Kaapa (2022)

Kaapa 2022: a novel adaptation with a troubled start

Kaapa 2022 is a Malayalam action thriller directed by Shaji Kailas and adapted from G. R. Indugopan's novel Shankhumukhi. Indugopan wrote the screenplay himself, so the book's author is also behind the film's script, which is worth knowing if you have read the novel or plan to.

The film has a notable production story. It was announced in August 2021 with Venu as director, but in May 2022 Venu stepped away, citing creative differences, and Shaji Kailas took over. Manju Warrier was originally cast as the lead actress but left because of scheduling conflicts, and Aparna Balamurali replaced her. We have not watched the film; this is a guide built from credits and published records.

Release date and where to watch

Kaapa opened in Kerala theatres on 22 December 2022, in the Christmas window, according to Wikipedia and Film Companion. Reviews at the time are described as mixed.

For streaming, Wikipedia and Onmanorama both say it moved to Netflix, with a start date of 19 January 2023. Reports say it was offered in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Catalogues change, so confirm that it is still on Netflix in your country.

The British Board of Film Classification rated it 15 and lists a running time of 134 minutes, which suggests violent content suited to adult viewers.

Premise, cast and music

In the premise on record, Anand, an IT professional, relocates to Thiruvananthapuram with his pregnant wife, Binu. He learns that her name sits on a police list of local gangsters and sets out to have it removed, which draws him into the underworld. We are not going further than that.

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Madhu Kumar, known as Kotta Madhu, and Asif Ali plays Anand. Anna Ben is Binu, Aparna Balamurali is Prameela, and Dileesh Pothan and Jagadish appear as Latheef and Jabbar. The film was produced by Dolwin Kuriakose, Jinu V. Abraham, Dileesh Nair, Vikram Mehra and Siddharth Anand Kumar. Dawn Vincent and Jakes Bejoy composed the songs, and Dawn Vincent handled the background score.

What to know before watching

A gangster story set in Thiruvananthapuram, with an everyman caught between his family and the criminal world, is a familiar frame, and the pull here will be the cast and the specific city setting. Prithviraj and Asif Ali are both established names, so viewers coming for the actors will have a clear reason to try it.

Because it is based on a novel, readers of Shankhumukhi may want to compare the two, but we cannot say how closely the film follows the book. Keep in mind the 15 rating, and expect a thriller that is more about menace and consequences than comedy.