Agent Kannayiram is a 2022 Indian Tamil language-language comedy mystery film directed by Manoj Beedha and produced by Labyrinth Films.
Plot
Kannayiram, a self-proclaimed, unassuming private detective with a sleeplessness issue, grieving for his mother’s death, forcefully stays in his native village for the asset dispute of his family heirloom. Aadhirai, a documentary filmmaker who visits the village for her Project work meets Kannayiram for her interview. Aadhirai gives information about the increasing number of unidentified dead bodies found in and around
Coimbatore region. Kannayiram takes up this case to prove his calibre. After solving the case, he finds out that doctor Karthikeyan along with his assistant Punniyam killed so many people and put the dead bodies near the bridge. Kannayiram beats Karthikeyan’s goons and takes him to the police where Karthikeyan is jailed for the rest of his life. Kannayiram gets an award and Aadhirai proposed to him in which he agrees. The film ends with Kannayiram solving another murder case
Cast
Production
Labyrinth Films signed on director Manoj Beedha (who earlier directed
Vanjagar Ulagam) to direct the Tamil remake of 2019 Telugu film
Agent Sai Srinivasa Athreya for their production house with Santhanam to portray the leading role.
was cast as the female lead.
Principal photography began on 1 February 2021 in
Coimbatore with the majority of the portions shot in Coimbatore,
Pollachi and
Kerala. After 55 days of shoot, the film's final schedule was completed in October 2021.
The title and the first look poster of the film were unveiled by director
Lokesh Kanagaraj via his
Twitter account on 15 October 2021.
In January 2022, actors Arya and
Jiiva released the teaser of the film on the occasion of Santhanam's birthday.
Soundtrack
The music for the film is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, collaborating with Santhanam for the second time (after
Dikkiloona) with Santhanam after the latter's transformation into lead roles.
Release
Theatrical
The film was scheduled to be released theatrically on 24 November 2022,
but later pushed by a day to 25 November.
Home media
The post-theatrical streaming rights were acquired by
Sun NXT.
Reception
M. Suganth of
The Times of India rated the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "Throughout the first half, the film seems indecisive on what it wants to be and the jagged editing only leads to what feels like disorienting narrative jumps."
Kirubhakar Purushothaman of
The Indian Express rated the film 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Everything is unpronounced and lacks the impact the director has aimed for thus we are left with an underwhelming film that tries too hard. Not just the gun, even the film fails to fire."
Srivatsan S of
The Hindu wrote "Unfortunately Agent Kannayiram ends up being an exasperating watch lacking a soul, fittingly, for a film about dead bodies and lonely deaths."
Vishal Menon of
Film Companion wrote "You get a just-about-watchable comedy thriller that you start forgetting as you’re watching it."
Soundarya Athimuthu of
The Quint gave the film’s rating 3.5 out of 5 and wrote "The Tamil remake is a polished version of the original. A lot of effort has gone into cinematography, which is commendable."
Thinkal Menon of OTT Play gave the film 1.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "A Santhanam-starrer usually is loaded with minimum entertaining elements irrespective of its total outcome. But this time, he tests patience, thanks to his awful decision to remake an engaging movie."
External links
