“To you all, Appu Pilla might seem like a curious character, but to me, he’s my father.”
Who is Appu Pilla? What is Kishkinda Kaandam, you might ask. Kishkinda Kaandam is yet another remarkable film from Malayalam cinema this year. The title refers to a chapter, or “Kaandam,” of the Hindu mythological epic Ramayana, which features the Vaanar Sena (monkey army). The film is set in the forests of Kerala, in a village inhabited by monkeys, who play a significant role in moving the plot forward.
So, who is Appu Pilla, and why is he a curious character? Appu Pilla is a retired Army man, now spending his old age with his son and daughter-in-law. That’s just the surface—there’s much more to him beneath it. Appu Pilla is a stubborn, irritable man who doesn’t listen to anyone, rarely goes out, and avoids socializing.
As the story dives deeper (spoiler alert), we learn that Appu Pilla is showing signs of what appears to be Alzheimer’s disease. However, he denies this and refuses any treatment, brushing off concerns from his son Ajayan or anyone else. Vijayaraghavan is excellent in his portrayal of Appu Pilla.
Kishkinda Kaandam, the movie
The film begins during election season, when everyone is required to surrender licensed weapons to the police. Appu Pilla, however, has forgotten where he put his revolver, just as his son Ajayan is getting married at the courthouse. Ajayan’s wife, Aparna, serves as the audience’s lens, revealing the story bit by bit. Bharadwaj Rangan rightly points out in his review that the film doesn’t spoon-feed information; rather, it shows everything, allowing the audience to interpret it.
However, while this approach might work for some, I felt it wasn’t quite enough. For a thriller, the first act lacks engagement. While slowly revealing details to shock the audience can be effective, it only works if everything ultimately makes sense. In this case, although the ending did make sense, it didn’t quite justify the journey the film took just to showcase a “show, don’t tell” approach. Had the narrative been clearer and more cohesive, this could have been another masterpiece from Malayalam cinema.
Nazeef is a cinephile in the truest sense of the word. While his devotion to Martin Scorsese is unparalleled, his love for cinema knows no boundaries. He explores films from every corner of the world with a deep curiosity and a critical eye. Every movie he watches opens up new perspectives, and his reviews always bring fresh insights, making him an essential voice in the global film community.