Kathal Movie Review: Sanya Malhotra Shines in the Light-Hearted Social Satire

The movie addresses the societal issues in a central Indian village, where a minor incident like “Kathal Ki Chori” deserves an investigation and cannot be neglected. Sanya Malhotra starrer Kathal, penned by National Award-winning screenwriter Ashok Mishra, Kathal marked the directorial venture of his son Yashowardhan Mishra. After Dangal and Pagglait, Sanya Malhotra shines in the light-hearted social drama. Her excellent performance in the film is undeniably impressive.  Kathal is presently streaming on Netflix.

Storyline

A local politician whose treasured jackfruits went missing and a young policewoman determined to solve this odd case to prove herself. Kathal highlights that she discovers the other painful reality of the village and uncovers the puzzle while investigating the rest of its theme.

Kathal Movie Review

The film reveals a faulty judiciary, journalistic circus, political play, and so on. However, it is far from contemporary social satire. The writing is entertaining, but only in long stretches. Every character has a backstory, which is what makes Kathal different. Although Sanya Malhotra plays the lead, every character in the film plays a vital role. Their peculiarity imparts flavors of spiciness, savoriness, and sweetness to this delectable pickle jar of Kathal.

Kathal Star Cast and Performances

Sanya Malhotra is returning to her comedic best. Sanya, known for her ability to play lighthearted characters, excels in the role. Anantvijay Joshi portrays Saurabh and is an excellent counterpart for Sanya’s Mahima in his film debut.  And veteran comic actors such as Rajpal Yadav, Vijay Raaz, and Gurpal Singh, with their magnificent execution, bring their own charm to the table and place the perfect cherry on the cake. The portrayal of a forensic officer by Brijendra Kala elevates the already fine narrative.

Kathal’s Selling Point

Kathal could be a better plot with an average execution, but how the screenplay evolves, and the storyline extends leaves you smiling. The film’s music, created by Ram Sampath, has a desi flavor. There are only three songs, and while Radhe Radhe is a happy tune, Nikar Chalo Re is a relaxing piece. Watch it for lighthearted humor and a glimpse of the village area lifestyle.

Kathal’s Weak Point

The running time of the movie is 1 hour and 55 minutes. To prevent it from being lengthy, a few sequences may have been cut. The filmmaker works desperately to maintain this social satire but ultimately falls short.

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