Vaastu Prakaara Is Disappointing

Vaastu Prakaara is definitely not about Vaastu or its misinterpretations. But then what is it about is also unclear. Senseless talk of people who are in love, philosophical takes on love and life, if life is boring you ought to talk with a friend over a drink  and everything ends well in the climax - Yogaraj Bhat's formula for his brand of movies lately continues here too.  Only difference this time being all the dialogues are spoken in far off Switzerland and not in Karnataka. It isn't surprising if you find shades of Deepa Sannidhi from Paramaatma, Nidhi Subbaiah from Pancharangi or Aindrita Ray from Mansaare. It just goes to show that you have seen enough of Yogaraj Bhat's movies. The talk of invention of a new language for this movie, during the promotion of the film in the TV channels is a farce. It is speaking gibberish, which is neither new in Indian movies nor it requires an extraordinary talent. Convenient usage of English wherever required is enough to say that new language thing is just a gimmick. 

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

To make a film around the popularity of the word 'Vaastu' is a commendable job. In the first scene, when a Vaastu consultant in a TV program gives suggestions on Vaastu and at the end of the movie, on the same TV program, when words are spoken against Vaastu are the only two instances where Vaastu discussion comes into picture. But all the while, it is said that there is nothing called Vaastu. Also, when Jaggesh and Rakshit Shetty posing as Vaastu consultants talk about Vaastu compliances and what needs to be changed in the house of the client, they do not look convincing. A hurried script is evident from the dialogues. I would have expected some funny situations arising out of misinterpretations of Vaastu or some serious debate over it. More so, because director's earlier movies had dialogues or lines in songs which mocked Vaastu. But you would find none, which is very disappointing.

Only bright aspect I could find in the movie is the melodious song - besara, kaatara, gadda, hale haadu - which you would have already heard on FM radio or seen in a TV channel. So, the movie can be avoided at best.  

Bit Philosophical, Bit Comical - Thats Paramathma for you!

Read this article in Kannada here.

Most of who watched Paramathma pointed out at the lack of linear story in the narrative. But when I saw the movie, I thought it is this mindset Yogaraj Bhat wants to break and for some part he succeeds too if you observe the turn out in the first week.

Bhat-Harikrishna Combo : Right from the audio release of Paramathma, songs of the film have created a rage among the audience. Bhat as lyricist and Harikrishna as music director have delivered another power packed audio after the hugely popular Jackie songs. Bhat's witty lines in perfect tunes provide enjoyable experience - so much that we forget there are melodies from Jayant Kaykini too!

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

Philosophical : Bhattru gets philosophical at times in the film and tries to present the shades of human relationships. Scenes like Puneeth visiting Buddhist monks, Avinash hitting Puneeth disguised in Bear's(Karadi) costume go to show that. Add to that the noise making dabba(box)! Even in the Kannada rap lyrics(with Kanglish lines) director infuses philosophical lines - Anumaana irada anuraaga illa(There is no love without doubt). Or take the example of mocking song about failed students. Systemme sariyalla chombeshwara, Prime minister aagbidla onde sala(System is not right, How about me becoming a Prime minister at once!) summarizes it all. Though Yogaraj Bhat presents his own philosophy, the questions presented in the movie are universal like following one's dreams and the dilemma in making choices. In a single line, Yogaraj equates one's heart to the almighty(Paramathma)!

Happy First Half : First half of the film presents the happy outlook of life. Witty dialogues turn the whole theater into a sea of laughter. Even the media created love story adds to the fun. Kone Male(Last Rain) presenting the stereotyped film makers of Gandhinagar is hilarious.

Serious Second Half : Second half of the movie gets a bit serious. You also start feeling whether the movie is going into disarray. But the protagonist constructing his dream house which is linked to the first half gets it back on track.

Extreme Reactions : Extreme reactions are expected of a film like this. After watching the film on the first day my friend Sandeep messaged saying Paramathma is too complicated for Sandalwood. On the other hand, reaction of a frustrated movie-goer was 'Ee film nodokke black ll bere barbeku' ((Why) I should buy tickets in black to watch a movie like this!)

