It is not easy being an emerging star in Malayalam cinema because most characters you play has a benchmark set by a veteran actor. So when Prithviraj plays an autorickshaw driver in Raj Babu's Kangaroo, we are immediately reminded of Mohanlal's character in Aye Auto. And the story develops in the same fashion.
This does not mean that Kangaroo is similar to Aye Auto; they as different as chalk and cheese. But Kangaroo goes the telly soap way, about misunderstandings and bickering within a joint family. The story only unfolds after the film is halfway through.
The protagonist here drives an auto even after taking a Masters degree in Commerce, as he has to look after a family that consists of an aging mother, a mentally unstable elder brother and two sisters, one of whom is married, but, is staying with him because of financial problems. As a solution to all his financial problems, he is offered a handsome dowry to marry an unwed mother from a rich family. But he has to claim parenthood of that child before his engagement. Adding a twist to the story, the girl commits suicide on their engagement day.
But Prithviraj is given the child, as he has already claimed parenthood.
Prithviraj does a good job. There is a kind of casualness in his approach, which was missing previously. Kavya Madhavan looks stunning. Kavery, who has made a comeback with this film, gets noticed as the unwed elder sister. Jayasurya seems to be establishing himself as the villain in Malayalam films.
On the whole, Kangaroo could have worked out as a family entertainer if it had been well-edited. Now, it simply tests the viewers' patience.
Rediff Rating: 
More from rediff