Kaafi Thota: Just a mild coffee taste in this thriller

Director TN Seetharam loves finding happiness in the small things. His success on the small screen is well recognised, and his urge to make a bigger mark in the industry is laudable. In the small screen and big screen businesses, success has different recipes. With Kaafi Thota, Seetharam experiments using ingredients from his small world, and turns it into a recipe worthy for the big screen. Does he succeed?

Cast: Raghu Mukherjee, Radhika Chetan, Samyuktha Hornad, Raghav Madhav
Director: TN Seetharam

Well, while he doesn’t make your taste buds tingle and sing, that warm, familiar feeling cannot be ignored. Known for his TV courtroom dramas, Seetharam’s Kaafi Thota has a lot of substance that showcases his trademark style--something his regular viewers will get to enjoy while watching the film. In just 2 hours and 10 minutes, the director manages to show love, murder, and betrayal, while also managing to keep the plot simple and clean. He also brings to screen an understanding of the inner turmoils of the main character. 

Successful, young lawyer Niranjan (Raghu Mukhejee) is put to test when he has to solve a murder where his friend Charmi, aka Swami’s (Raghav Madhav) wife Mythili is the victim. She also happens to be Niranjan’s ex-girlfriend. Balancing his emotions and career, Niranjan manages to win the case for his friend. But did he fight the right fight? Who murdered Mythili and why is shown through the film’s narrative, ultimately emphasising the fact that truth always wins.

Thanks to some cinematic compromises, the film becomes somewhat predictable. There is ambition, which shows Seetharam’s thirst for cinematic applause, but there is also restraint, which shows his artistic
inhibition.

Raghu Mukherjee has fit the role well, and Radhika Chetan also has a strong presence. With her limited screen space, Samyuktha Hornad manages to leave an impact too. Senior actors Sunder Raj, Veena Sundar and Sudha Belawadi bring their experience to the film, but Rahul Madhav fails to bring out the villanous side of his character.

The two songs, directed by Mithun Mukundan, are bearable, and the beautiful coffee estate backdrop has been captured well on screen by cinematographer, Ashok Kashyap.

Watch this one if Seetharam’s serials have left an impression on you over the years.