Kishkindha Kandam movie review: Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali-starrer is a brilliantly written, skillfully crafted mystery drama

Must Read | ARM movie review: A landmark film in Tovino Thomas’ career

It would be unfair to call Kishkindha Kandam a slow burner. However, it would also be inaccurate to say that it moves at the pace of a thriller. Dinjith and Bahul Ramesh, who not only crafted the movie’s story, screenplay and dialogues but also handled its cinematography, establish the right tone and tempo early on, shifting to a higher gear only when necessary. They avoid overwhelming the audience with a barrage of twists — a common practice that provides only fleeting highs. Instead, they allow Kishkindha Kandam to sink under the skin of viewers at a steady pace. What begins as a seemingly simple family drama gradually unravels as the central characters untangle the knots surrounding Appu Pillai, only to uncover even more complex ones, ultimately evolving into a larger mystery.

While Bahul allows viewers to understand the characters without turning them into complete enigmas, he reveals only just enough at all moments. At the same time, Kishkindha Kandam also refrains from overusing red herrings — aside from a few instances like the well-executed interval block — keeping the mystery intact through the careful buildup of tension. Though Kishkindha Kandam may remind some of Christopher Nolan’s Memento (2000) and Martin Scorsese’s Shutter Island (2010), the distinct differences between these films, aside from the shared theme of motivated forgetting, make the movie a compelling exploration of this concept in its own right.

Watch Kishkindha Kandam trailer here:

With meticulous attention to each scene, Dinjith showcases his evolution as a director, while also demonstrating complete mastery over his movie. His ability to draw out the best from both cast and crew is evident throughout Kishkindha Kandam, elevating the film into a unique experience. The thoughtfulness behind his approach is clear in the deliberate choices he makes — deciding which scenes warrant a background score and when to let ambient sound or silence take over, depending on the moment’s needs. Mujeeb Majeed’s music beautifully enhances these efforts, significantly elevating the film.

Brilliant casting is another one of Kishkindha Kandam’s major strengths, with each character feeling as though they were tailor-made for the respective actors; though this isn’t actually the case and their outstanding performances make it seem so. Vijayaraghavan, as expected, delivers a flawless performance as Pillai, capturing the various shades of the character and the emotional strain he faces due to memory loss with perfection. The subtle shifts in his body language — perfectly mirroring Pillai’s mental state whether it’s the moments when his memory fades or when he panics — underscores his expertise in acting.

Brilliant casting is another one of Kishkindha Kandam’s major strengths, with each character feeling as though they were tailor-made for the respective actors. (Image: Asif Ali/Facebook)

Cinema Anatomy | Ranjith: The Malayalam writer-director who peddled elitist, patriarchal and misogynistic ideas through his films, now accused of sexual harassment

For those who may have doubted Asif Ali’s acting prowess, Kishkindha Kandam serves as a testament to his untapped potential. He begins with a composed nature, which evolves into an eerie calmness as the film progresses, ultimately revealing a character weighed down by secrets. The distinct nuances he brings to Ajayan, in contrast to his previous characters hailing from rural areas, underscore his versatility and deep understanding of his character. Amid these intense performances, Aparna Balamurali delivers just the right amount as the seeker of secrets who has nothing personal at stake here. She remains grounded in her role, never overshadowed by the highly emotional performances of those around her. Instead, she stays true to her character, conveying its essence with precision. Veterans Jagadish and Ashokan also contribute effectively to the movie with their well-crafted roles.

Bahul Ramesh impresses in the cinematography department, more so than in his previous works, capturing the layers of the atmosphere with depth and clarity. Sooraj ES’ editing also deserves praise for ensuring the screenplay’s smooth flow translates seamlessly onto the screen. His skilful shifts between a sense of openness — reflecting the landscape — and claustrophobia, symbolising the characters’ hidden secrets, allow the audience to feel the right emotions at the right moments. Renju Raj Mathew’s audiography and Vishnu Sujathan’s sound mix also deserve commendation.

Kishkindha Kandam movie cast: Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, Vijayaraghavan, Jagadish, Ashokan
Kishkindha Kandam movie director: Dinjith Ayyathan
Kishkindha Kandam movie rating: 4 stars