What Is the Story About?
Taking over Siragugal’s reins from his revered father, Guna is ready to welcome a new batch of students. Maha, the daughter of a street dancer, escapes a creepy politician, to join the school. The professional rivalry between two cops affects the rapport between the sons Sakthi and Karthi on the campus. Meanwhile, an alumnus Jeeva, returns to the campus as a teacher.
Performances?
Bharath Kumar, reprising Guna’s role yet again, delivers the goods and makes a mark with his solid screen presence and knack for humour. Parveen, cast as Guna’s better half, brings warmth to her portrayal of Malar. Aniruth Kanakarajan, as the angsty, entitled youngster Karthik, fits the bill while Sakthi turns out to be another apt casting choice.
Bhuvaneshwari, playing Maha, bags a worthy, emotional role and does justice, while her other actor-counterparts, from Thaafia Abutahir to Jagabar Sathik, Ajith Kumar, shine in their lively appearances. The scope of roles essayed by other actors, such as Murali Radhakrishnan, Aneessh Sivashanmugam and Vijay Duke, is expected to widen in the coming episodes.
Analysis
The campus drama Kana Kaanum Kaalangal, unfolding in a school in Kanchipuram, revolving around late teenagers, is an ideal fit for the web medium. The show’s format presents a fine opportunity to retain a set of stock characters and introduce a handful of them across every season, exploring their destinies and conflicts, with a right mix of nostalgia, love, campus rivalry and humour.
With this season, Guna and Malar take charge of Siragugal, continuing from where the former’s father had left behind. Before he deals with a new bunch of students joining the school, Guna is all over the moon personally, as he’s set to embrace fatherhood. Across the first four episodes, the show predominantly focuses on the past of three students – Maha, Sakthi and Karthi.
The first episode, focusing on Maha and the challenges that her mother Rekha overcomes to raise her, is the most impressive of the lot. As a street dancer, Rekha leaves behind an absent partner and pimps herself to safeguard her daughter’s future. However, when a similar fate threatens Maha, due to a shady politician, Rekha is forced to take a drastic move.
The drama takes an interesting turn as the focus shifts to two local cops – Thinakaran and Palanivel. Palani is your typical, righteous cop, whose honesty isn’t rewarded, while his contemporary Thinakaran bribes his way to climb the career ladder easily. Their professional tension invariably affects their sons – Sakthi and Karthi at school.
While a pimp Kasi is out to trace the whereabouts of Maha, Kana Kaanum Kaalangal keeps you reasonably engaged with the situational humour at the campus around many lively characters. The platform is perfectly set to keep the ball rolling, establishing key roles and hinting at the drama one could expect out of their lives.
The director Nitiz Maz stays true to the show’s theme and delivers just what one would expect after two seasons. However, the writing, more or less, resembles a TV show over a web series. It would’ve been beneficial for the team to relook at a familiar story from a fresher perspective with more realism, rather than banking on formulaic, tried and tested cinematic tropes.
Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Season 3 is comfort food – watchable by all means but doesn’t break any new ground either. A viewer with modest expectations, just looking to kill time with a story in a familiar, relatable genre, will not be offended by what the show has to offer. The performances and apt casting serve the needs of the show.
Music and Other Departments?
Besides the foot-tapping title track, Aravind G’s background score complements the show’s mood. Adhi Seshan’s dialogues are witty and situational, ensuring that the personality of the characters is brought to the fore with the writing. Cinematography Ajith Srinivasan ensures a visually rich colour palette to a vibrant show, that’s easy on the eye while driving the story forward. Mani K L may not have a groundbreaking story to tell, but it is reasonably engaging within the limitations of the setup.
Highlights?
Lively characters, relatable situations
Gripping first episode
Impressive performances by newcomers
Drawbacks?
Has little/no novelty to offer
Televised, unrealistic treatment
Did I Enjoy It?
Watchable, at best
Will You Recommend It?
Only if you don’t have a better option
Kana Kaanum Kaalangal Season 3 Review by Binged Bureau
We’re hiring!
We are hiring two full-time junior to mid-level writers with the option to work remotely. You need to work a 5-hour shift and be available to write. Interested candidates should email their sample articles to [email protected]. Applications without a sample article will not be considered.
