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{{Short description|2022 Indian film directed by Shaji Kailas}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2023}}
{{About|the film|the act|Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act|villages in Estonia|Kääpa (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Kaapa
| image = Kaapa release poster.jpg
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Shaji Kailas]]
| writer = [[G. R. Indugopan]]
| based_on = {{Based on|''Shankhumukhi''|G. R. Indugopan}}
| producer = {{ubl|Dolwin Kuriakose|Jinu V. Abraham|[[Dileesh Nair]]|Vikram Mehra|Siddharth Anand Kumar}}
| starring = {{Plainlist|
* [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]]
* [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]]
* [[Aparna Balamurali]]
* [[Anna Ben]]
*[[Dileesh Pothan]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Jomon T. John]]
| editing = [[Shameer Muhammed]]
| music = '''Songs:'''<br />[[Dawn Vincent]]<br />[[Jakes Bejoy]]<br />'''Background Score:'''<br />Dawn Vincent
| studio = {{ubl|Fefka Writers Union|Theatre of Dreams|[[Saregama|Saregama India Limited]]}}
| distributor =
| released = {{Film date|df=y|2022|12|22}}
| runtime = 134 minutes<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaapa |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaapa-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtc1 |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228163441/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaapa-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewmtc1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
| gross = {{INR}}17 crore<ref>{{Cite web |title='Kaapa' box office collection: Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer crosses Rs 17 crores |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box%20office/kaapa-box-office-collection-prithviraj-sukumaran-starrer-crosses-rs-17-crores/articleshow/96755386.cms |website=The Times of India |date=5 January 2023 |access-date=30 April 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100425/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/box-office/kaapa-box-office-collection-prithviraj-sukumaran-starrer-crosses-rs-17-crores/articleshow/96755386.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

'''''Kaapa''''' is a 2022 Indian [[Malayalam]]-language [[action thriller film]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaapa-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewnzm5|title=Kaapa (15)|website=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|access-date=3 November 2023|archive-date=3 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103144540/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/kaapa-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc0xmdewnzm5|url-status=dead}}</ref> directed by [[Shaji Kailas]] and written by [[G. R. Indugopan]] based on his novel ''Shankhumukhi''. Produced by Fefka Writers Union, Theatre of Dreams and [[Saregama|Saregama India Limited]], it stars [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]], [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]], [[Aparna Balamurali]] and [[Anna Ben]].

The film was announced in August 2021 with [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] assigned as the director. However, he stepped down as director in May 2022, citing creative differences.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-05-31 |title=Did Venu opt out from directing Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Kaapa'? Details inside |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/did-venu-opt-out-from-directing-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa-details-inside/articleshow/91911506.cms |access-date=2023-12-01 |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Shaji Kailas later replaced him. [[Manju Warrier]] was initially cast as the lead actress but opted out due to schedule conflicts. She was replaced by Aparna Balamurali. [[Principal photography]] took place from July to September that year in [[Thiruvananthapuram]]. The music was composed by [[Dawn Vincent]] and Jakes Bejoy, cinematography was handled by [[Jomon T. John]] and editing by [[Shameer Muhammed]].

''Kaapa'' was released in theatres on 22 December 2022 and received mixed reviews from critics.

== Plot ==
Anand is an [[Information Technology|IT]] professional has recently moved to [[Thiruvananthapuram]] from [[Bangalore]] with his pregnant wife Binu Thrivikraman. During a routine police check in their neighbourhood, Anand learns that his wife's name is included in the "KAAPA" (Kerala Anti-Social Activities Prevention Act) list, a list that includes the names of all the local gangsters. Anand decides to clear Binu's name and sends her to his hometown to have a safe pregnancy.

Later, Anand meets Arumanayagam, a police constable to seek his help in removing Binu's name, and soon learns about her involvement in leading a gang and her rivalry with the city's leading gangster and upcoming politician Kotta Madhu, as Madhu was responsible for the death of Binu's brother. Anand meets Kotta Madhu and manages to earn his trust in order to help Binu. Later, Anand learns that a reporter named Latheef has hired goons to finish Madhu and informs Prameela, who later informs Madhu. Madhu thrashes them and Latheef gets scared of getting caught by Madhu.