Though I would not state that the film is without flaws. Even with its shortcomings Paramathma presents a new look of the Kannada cinema. But I would ask Bhat to do one thing - "Sir, change the theme of love in your films :)"

You can now watch the movie Paramathma online on hometalkies.com - Thanks to the efforts Pawan Kumar, the director of Lifeu Ishtene.

Here's an interesting post on Paramathma.
5 lessons Bollywood can learn from ‘Paramathma’

Pancharangi Film Review

Its another case of a big director movie being a big let down. Well, I see Pancharangi as a continuation of his earlier venture Manasaare. Yogaraj Bhat has presented Manohar(Diganth) of Manasaare who was a jobless youth in a new avatar as Bharath Kumar. Similarities show up from the first scene. Its a classic case of a frustrated youth making fun of the way people live and view life. Of course, director has used the same dialogue style(that of being different from what people normally speak) he employed in Mungaaru Male. But here, Diganth and Nidhi take up that job which was Ganesh's USP then.

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

Looking at the pace of the movie, you will wonder whether its going to be all new view on life. But wait, it takes only few minutes before you realize otherwise. But then you have brighter aspects in the movie too. The case of Nityananda Swami seems to have inspired one of the characters, which is well portrayed. Also, the herd mentality of the people who watch numerous astrology programs on most of the national and regional TV channels and believe whatever the astrologer says takes a bashing here.

Well, dialogues for some part of the film entertain the audience. But they seem to be on similar lines. I found the trailer of the movie more interesting than the actual movie. Watching the movie, I fee director seems to be in confusion about his view on life. Whatever it is, the film is definitely not up to the mark, where you would go to the movie by just seeing director Yogaraj's name.

Manasaare Film Review

FYI : This is 200th post in Ee Prapancha.

Much awaited Kannada film Manasaare got released today. Film begins with song Ondu kanasu just like in Gaalipata. Neethu who was paired up with Diganth in Gaalipata, has acted in a guest role here. Whether it was to bring back the Gaalipata chemistry(which was by the way well received by the Kannada audience) here too? That is the question, director of the movie has to answer.

15-20 minutes from the beginning of the film is a good watch with comedy sequences featuring Diganth. But, soon the jovial mood in the film turns into a serious one. This continues for rest of the film canvas with tinges of comedy here and there.

Manohar(Diganth) is a jobless bachelor. He is in love with Bhamini(Neethu) but she deserts him for a well earning groom. Manohar being happy go lucky guy, never minds it. One night in Bangalore, Manohar is mistaken for a mental patient and taken away to a mental hospital in Malligepura in Kodagu. His efforts to prove himself sane prove futile. Even though he manages to escape from there, he comes back because of his love at first sight in the hospital on the day of escape! And now, he plans to elope with his lady love in the hospital van and of course, he succeeds too.

Photo Courtesy : Oneindia.in

Devika(Aindrita) who is also a mental patient, hates all men and her reaction towards them is to stab them. She, unaware of Manohar's motives tries to stab him, once she thinks that she has been kidnapped. She insists on returning to hospital and on her way back to hospital, spends 2 days with him and needless to say, love blooms. Also, Devika recovers to normal mental health. And now, when everything is going smooth in Manohar's life, hospital authorities come to know that Manohar is mistaken for Mahendra, another mental patient. This infuriates Devika, who thinks that Manohar is cheating her. Manohar is evicted out of the hospital and his future seems gloomy. Well, then Devika comes to know that Manohar is a good guy and they live happily ever after.

Script as you might have realized by now is weak. Predictable sequences mar the interest of the audience. Also, songs seems to have been stuffed. In a 2 hour movie, you can imagine how difficult it is to put 7 songs. In a way songs tries to lower the pace of the movie, which is otherwise fast paced. Also, several sequences appear unnatural - like, it is quite easy to escape out of the mental hospital and come back again! Bride(Bhamini) confessing her love to other guy(Diganth), taking some time off from the wedding reception! Manohar's uncle wearing patient's dress and climbing hospital wall, to see his future daughter-in-law!

Songs have been well shot but that solely, seems to be the success mantra of Gandhinagar nowadays. Diganth walks away with good performance. Dialogues in north Karnataka lingo are homorous and makes you laugh. Kudos to Raju Thalikote. At the end of the movie, I thought keeping only 3-4 songs with little more on-screen chemistry between Diganth and Aindritha would have made the film much better. What say, folks?