Dada Movie Review

Debutante director, Ganesk K Babu's first's movie, "Dada" offers its audience a compelling cinematic experience, that revolves around an inspiring journey of a single father. By virtue of its brilliant cast, a well-paced screenplay, and amazing direction, "Dada" skillfully explore the complexities of single-parenthood, as well as the consequences of bad decisions and unforeseen circumstances in our life. Dada's story not only resonates with its audience but also leaves a lasting impression. This article explores all the elements that make "Dada" a gem of the Tamil film industry and tells you why you must watch it at least once.

Plot Overview:

"Dada," a thought-provoking story that addresses the difficulties experienced by a single father, transports viewers on an emotional journey. Despite some of the screenplay's typical elements, Dada's excellent execution makes a lasting effect on its viewers.

"Dada" begins with a heartwarming scene in which Manikandan (Kavin) wakes to discover Sindhu (Aparna Das), his college sweetheart, resting on his shoulder with tears in her eyes, Sindhu tells Mani that they are tears of joy. The foundation for their bond is laid at this moment. Mani confesses to Sindhu that he hasn't been able to cry since he was a child. Life takes an unexpected turn for this sweet college couple when Sindhu gets pregnant and chose to keep the child instead of having an abortion, despite Mani's unwillingness to do so. Although Mani respects Sindhu's choice and tries to support her and their baby, he is not yet ready to embrace the complexities of having a family and child yet. Unable to cope, he turns to alcohol, which results in fractures in his relationship with Sindhu. Finally, Sindhu seemingly abandons Mani and her child, leaving him to face the challenges of being a single father.

"Dada" distinguishes itself by focusing on the unconventional journey of its characters rather than your typical "boy-meets-girl" story. A major focus of Dada is Mani's emotional turmoil and his attempts to navigate the complexities of fatherhood. The story unfolds with a series of unfortunate events, leading to the birth of their child and Sindhu's disappearance. During its first act, Dada's narrative revolves around Mani's struggle to come to terms with his new reality. Details about the baby's gender and name emerge naturally as the audience experiences the turbulent events alongside Mani, creating a sense of immersion in his overwhelming circumstances.

The second act of "Dada" shines as a heart-warming drama centered around the relationship between a father and son, infused with well-placed doses of comedy. Supporting characters like Amit (played by Harish K) and a cameo appearance by VTV Ganesh bring much-needed levity to the story. However, as it reaches its conclusion, Dada ventures into more predictable territory. It becomes evident that Sindhu will reappear in Mani's life, although the absence of their son, Aadhithya, for a period becomes a noticeable element. Certain narrative developments start to follow tried-and-tested formulas, and the inclusion of an important scene involving Mani's parents (portrayed by K Bhagyaraj and Aishwarya Bhaskaran) feels somewhat forced into the storyline.

The film's saving grace during these average moments lies in the performances of Kavin and Aparna Das. Kavin impresses with his portrayal of Manikandan, showcasing his versatility and vulnerability. One particularly memorable sequence set in an orphanage demonstrates Kavin's ability to transition from minimal to maximal emotions with ease and conviction. As a promising emerging star, Kavin effectively embodies the flawed character of Manikandan, displaying growth and facing the consequences of his actions.

Throughout "Dada," the performances are complemented by the impactful music composed by Jen Martin, evoking emotions and leaving viewers teary-eyed on multiple occasions. While a little more originality in its script could have made "Dada" a masterpiece, it remains an unchanged fact that "Dada" blends comedy and drama in a refreshing manner and is a worthwhile watch.

"Dada" serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges faced by single parents, weaving an engaging tale that resonates with its audience. Ganesh K Babu's debut film showcases promise and offers a thought-provoking exploration of relationships, fatherhood, and personal growth.

Character Analysis:

1. Kavin's Role:

There is nothing to say about Kavin's dedication to his part or his ability as an exceptional actor. He thoroughly immerses himself in the skin of a single father as Manikandan alias 'Mani'.

Kavin's emotional metamorphosis for the part and how effectively he captures Mani's flawed yet capable demeanor, his courage, his intelligence, as well as his willingness to do anything for his family, are the things that need praise. Kavin has captivated the audience with his precise and skilled emotional scenes.

For almost the whole duration of the movie, Kavin faces many challenges. Whether it is taking care of his pregnant wife or raising his son alone, Kavin faces his adversaries head-on. But it is not only this image of Manikandan as a determined man that hooks the audience, his emotional connection with his son and family gives his character a more humane side as well as adds more depth to his overall performance.

Kavin's performance in "Chakra" perfectly showcases his acting skills as he moves from somber emotional passages and witty comedy scenes with ease. Kavin has solidified his place as one of the best actors in the Tamil film industry with his enduring and profound performance.

