When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. - Paulo Coelho
In Kunchacko Boban's latest Malayalam movie Kochavva Paulo Ayyappa Coelho (KPAC), the audience repeatedly hear this world famous Brazilian novelist's quote from bestseller The Alchemist.
Kochavva (Kunchacko) is an Idukki-based middle-class man, who is loved for lending a helping hand to everyone in his village. Having read The Alchemist, Kochavva often repeats Poelo Coelho's quote to inspire the villagers to dream more. The Good Samaritan Kochavva is the one who is being depended on by everyone, be it during a wedding or a funeral. He is also the swimming and cycling coach for the kids in the village.
Ayyappa Das (Rudraksh) is a 10-year-old boy who always dreams of making his biggest wish come true. From his childhood days, his only dream is to travel in an aeroplane and his craze is evident from his toy collection -- to be precise, he only has aeroplanes as his toys.
However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances, Ayyappa's chances of travelling in a flight get postponed each time. How he achieves his dream with the help of Kochavva is the thread of KPAC, which can be called as a feel-good movie, despite having a predictable plot.
What makes KPAC engaging is the natural debut performance of actor Sudeesh's son Rudraksh, who narrates the entire movie in his point of view. KPAC is his story, it's about his dreams. Abini Aadi, the child artiste who plays Ambili, also deserves a special mention for her matured performance.
In his 75th movie, Kunchacko does an impressive performance as a down-to-earth person, a role he is very comfortable with. As expected Anusree, like in Fahadh Faasil's Maheshinte Prathikaram, the once-lover of the hero marries another person in KPAC as well. She is a talented actress, but it would be great if she moves out of this similar role in her future movies.
National Film Award winning actor Suraj Venjarumoodu is the one who entertains the audience with his one-liners in KPAC. The movie also has the notable performances of Nedumudi Venu, KPAC Lalitha, Muthumani and Sudeesh, among others.
Technical aspects
Sidhartha Siva's previous directorial ventures 101 Chodyangal and Ain had bagged the National Film Awards, but his first commercial venture is packed with a predictable storyline that do not have any twists or turns that make the audience hold to their seats.
KPAC has five songs, out of which the romantic number Neelakannula Maane, sung by Vijay Yesudas and Swetha Mohan, has already impressed the audience. Other songs and background score by Shaan Rahman compliment the family entertainer along with beautiful cinematography by Neil D'Cunha, who captures the beauty of Idukki. The crisp editing by Vineeb Krishnan has made KPAC a smooth 2-hour-27-minute running movie.
Final verdict
KPAC is not an extra-ordinary entertainer, but a simple movie narrated quoting the inspiring words of Poelho Coelho throughout the movie. The driving force of the film is Rudraksh, who is a talented artiste and is sure to have a good future in the industry. As an entertainer, KPAC will not make you feel bored. It is a one-time watch movie to applause the performances of the actors.