Koogle Kuttappa Movie Review: Ravikumar shoulders a memorable retelling  

For some years now, Tamil cinema has been plagued with a major void — the lack of good supporting actors. In fact, this is one avenue where our neighbours, the Malayalam film industry have been revelling in. Interestingly, it is Koogle Kuttappa, the Tamil remake of the Malayalam film, Android Kunjappan, that has helped unearth the fine actor in director KS Ravikumar. While he did make an impressive turn in certain films, it is in Koogle Kuttappa that we see the powerhouse performer in KS Ravikumar. As the hot-headed Subramani, the director-turned-actor effortlessly eases into the role whose success relies heavily on the chemistry he shares with the humanoid robot. Ravikumar is the perfect foil for the robot that cannot reciprocate emotions. Without the need for dialogue, he effectively sells the love for the robot. In fact, the role almost feels like an extension of KS Ravikumar's real self.

Cast: KS Ravikumar, Tharshan, Losliya, Yogi Babu
Rating:3/5
Director: Sabari-Saravanan

Despite being a retelling, there are certain touches in Koogle Kuttappa that seem more profound when seen in our own language. For instance, Subramani often complains that his son Adithya (Tharshan) is too busy to scatter the ashes of his mother's remains. This emotion can very well be extended to those long-pending dinners or hospital appointments or local temple visits that working children promise their ageing parents. The robot can be a metaphor for that neighbourhood kid or a pet that our parents cherish and grow fond of in our absence. The fact that this rural sci-fi film, made by director duo Sabari-Saravanan, falls more on the family drama spectrum is a welcome change that elevates Koogle Kuttappa.

It is heartwarming how every character in Koogle Kuttappa longs for someone to listen to their hearts, and it is the presence or the absence of that someone that determines their relationships. Adithya and Subramani share a mutual hate club as they don't listen to each other. On the other end, Tharavi (Losliya) falls in love with Adithya, and Subramani sees the robot Kuttappa as his son, because they each put an effort to listen. After all, aren't intimate conversations with our loved ones the fuel that keeps us all going?

Comparing Soubin's performance to Tharshan's would be criminal, but the Bigg Boss breakout star delivers a commendable debut. While he does leave a mark in the scenes involving Ravikumar, there is definite room for improvement in the rest of the portions. Ghibran balances the lack of memorable songs with a brilliant background score.

People have their reservations when it comes to remakes. Some feel classics shouldn't be remade and some feel watching the dubbed versions, or the original with subtitles is more than enough. But when such endearing films, the ones that stress the importance of being there for each other knock on our doors in our own language, how can we not welcome them with open arms?