Anand travels to Binu's hometown and arranges their baby's naming ceremony. Latheef meets Anand and reveals about his rivalry with Madhu resulted in his cousin Nazeer getting exiled to [[United Arab Emirates|UAE]]. Latheef tells Anand to broker a truce between him and Madhu so he can live a peaceful life. Though reluctant, Madhu agrees and arrives at the spot where the truce is to be finalized, but Madhu is killed in a bomb blast by a boy, whose life was severely damaged by Madhu as he bombed an assassin due to his orders and was sent to [[juvenile prison]].

Anand pays his last respect to Madhu and leaves the premises, feeling guilty about being used by Latheef. After Madhu's [[autopsy]] report, Prameela learns that Binu is wearing Madhu's ring; thus revealing that she was the mastermind behind Madhu's death and Latheef was her family-friend. Binu was also the faceless leader leading a gang and attempted to kill Madhu while Anand was busy proving her innocence. Prameela calls Binu and swears that she will avenge Madhu's death, while Binu also promises to protect her family without Anand's knowledge.

== Cast ==
{{castlist|
* [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] as P.N Madhu Kumar /Kotta Madhu
* [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]] as Anand Anirudhan
* [[Aparna Balamurali]] as Prameela, Madhu's wife
* [[Anna Ben]] as Binu Thrivikraman, Anand's wife
* [[Dileesh Pothan]] as Latheef
* [[Jagadish Kumar]] as Jabbar
* [[Nandu (Malayalam actor)|Nandu]] as [[Assistant sub-inspector of police|ASI]] Arumanayagam
* [[Senthil Krishna]] as Mohammad Nazeer aka 'Patthikkayyan' Nazeer
* [[Sajitha Madathil]] as Mohammad Nazeer's mother
* [[Biju Pappan]] as Sashankan
* Gundukaadu Sabu as District Collector
* [[Sagar Surya]] as Biju Thrivikraman, Binu's brother
* Vijayakumar Prabhakaran as police constable
}}

