MOVIE:KashmoraKarthi’s remarkable makeover and the eye catching promos have made Kashmora one of the most awaited movies of the season. Impressively cut theatrical trailer has built enormous hype around the film that has ensured very good opening. Did the film live up to promise?
What is it about?
Kashmora (Karthi) is a conman who claims to be an exorcist. He and his family cheat people using ghost busting techniques and an evil spirit of dead warrior Raj Naik (Karthi) brings Kashmora’s family to an abandoned palace. Raj Naik plans to kill Kashmora’s family so that he can come back to life. Who is Raj Naik and what Kashmora has to do with him form rest of the story.
Performances:
This is Karthi’s show all the way. His impeccable comedy timing as Kashmora and flawless performance as Raj Naik holds the film together. Nayanthara has a very limited role but made her presence felt. Sri Divya is just okay. Comedian Vivek as Kahsmora’s father tickles us at times with funny his one-liners.
Technicalities:
Gokul has given a new spin to horror comedy genre by throwing in a fantasy tale into it. He did well in getting the humor right, but there is hardly any horror in the film. Even the fantasy part lacked substance. Gokul has drawn inspiration from many hit films, which is quite evident during the second hour.
Songs are not so impressive, but background score is good in parts. Editing could have been crisper. The film is unnecessarily dragged towards the climax. Cinematography is impressive. Visual effects are just okay. We expect better effects from a 2016 film. Production values are good.
Thumbs Up:
Karthi performance
Humor
Thumbs Down:
screenplay
Analysis:
Kashmora is essentially a horror comedy that seems to be the safest bet lately. However, director Gokul adds a fantasy tale of a princess and an evil warrior that makes it a special film among the horror comedies that we’re being served in large quantities. The fantasy tale should have been the high point of the film, but it is poorly dealt with weak content.
Comedy stands out in this film with its lead actor Karthi in superb form. Karthi excelled in the scene before interval that sets right expectations on the second half. Had the director taken care about the flashback portion, then Kashmora would have been a far more entertaining film. It is an opportunity wasted.
Raj Naik’s ghost seems very friendly and non harmful, which subdued the comedy part. There is scope for more comedy, but Gokul didn’t focus upon it. Kashmora’s second half seems to be heavily inspired from Arundhati. Climax confrontation between Karthi and Nayanathara also reminds us of Arundhati. This scene was badly shot and is a total letdown.
On a whole, Kashmora has few genuine laughs and a story to tell. Also Karthi excelled as an actor. On the flip side it is a flat film without any impactful moments. A better second half would have helped its prospects at the box office. For now Kashmora is an average film that can be watched if you have nothing better to do over the weekend.