Koormavatara Kannada Film Review

Lord Vishnu takes the form of tortoise(kurma) in his second avatar according to Hindu puranas. Girish Kasavalli's film Koormavatara which is based on a story written by one of the finest writers in Kannada, Kum Veerabhardappa, takes this pretext in its plot. 

Dr Shikaripura Krishnamurthy as Mahatma Gandhi in Koormavatara

Rao, a government employee cares less for his family but more for his work resembles Mahatma Gandhi in appearance. On being asked to play the role of Gandhi in a TV serial, though he initially refuses finally he yields to familial pressure. But Rao, an emotionally withdrawn person, finds it difficult to act. Also, he does not know much about the Mahatma. Gradually Rao improves his acting skills as well as his knowledge about father of the nation. In the process, he also imbibes Gandhi's ideals. How does this change his life and lives around him forms the crux of the movie.

For most past, feature film draws parallel between life of Mahatma Gandhi and that of protagonist. It also represents different perceptions prevalent about the man. But Rao's transformation to a man of emotions does not look convincing. I also found lack of clarity in some sequences. For instance, there is a sequence where Rao helps a guy in renewing his license to operate a shop which sells tobacco products (which is located near a school) when officials did not renew it even after accepting bribe. But here, there is a rule which says one should not be allowed to sell tobacco products within one hundred meters from the school premises. Gandhi's ideals do not come into play here, which is surprising. Next example is of share trading compared with gambling.

In the end, abrupt climax leaves the viewer in bitter taste. Definitely, not one of Kasaravalli's best.

Kanasembo Kudureyaneri Film Review

Girish Kasaravalli's latest venture Kanasembo Kudureyaneri looks at how differently men view death. Changes have been made to the original story by Amaresh Nugadoni on which the film is based and it presents the rational side of things as is the case with most of Kasaravalli's films.

At the beginning of the film, audience is presented with a quote of Jean-Luc Godard, a famous French film maker - “A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end... but not necessarily in that order” and spectator realizes this as the movie progresses. The film presented as a sequence of events happening during three days are not in chronological order. This presentation may create confusion in the minds of those who have already read the story and also those who have not read it. This may also prompt them to go for a second viewing too.

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

But to get the gist of the story, this is not a hindrance. This technique of randomly presenting the scenes is not new to Kannada industry, as director Upendra presented the same in his debug film as hero in 'A'. He called the technique '2-D' then and asked for a intelligent audience for his film. One different aspect of Girish's films is his use of different dialects of Kannada. If it was Kundapura Kannada in Gulabi talkies, it is North Karnataka lingo here.

Man's dreams are a product of his beliefs. There are no dreams without beliefs, and there is no life without dreams. Modern civilization has impacted human thinking in a profound way. His beliefs have changed. Hollowness of human relations gets exposed very easily during these times. As he becomes more logical in his thinking with selfish motives he tries to keep away from his loved ones(or once?). The film explores all these aspects in a sensitive manner. Film has been presented with light hearted humour as well as sarcasm. Vaijanath Biradar who is branded as a comedian gives one of his best performances here as a grave digger. So, is Umashri who acts as his wife.

As far as the title is concerned(Kanasembo Kudureyaneri - Riding the stallion of a dream), it is appropriate as the film is the sum total of Eerya(Biradar) and his wife's dreams. It is difficult to present dream on screen. Kasaravalli succeeds partially in that. Film as such is a worth watch.