== Production ==
=== Development ===
On 17 August 2021, [[Prithviraj Sukumaran]] announced that [[Mammootty]] and [[Mohanlal]] would be launching a project on 18 August, the next day. That day, 18 August, the motion poster was shared by them and the title was revealed to be ''Kaapa''. The film was initiated by Fefka Writers Union. The title ''Kaapa'' is the short form of an act called ''Kerala Anti-social Activities (Prevention) Act''. [[Venu (cinematographer)|Venu]] was the director.<ref name=".">{{Cite web |title=Kaapa: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Manju Warrier, Asif Ali, and Anna Ben to star in FEFKA's film |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kaapa-prithviraj-sukumaran-manju-warrier-asif-ali-and-anna-ben-to-star-in-fefkas-film/articleshow/85420957.cms |website=[[The Times of India]] |date=18 August 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206060244/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kaapa-prithviraj-sukumaran-manju-warrier-asif-ali-and-anna-ben-to-star-in-fefkas-film/articleshow/85420957.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> But in May 2022, Venu opted out of the film as director due to creative differences between him and Fefka Writers Union. He was then replaced by [[Shaji Kailas]].<ref name="*">{{Cite web |title=Did Venu opt out from directing Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Kaapa'? Details inside |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/did-venu-opt-out-from-directing-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa-details-inside/articleshow/91911506.cms |website=The Times of India |date=31 May 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609105801/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/did-venu-opt-out-from-directing-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa-details-inside/articleshow/91911506.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Cinematographer [[Sanu Varghese]], editor [[Mahesh Narayanan]] and musician [[Justin Varghese]] were the initial technical crew of the film.<ref name="." /> They were later replaced by [[Jomon T. John]], [[Shameer Muhammed]] and musicians [[Dawn Vincent]] and [[Jakes Bejoy]] respectively. The film was scripted by [[G. R. Indugopan]] based on his novel ''Shankhumukhi''.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Kaapa': Makers unveil an intriguing teaser for the Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kaapa-makers-unveil-an-intriguing-teaser-for-the-prithviraj-sukumaran-starrer/articleshow/94909730.cms |website=The Times of India |date=17 October 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100252/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kaapa-makers-unveil-an-intriguing-teaser-for-the-prithviraj-sukumaran-starrer/articleshow/94909730.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Casting ===
The film was initially announced with the cast of Prithviraj Sukumaran, [[Asif Ali (actor)|Asif Ali]], [[Manju Warrier]] and [[Anna Ben]]. However, Manju Warrier left the film as she was busy with her schedules on shooting for [[Ajith Kumar]]'s ''[[Thunivu]]'' (2023).<ref name=":">{{Cite web |title=Manju Warrier opts out of 'Kaapa' due to her tight schedule |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/manju-warrier-opts-out-of-kaapa-due-to-her-tight-schedule/articleshow/93079232.cms |website=The Times of India |date=23 July 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100251/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/manju-warrier-opts-out-of-kaapa-due-to-her-tight-schedule/articleshow/93079232.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Aparna Balamurali]] came as the replacement. Actors [[Dileesh Pothan]], [[Jagadish Kumar]] and [[Nandu (Malayalam actor)|Nandu]] were later revealed to be part of the cast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National award-winning actress Aparna Balamurali replaces Manju Warrier in 'Kaapa' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/national-award-winning-actress-aparna-balamurali-replaces-manju-warrier-in-kaapa/articleshow/93153170.cms |website=The Times of India |date=27 July 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100251/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/national-award-winning-actress-aparna-balamurali-replaces-manju-warrier-in-kaapa/articleshow/93153170.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Filming ===
[[File:Tvmcityview.jpg|thumb|[[Thiruvananthapuram]], where the entire film was shot]]
Filming was to begin on 20 May 2022 but was postponed due to Venu opting out of the film.<ref name="*" /> [[Principal photography]] began on 15 July 2022 in VJT Hall, [[Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram]].<ref name=":" /> On 16 July, director Shaji Kailas sought permission from Chief Minister [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] for a day's shooting in the area around the [[Kerala Government Secretariat]] as the [[Government of Kerala]] had enforced a ban there for shooting.<ref>{{Cite web |title=No more film shooting around Kerala Secretariat now |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/no-more-film-shooting-around-kerala-secretariat-now/articleshow/92914455.cms |website=The Times of India |date=16 July 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100251/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/no-more-film-shooting-around-kerala-secretariat-now/articleshow/92914455.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> Sukumaran gave a 60 days date for the filming of ''Kaapa''. An action scene with Sukumaran was shot on 26 July.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Watch: Prithviraj Sukumaran performing fight sequences for 'Kaapa' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/watch-prithviraj-sukumaran-performing-fight-sequences-for-kaapa/articleshow/93160823.cms |website=The Times of India |date=27 July 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100251/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/watch-prithviraj-sukumaran-performing-fight-sequences-for-kaapa/articleshow/93160823.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> Filming came to a conclusion on 16 September 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=It's a schedule wrap for Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Kaapa' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/its-a-schedule-wrap-for-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa/articleshow/94248484.cms |website=The Times of India |date=16 September 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118102657/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/its-a-schedule-wrap-for-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa/articleshow/94248484.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Infobox album
| name = Kaapa
| type = soundtrack
| artist = [[Dawn Vincent]] and [[Jakes Bejoy]]
| cover =
| released = {{start date|2022||}}
| recorded = {{start date|2022||}}
| studio = * d's Den, [[Kochi]]
* NHQ, Kochi
* K7, Kochi
* Sonic Island, Kochi
* Mindscore Music, Kochi
* Pop Media House, Kochi
* Saptha Records, Kochi
| genre = [[Soundtrack|Film soundtrack]]
| length = {{Duration|m=6|s=44}}
| language = Malayalam
| label = [[Saregama|Saregama India Limited]]
| producer = [[Jakes Bejoy]]
| misc = {{Singles
| single1 = Yamam Veendum Vinnile
| single1date = 16 December 2022
| single2 = Thiru Thiru Thiruvananthapurathu
| single2date = 19 December 2022
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Dawn Vincent]]
| type =
| prev_title = [[The Teacher (2022 film)|The Teacher]]
| prev_year = 2022
| title = Kaapa
| year = 2022
| next_title =
| next_year =
}}
{{Extra chronology
| artist = [[Jakes Bejoy]]
| type =
| prev_title = [[Saturday Night (2022 film)|Saturday Night]]
| prev_year = 2022
| title = Kaapa
| year = 2022
| next_title = [[Iratta]]
| next_year = 2023
}}
}}

