Movie Review

Blending extreme emotions and comedy in the right proportions can be an arduous task for filmmakers. If not done correctly, it can fail to keep the audience engaged. However, when done correctly, it can be an effective tool to keep the audience hooked. One such film that has successfully achieved this balance is Kavin's Dada. The film depicts the challenges faced by Manikandan (played by Kavin) as he tries to provide a good life for himself and his child, with moments of levity interspersed throughout.

Manikandan and Sindhu (played by Aparna Das) are college students who are deeply in love with each other. Unexpectedly, Sindhu becomes pregnant, and Mani becomes a father at a young age. While the two decide to live together at their friend's place, Mani's irresponsible behavior and lethargic attitude during Sindhu's pregnancy create differences between them. Consequently, Manikandan is left with no other choice but to raise his newborn child alone, despite his economic situation. What follows is a touching story of a father and son and their journey against all odds.

Director Ganesh K. Babu's writing successfully immerses the audience into Manikandan's world, a single parent who is in need of redemption. The film's protagonist is flawed, and that's one of its biggest strengths. Each time reality hits him hard, he resurrects himself, making the audience root for him. The implementation of comedy and humor helps to soften the seriousness of the drama, and Ganesh K Babu has done a fantastic job in Dada. The film's lighter moments and witty dialogue following emotional scenes work remarkably well. Additionally, Pradeep Antony's character in the second half takes the audience on an enjoyable ride. Although there aren't many conflicts after the intermission, and the screenplay becomes predictable, the inclusion of characters such as Pradeep Antony and VTV Ganesh keeps us entertained.

The sequences between the father and son are well-written, and the audience can relate to them. Kavin's on-screen presence and his portrayal of Manikandan are remarkable. For example, his character is initially introduced as someone who doesn't get affected by any situation in his life, but at one point, when we see tears in his eyes, it's quite believable and genuine. Aparna Das has done an outstanding job, shedding tears for most of the film. Their chemistry works well in many instances, and it's one of the reasons why the film is so endearing. The technical aspects of the film, including the cinematography and the music, are outstanding. Jen Martin's background score intensifies emotions during crucial moments.

If the film had solely focused on Manikandan's career and his struggles to raise his child, Dada could have been a Tamil version of Pursuit of Happiness. However, the film also delves into Manikandan's love life after the interval, adding another dimension. Overall, Dada is a well-written drama that strikes the perfect balance between comedy, emotion, and love. It's a film worth watching this weekend.

Kavin's Dada is a perfect example of a film that blends extreme emotions and comedy in the right proportions. It tells the story of Manikandan (Kavin) and Sindhu (Aparna Das), two final-year college students who fall in love with each other. However, when Mani unexpectedly impregnates Sindhu, he becomes a father at a young age and is left to face the consequences of his actions.

As Mani's irresponsible behavior and lethargic attitude during Sindhu's pregnancy period create differences between them, the couple decides to live together at their friend's place. But, as their problems intensify, Mani is left with no other option but to raise his newborn child alone, despite his economic conditions. What follows is a touching story of a father and son and their journey against all odds.

Director Ganesh K. Babu's writing is effective enough to pull the audience into the world of Manikandan, a single parent, who is in a phase of redemption. The protagonist's flawed nature is one of the biggest strengths of the film. Mani resurrects himself every single time when reality hits him hard, making us root for him.

Ganesh K Babu has brilliantly implemented comedy to help soften the seriousness of the drama. The lighter moments and witty dialogues that come every single time after an emotional sequence work well, and Pradeep Antony's character in the second half takes the viewers on a fun ride. Though there aren't many conflicts after the intermission, the inclusion of a few characters, such as Pradeep Antony and VTV Ganesh, keeps the audience entertained.

The sequences between father and son are well-written, and there's a lot that the audience can relate to. Kavin's screen-presence and the way he carries the role throughout add a lot of value to the narrative. For instance, we are introduced to his character as someone who doesn't get affected by or cry at any situation in his life. But at one point, when we find tears in his eyes, it's quite believable and doesn't look fake.

Aparna Das, though she sheds tears for most parts, has done a great job as well. Their chemistry works in many instances, and that's one of the reasons why the audience fell in love with this film. The technical aspects of the film, both the cinematography and the music, are brilliant, and Jen Martin's background score elevates emotions then and there.

Dada could have easily been a Tamil version of Pursuit of Happiness if it had only focused on the career and battles of Manikandan, who is struggling to raise his child, Adhithya. But it does showcase his love life again post-interval, giving us another dimension. Overall, Dada is a well-written drama with the right mix of comedy, emotion, and love.The film's technical aspects, including the cinematography and music, are also noteworthy. The camera work captures the emotional moments of the film effectively, while Jen Martin's background score elevates the emotions and adds depth to the scenes.

If the film had solely focused on Manikandan's career struggles and battles in raising his child, Dada could have easily become a Tamil version of "The Pursuit of Happyness." However, the inclusion of Manikandan's love life in the post-interval adds another dimension to the story and makes the film even more engaging. It's definitely worth watching this weekend.