‘Kali’ is a gripping, honest tale about anger issues
It’s late in the night and Anjali (Sai Pallavi) is alone driving her car.
New to driving, she navigates cautiously along the mountainous terrain of Masinagudi.
She is in urgent need of money and her eyes flit around, searching for an ATM. She must get back soon with the money to her husband Siddharth (Dulquer Salmaan), who is waiting for her at a roadside eatery.
Honking from a driver behind her makes her glance at the rear-view mirror. Close on her heels is the lecherous man with whom her husband had a spat with some time ago.
As I watched the scenes of Kali unfold, I could hear my own heavy breathing. Most of us women in that cinema could relate to Anjali’s fear at that moment, made so real by Pallavi. Her natural performance supported
by Chemban Vinod Jose’s acting kept this thriller going in the second half of the film.
Kali directed by Sameer Thahir and based on Rajesh Gopinathan’s script, is not merely a story about the dangers a woman driving alone faces but is more about anger issues.
Thahir’s narration gradually builds as he takes viewers through the life of the young married couple, Anjali and Siddharth. Siddharth works in a bank and loves his wife. But coming in the way of their relationship is his short temper.
Salmaan, after charming viewers as Charlie in the eponymous film, is in a different space altogether as Siddharth. Salmaan lives the role completely — especially the times when Siddharth is bristling with anger and waiting to erupt.
Pallavi proves that Malar of Premam (her debut film) was not a flash in the pan.
With Girish Gangadharan’s beautiful visuals taking you through the mountains and the land below, this is one story I loved.