[[Dawn Vincent]] and [[Jakes Bejoy]] composed the film's music. All recordings were done at [[Kochi]]. The first single titled "Yamam Veendum Vinnile" was released on 16 December 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title='Yamam Veendum Vinnile': Makers unveil the lyrical song from Prithviraj starrer 'Kaapa' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/yamam-veendum-vinnile-makers-unveil-the-lyrical-song-from-prithviraj-starrer-kaapa/articleshow/96295725.cms |website=The Times of India |date=17 December 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118100252/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/yamam-veendum-vinnile-makers-unveil-the-lyrical-song-from-prithviraj-starrer-kaapa/articleshow/96295725.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}</ref> while the second single, "Thiru Thiru Thiruvananthapurathu", was released on 19 December 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title='Thiru Thiru Thiruvananthapurathu': Latest video song from Prithviraj Sukumaran's 'Kaapa' goes viral |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/thiru-thiru-thiruvananthapurathu-latest-video-song-from-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa-goes-viral/articleshow/96362884.cms |website=The Times of India |date=20 December 2022 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=21 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221221080517/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/thiru-thiru-thiruvananthapurathu-latest-video-song-from-prithviraj-sukumarans-kaapa-goes-viral/articleshow/96362884.cms |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{Track listing
| headline = Track listing
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Yamam Veendum Vinnile
| lyrics1 = [[Vinayak Sasikumar]]
| music1 = [[Dawn Vincent]]
| extra1 = [[Kapil Kapilan]]
| length1 = {{Duration|m=3|s=}}
| title2 = Thiru Thiru Thiruvananthapurathu
| lyrics2 = [[Santhosh Varma]]
| music2 = [[Jakes Bejoy]]
| extra2 = Subhash Babu B, Anugrah Digosh, Akhil J. Chand, Jakes Bejoy
| length2 = {{Duration|m=3|s=44}}
| total_length = {{Duration|m=6|s=44}}
}}

== Release ==
=== Theatrical ===
''Kaapa'' was released theatrically on 22 December 2022 during [[Christmas]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer 'Kaapa' to hit the big screens on December |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/prithviraj-sukumaran-starrer-kaapa-to-hit-the-big-screens-on-december/articleshow/95523038.cms |website=The Times of India |date=15 November 2022}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Kaapa'' had its post-theatrical streaming on [[Netflix]] starting from 19 January 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Prithviraj's Kaapa gets OTT release date |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithvirajs-kaapa-gets-ott-release-date-8378403/lite/ |website=[[The Indian Express]] |date=12 January 2023 |access-date=1 March 2023 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228163438/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithvirajs-kaapa-gets-ott-release-date-8378403/lite/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Critical response ===
Gopika I. S. of ''[[The Times of India]]'' gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "More or less, Shaji Kailas has succeeded in delivering a satisfying gangster movie."<ref>{{Cite web |last=IS |first=Gopika |date=24 December 2022 |title=Kaapa Movie Review: Interesting, if predictable, gangster movie |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/kaapa/movie-review/96481928.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202043616/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/kaapa/movie-review/96481928.cms |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> Latha Srinivasan of ''[[India Today]]'' gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote that "''Kaapa'' is one of the better films from Prithviraj this year, among the six releases he had. Those going to watch ''Kaapa'' for Shaji Kailas and Prithviraj must go with an open mind for a new experience."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=23 December 2022 |title=Kaapa Movie Review: This Prithviraj gangster drama is a different attempt from Shaji Kailas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaapa-movie-review-this-prithviraj-gangster-drama-is-a-different-attempt-from-shaji-kailas-2312309-2022-12-22 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128075902/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kaapa-movie-review-this-prithviraj-gangster-drama-is-a-different-attempt-from-shaji-kailas-2312309-2022-12-22 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref>