2. Support Cast:

Aparna Das captivates the audience with her depiction of Sindhu, a strong-willed lady facing the difficult decision of rearing her child. His performance deepens the character, emphasizes the complexities of Sindhu's predicament, and generates empathy from the spectator. Her depiction of Sindhu gives dimension to the character, highlighting the nuances of her circumstance and eliciting empathy from the spectator.

Harish K's performance as Amit gives much-needed comic relief, bringing lightheartedness and humor to the picture. He keeps the audience amused throughout by balancing the more serious portions of the tale with humor and perfect timing.

VTV Ganesh's cameo presence in the film offers a lot of humor and enjoyment. Ganesh, who is well-known for his comedic abilities, appears on the big screen. With bursts of laughter and amusing moments, he brings the film to life, making his whole experience one of delight and enjoyment.

Direction and Cinematography:

1. Director's Vision:

Ganesh K Babu demonstrates his exceptional vision for developing immersive experiences that smoothly merge genres. With the success of his picture, Dada, Ganesh demonstrates that, while he is a rookie filmmaker, his skills are undeniable. His brilliant writing and outstanding script keep the viewer engrossed throughout the film. Ganesh's directing brings out the most in his brilliant ensemble, with Kavin providing a standout performance and effectively stretching the boundaries by attempting a new genre.

The emotional scenes between Manikandan and his son are heart-warming, adding to the overall impact of the film. Ganesh ability to blend emotions and comedy is commendable, and he skilfully balances touching moments with well-placed humour. The film also addresses important themes such as complexities of single parenthood, delivering a message without being preachy. Overall, Ganesh K Babu's vision for Dada shines through in every aspect of the film, making it a memorable watch.

2. Cinematography and Production Design:

We witness commendable cinematography in the movie Dada with its excellent editing and different camera angles that capture every scene perfectly without compromising the intensity of emotions in it. The hard work of the cinematographers can be seen in these scenes where emotional scenes are captured in all their energy, with the help of a combination of close-up and wide-angle shots. The production and pre-production are also well maintained with the detailing in decoration, costumes as well as props. Even though the audience is not provided with in-depth details, the production design succeeds in enhancing the setting and mood of every scene, perfectly expressing the tone of the narrative. To sum it up, the production and cinematography of the movie contribute to the visual appeal of the movie and help in delivering an emotional storyline perfectly.

Impact and Reception

Dada, a film made on a budget of ?4 crore, has received a positive critical reception upon its release. Several reviewers have pointed out various positive elements of the movie, particularly in its writing and execution. Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India has given the film a rating of 3.5/5, stating that it effectively pulls the audience into the world of Manikandan. Navein Darshan has also praised the film's writing. Darshan describes the movie as emotional yet fun, highlighting its strong undercurrent of tasteful humor. A reviewer from Sify has described the film as an excellent emotional drama, rating it 3.5/5. The reviewer finds the technical aspects, such as the background score and visuals, to be excellent. They also feel that certain elements, such as the scenes focusing on Manikandan's relationship with his son, have been very good and have never been done before in other films like Dada.

Janani K, a critic from India Today, has given Dada a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and has expressed that Dada has capitalized on a timely subject and has done it justice. Janani describes Dada as a heartwarming film that explores parenting and relationship woes. The film has been commended for avoiding a major romantic track and songs, which has been seen as a relief by the critic. However, Ramanujan mentions that certain key emotional elements have hindered the overall impact of the film.

With the positive critical reception, Dada's audience has loved the film and has described it as a must-watch. The public response to the movie has been even more positive compared to the critical reviews. Many viewers have appreciated the timely subject matter and the absence of typical commercial elements like romantic tracks and songs. However, the film's execution and flaws in certain scenes have still been noted by the audience.

In terms of box office performance, Dada managed to collect around ?20 crore during its theatrical run. Dada had reportedly gained a profit of ?10 crore, it can be considered a success considering its budget. The box office collection indicates that Dada managed to attract a huge audience, thanks to its positive critical reception.

Overall, Dada had a positive impact and reception. It has received criticism for its excellent writing and execution, it found an audience who appreciated it as a must-watch movie. The film's box office collection suggests that it managed to garner a decent level of commercial success.

Conclusion

Ganesh K Babu's first movie as a director, "Dada," earned positive reviews due to its excellent plot and execution. Kavin's acting and the heart-warming emotional sequences were the core of the film, but the female lead's portrayal fell short. Despite its limitations, Dada provided an immersive experience for aficionados of romance and drama, complete with touching emotions and comedy. Due to these, "Dada" drew a solid following and enjoyed economic success.