty does not end it. But I wondered Kaakkaa Muttai highlighted the bringing of innocence verses the social imbalance beautifully. This film did indeed remind me of I am Kalam because of close synergies of the casting of leads child actors & back drop but overall both films are brilliant and different. It's a must watch if you like to watch a good cinema & I intentionally avoided the term off beat; as this word depends on which side of fence you are really.

But then - I concluded, I thought over & now I know why 'Mongru' tasted that bitter crow's meat. It just took me thirty years to find it. Thank you Kaakkaa Muttai."

Such a special movie. Having spent some time in the slums of Mumbai and seeing the kids and how they live with constant smiles and great humour amongst incredible poverty and hardship, this movie absolutely paints a perfect picture.

It is almost impossible for the privileged westerner to contemplate their lives but this movie really takes you deep into their daily, otherwise invisible, existence. The amazing subtext of this movie is that humans can find happiness and joy even in the most miserable of situations.

Sadly, it also shows how the poor can be completely ignored and humiliated by the "haves". Even worse, they are often used for the avaricious ends of the nefarious.

Fantastic acting, direction and cinematography makes this a very special movie.

This is a must see movie. It is both entertaining and deeply educational. 10 stars!

A simple movie with a simple thought with simple direction with simple little kids' wondrous performances..

The story revolves around two little boys living in the slum and their desire to taste Pizza. Vignesh and Ramesh who portrayed Periya Kakkamuttai and Chinna Kakkamuttai delivered excellent performances throughout the movie. Ishwarya Rajesh did a good job acting as their mother (i think she in her mid 20s). Babu Antony fared well, Yogi Babu & Ramesh Thilak did their comic role in a good way..

Thanks for Simbu (after a long time in a feature film) participating in this Dhanush's small venture.

Director M. Manikandan did an exciting job with his pen as well as his actions.. His direction was top notch. The camera which captured the reality (dirty slums) but was featured in a much attractive way (We cant even see this in normal movies at all). GVP delivered a good refreshing songs and were much more apt. The background score were also too good. The making was excellent.

overall a real fresh movie sparked with Scintillating performances.

Not to be missed..

What a movie,no words to praise.Simple movie yet a lot of emotions and funny sequences.That two kiddos brilliantly acted.I liked the climax scene.I didn't expect such a climax scene.Both the kids 'Ramesh' and 'Vignesh' are outstanding and have won the National Award for their performance in the movie. 'IshwaryaRajesh' who acted as the mother of the brothers is a revelation and she reminds us those dark-talented heroines of 'BaluMahendra' films. The supporting cast of RameshThilak, 'Yogi', 'BabuAntony' are aptly cast and grab our attention. Only drawback I have noticed is the bgm's.The film lacks a catchy background music.