After listening to this, one may get an assurance that the film will go on a route that bashes the gender norms. In another scene when Kausalya begins to practice playing, one player in the cricket team asks how a girl can be included in the game, to which another player says that the cricket ball doesn’t know the difference between a man or a woman, all that matters is their passion to play. This scene shows how society thinks of a woman, and how a parent or people should actually respond. Take this, in one scene, when people at the police station question Murugesan’s (Sathyaraj) decision to allow his daughter to play in a ‘man’s’ game, or when they shame her, Murugesan slams their intentions. And that’s when we begin rooting for her! It’s amazing in other ways as well. Be it Kausalya’s ( Aishwarya Rajesh) stubborn attitude to play cricket or the time when her mother (played by Rama) thrashes her decision to be a part of the cricketing team – this film bears the ingredients that eventually help the underdog find her path to success.
It features some genuine good elements of what is necessary for a story of an underdog. We’ve seen in all! So, what works from the film? Like all other films of featuring an underdog, this film too has a female lead who isn’t supported by certain people of the society or the family, or the familiar event where the underdog is ridiculed by members of her own team.
However, it is not pathbreaking, neither it is saying a new story. Her offscreen efforts shows in the bowling effort which we happen to see on screen.Kanaa, in a way, is a film that decides to redefine gender roles, and stereotypes in society. The actress has worked on one of the toughest art in cricket, spin bowling. The cricketing sequences right from childhood to Aishwarya performing great at international level has been shot to perfection. From thereon, the film focuses on discrimination that new players face and the how Sivakarthikeyan as the new coach who takes over the team, builds team spirit to unite the team.
The second half holds the trump card which ups the pace of the film, which is nothing but Sivakarthikeyan’s cameo. She also happens to face discouragement from villagers as well. While her father suffers from financial problems, Aishwarya Rajesh faces trouble being the only female among a group of male playing cricket. The director has done a good work with the screenplay that shows the plight of farmers who suffer from water drought, rising prices of farming equipments, fertilizer and every other financial and political barriers that make them suffer. Though the entire village and his wife is against his will, he stands by the side of his daughter to turn her dream into reality. Sathyaraj is a cricket fanatic and he encourages her daughter’s ambition to become a cricketer. Kanaa is all about a father and daughter’s dream. Aishwarya Rajesh and Sathyaraj rule the entire film with their performances. Arunraja Kamaraj, the lyricist, singer turned director has made a mark with his debut film that also happens to Sivakarthikeyan’s first movie as a producer.