Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery

Kathal is one of the finest light-spirited comedy movie with underlying tones of social message that I've seen in a very long time. Despite dealing with a subgenre that is almost a tightrope-balance between becoming a satirical comedy and a meaningless laughter riot it's heart remains at the right place and never attempts be either. It takes a brilliant attempt at humanising every character quite in a way "Panchayat" does . The boldness that lies in its simplistic story-telling that attempts keeps you hooked to your seat for two hours is itself commendable. "Kathal" is a must-watch for all aspiring screenwriters and cinephiles alike.

Just finished watching this on Netflix, and in summary I could say this is a must watch film.

The film premise may sound simple - solving a case of missing jackfruits, but it is actually a very cleverly and brilliantly written story which touches some of the most critical (and mostly ignored) topics of the Indian society. And it does that in a very simple yet strong and funny way.

The story is written and presented in a very beautiful way. The direction is superb. And the acting, by everyone, is outstanding.

Every moment of the film was enjoyable. If you like good satirical comedy, this would be really worth watching.

Sanya Malhotra has never disappointed - since Dangal but this is finally the movie that does her talent justice. She almost caries the movie singularly on her shoulder - save the fact that the support cast is just as solid and the two veterans Vijay Raz and Rajpal Yadav just claim their stake of admiration.

Rajpal Yadav gives the performance of his lifetime. I have never been impressed by him this much. (That skullcap I could have done without).

Story, screenplay and dialogues have that Coen brother feel of blending absurd, whimsical and wit - with dark.

Last 15 minutes are disappoint anticlimax where too many loose ends get neatly tied in a hurry and almost give a feel of 1970s "parivarik" drama where everything suddenly gets tidied up for a happy ending. An imperfect end would have been a perfect for a story like this - where something was left without a closure.

Sanya - her performance alone is enough though to make me watch the movie again.

This movie is so good. It tackles a serious subject with so much ease and laughter. The language, relationship of police with each other and with politicians, whole ambience of this movie was very relatable and felt real. Most of all the comedy and the end scene reminded me of movies like hera pheri or welcome. I commend the writers and director Yashowardhan Mishra and Ashok Mishra for bringing back comedy genre at its finest. I wasn't bored one bit. It handled so many big topics without making you feel heavy yet still nodding your head at the unfortunate reality of our society. Whole cast did an amazing job. I was thoroughly entertained. Congratulations!

Kathal: A Jackfruit Mystery, a well cooked social satire, cleverly intertwines the disappearance of two jackfruits with a captivating narrative that reveals broader societal issues. With a perfect balance of humor and a leisurely pace, the film skillfully highlights complex caste dynamics and gender biases without being preachy. While it could have delved deeper into these themes, Kathal beautifully captures the allure of rural life and its simple joys. The cast delivers captivating performances, infused with witty banter, while the police force is portrayed with raw authenticity. Kathal is a good-watch, offering 120 minutes of clean cinematic experience!