Sanjith Sridharan of ''[[OTTplay]]'' gave 3 out of 5 stars and wrote "Shaji Kailas hits a meter from the first scene of the film and maintains this till the end, which is a tough aspect to do and this makes the movie watchable."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/kaapa-movie-review-prithviraj-sukumaran-asif-alis-gangster-drama-lacks-emotional-heft-to-be-engaging-enough/70bfbaaee1890|title=Kaapa movie review: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Asif Ali's gangster-drama lacks emotional heft to be engaging enough|website=[[OTTplay]]}}</ref>

Manoj Kumar R. of ''[[The Indian Express]]'' gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Prithviraj's act as Madhu is hard to buy as he comes across as an indecisive and unwise criminal, despite being the head of a crime syndicate."<ref>{{Cite web |last=R |first=Manoj Kumar |date=22 December 2022 |title=Kaapa movie review: Prithviraj plays an unwise criminal in this unconvincing gangster drama |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kaapa-movie-review-prithviraj-8339006/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202043618/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kaapa-movie-review-prithviraj-8339006/ |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref>

Sowmya Rajendran of ''[[The News Minute]]'' gave 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Shaji Kailas's Prithviraj starrer doesn't work as a mass-action film because it doesn't have enough originality."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajendran |first=Sowmya |author-link=Sowmya Rajendran |date=23 December 2022 |title=Kaapa review: Prithviraj's action thriller is old wine in a prehistoric bottle |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaapa-review-prithviraj-s-action-thriller-old-wine-prehistoric-bottle-171250 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230162625/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/kaapa-review-prithviraj-s-action-thriller-old-wine-prehistoric-bottle-171250 |archive-date=30 December 2022 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> [[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] of ''[[Firstpost]]'' gave 1.75 out of 5 stars and wrote "Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shaji Kailas serve up a clichéd, bloody gangster drama in which women are not written as fully fleshed out characters but as mere plot devices."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vetticad |first=Anna MM |author-link=Anna M. M. Vetticad |date=24 December 2022 |title=Kaapa movie review: The 'trying to be a Mohanlal/Mammootty-type mass superstar' genre returns |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kaapa-movie-review-the-trying-to-be-a-mohanlal-mammootty-type-mass-superstar-genre-returns-11867711.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202043619/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kaapa-movie-review-the-trying-to-be-a-mohanlal-mammootty-type-mass-superstar-genre-returns-11867711.html |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=[[Firstpost]]}}</ref>

S. R. Praveen of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote "One sees glimmers of what the movie could have been in some of the well-conceived background stories, but director Shaji Kailas ends up giving it a predictable treatment."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Praveen |first=S. R. |date=22 December 2022 |title='Kaapa' movie review: Prithviraj Sukumaran stars in a typical gangland drama that brims with untapped potential |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kaapa-movie-review-prithviraj-sukumaran-stars-in-a-typical-gangland-drama-that-brims-with-untapped-potential/article66292357.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202043621/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kaapa-movie-review-prithviraj-sukumaran-stars-in-a-typical-gangland-drama-that-brims-with-untapped-potential/article66292357.ece |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=25 January 2023 |website=The Hindu}}</ref> Nirmal Jovial of ''[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]'' wrote "When compared with gangster films of the 2010s, Shaji Kailas's Kaapa is more of a safe-formula film. It ticks almost all boxes—slow-mos, stylised action, ultra-close-ups, punch dialogues."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/review/movies/2022/12/22/kaapa-review-shaji-kailas-prithviraj-gangster-movie-malayalam.html|title='Kaapa' review: A formulaic but largely enjoyable gangster drama|website=[[The Week (Indian magazine)|The Week]]}}</ref>

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|15251536}}
{{Shaji Kailas}}
[[Category:2022 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:2022 action thriller films]]
[[Category:2022 films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian gangster films]]
[[Category:Films based on Indian novels]]
[[Category:Films shot in Thiruvananthapuram]]
[[Category:Films directed by Shaji Kailas]]
[[Category:Yoodlee Films films]]

Kaapa - Revision history

KandacePolding at 00:35, 24 April 2026