KINARU MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: Kanishk Umar, Ashwin Aarthi, Vivek Prasanna, Manoj Kannan, Sri Hariharan
Director: Harikumaran
Rating: 4/5
Harikumaran’s Kinaru is a film that puts heart above logic. It is a visually vibrant debut that captures the stubborn nature of childhood. The story kicks off with a very simple desire. Pethappan (Kanishkumar) and his gang just want a place to swim, but they are chased away from a local well by a cruel owner. Humiliated but determined, the boys decide to dig their own well on Pethappan’s family land. This mission is complicated by his grandmother, who fears water due to a tragic past loss, and a scheming uncle looking to sell the property.
Technically, this movie is a treat. Cinematographer Gautham Venkatesh captures the rural greens with such care that every shot feels alive. The visuals are bright and chirpy, even when the story gets serious. Bhuvanesh Selvanesan’s music supports these visuals perfectly, doing the heavy lifting in scenes where dialogue is sparse.
The children are the soul of the movie. They share an easy chemistry that feels unscripted and natural. Vivek Prasanna, playing a mechanic named Puncture, offers a standout performance. He brings a quiet sadness and wisdom that grounds the film when the antics get too high-energy.
However, the movie does stumble a bit. The pacing can be sluggish, particularly in the middle sections where the story seems to drift. The writing also struggles with comedy. The jokes often feel like recycled lines we have heard before, and there are moments where the children speak with the maturity of adults, which breaks the illusion. Despite these hiccups, the film succeeds because its emotions are in the right place. It is a warm, empathetic journey that leaves you with a smile.