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.  

Mythri reaches out well!

You can read the review of Mythri in Kannada here.

Mythri, the Kannada movie, presents a serious issue through humor as well as touches the cinematic sensibilities of the audience on the way. That apart, catchy punchlines set the tempo in the movie! It is not that movie is without stereotyped characters or predictable twists in the story. But the film manages to go beyond that and raises the voice of that social segment which is downtrodden and considered to be antisocial. We have seen the crew in other films boasting their film to be different during promotions, which more often than not prove to be false. But Mythri truly differs in treatment of the subject handled by very few. It is also heartening to see Giriraj utilizing second half and climax in the movie to full effect, which is a rare phenomenon in Kannada cinema nowadays. There is no hesitation in calling this movie, a bridge film as it finely blends elements of parallel and mainstream cinema. But some scenes which show too much violence and some which seem explicit could have been avoided. In that sense, movie could have been subtle in some aspects. Having said that I would say movie is a fine effort in a time when Kannada movie industry is stuggling to come up with original scripts.

Juvenile crime and harsh realities around it form the crux of the movie. Depiction of antisocial elements who take advantage of the loopholes in juvenile law in India and prejudices against juvenile criminals come out well in the film. Though at times one feels the shadow of the Slumdog millionaire on the movie, Mythri retains its distinctness.

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

It is good to see many hands join for a movie made with a good intention. Many big names in the industry - Malayalam movie legend Mohanlal, Kannada superstar Puneeth Rajkumar, director Shashank, Atul Kulkarni and Ravi Kale, who are known for their fine performances play their part in acting. Music maestro Ilayaraj has rendered the music for the film. Yogaraj Bhat and Jayanth Kaykini well known for their lyrics for popular Kannada numbers and poet H S Venkateshamurthy have penned the songs. Bhavana Menon, Satyajith, Sadhu Kokila play guest roles. Interestingly, director Giriraj himself has lent his voice for Ravi Kale’s role of Guli Prathap. Success of Mythri is a tribute to this combined effort as film continues to run for the second week in many theatres of Bangalore. Already the buzz in Gandhinagar is about this movie being made in Telugu with Nagarjuna playing the of role which Puneeth played. If that materializes, it would be a feather in cap for the team.

Earlier, B M Giriraj had directed a short film ‘Navilaadavaru’, much before ‘Jatta’, which won Karnataka state award for being the second best film. You can find review of ‘Navilaadavaru’ here. Also, have a look at the trailer of the movie Mythri in the youtube link below.

Forum Mall, Mangalore

Forum Mall is the latest addition to the list of malls in Mangalore. It is the largest mall in the city and is located in Pandeshwar. It houses the popular cinema chain PVR. Here are the latest photos of the mall when it was soaking in the festive spirit of Onam.

PAGDI Explores Our Life And Times

Dhalwinder Singh is a typical happy go lucky guy who has followed the regular path of an I T professional and now he is about to land in the world of opportunities – The United States. Dhalwinder, brought up in a middle class conservative family in Amritsar, always dreamt of life in live and happening Delhi. So, when he gets a chance to pursue his engineering degree in the capital, he grabs it. Life in Delhi and an IT job in Bangalore – Dhalwinder’s dreams of a materialistic life come true. In the process, he would have soured ties with his family, his father in particular who was not in favor of him leaving his hometown.

In the US, when he receives a message of his father’s death, he comes to know of a fact which disturbs him. He then recollects his past years to know what went wrong. Presented in first person, life of Dhalwinder is portrayed brilliantly by Samta Shikhar and Vivek Vijayakumaran.

What do we lose in our endless pursuit of world of opportunities and wealth? How much we give up in this chase or rather how much should we give up? The English play PAGDI tries to answer these questions in a subtle way.

Dhalwinder is proud of being a software professional unlike Bunty his cousin, who runs a travel agency in Amritsar. He is proud to be in the US. He had seen his father showering praises on foreigners for them being polite and courteous and terming his own countrymen as barbarians. Dhalwinder was puzzled at his remarks then. Also, it made no sense to him why his father was so religious. He always wanted to come out of all the mediocrity surrounding him. But at what price? He was soon going to find out as he starts pondering over the end result of the race for a better life. One interesting part of the play is the climax. Though seems unconnected many times in the play the sequences, they converge in the climax which is sure to thrill the first time audience. Kudos to the playwright Swetanshu Bora for keeping the viewer puzzled till the end.

Dialogues of the play are hard hitting. On landing in US, Dhalwinder quickly proclaims ‘A job in the US cut shorts the years of slog in India’. After introducing him to the employer he sheepishly says ‘I will not leave your country’. In these competitive times, he asserts ‘Nobody has the time to look at and analyze the past’. Looking at profession Bunty is in, he questions ‘Do you think you are more successful than me?’ When Dhalwinder's sister Pummy messages him about her marriage in English mentioning 'Marriage Next Month' with venue and timings without any pleasantries either in English or Punjabi, for which Dhalwinder exclaims 'We have gone so far that language between us had changed' indicating the missing hospitality of mother tongue and sweetness of inviting lines.

Though PAGDI does not explores many facets of what we lose in our materialistic desires, it uncovers a face and it is worth watch.

Lucia is brilliant

Lucia made news right from its funding. Every move team Lucia made was exciting for the audience which is predominantly Facebook generation which was getting regular Facebook updates from Pawan Kumar. Many of us became integral part of the movie in various ways - by becoming producers, by being part of the film shoot, by competing to become a contributor to the movie or simply by observing the developments. Now after seeing the movie, its brilliant execution makes us proud for a movie which we call our own.

Lucia is a ground breaking movie with a story line which is unusual for a Kannada flick. Awesome camera work captures the essence of the engaging movie. Nikki is an usher in a talkies who suffers from insomnia. He starts getting wild dreams of becoming a film star after a fateful encounter. Real and imaginary halves of Nikki which are intertwined form the crux of the story line.But to find when the fine lines between reality and illusion blur you need to watch movie.

Though a thought provoking film, Pawan Kumar has not shied away from adding commercial elements to the movie like an item song and action sequences which fit perfectly. Witty dialogues add to glamour of the movie. As in his previous movie, he presses for the cause of Kannada without being rhetoric. One can also see the dig at the way Kannada film industry is run today without being explicit. You can also find Pawan paying tribute to other equally good directors in the industry today in some scenes which is an encouraging sign. I believe Lucia should herald a new era in the Kannada film industry and Pawan Kumar has found the audience he was targeting at for these kind of movies.

Following is the video where one of finest actors of Indian cinema, Irrfan Khan shares his thoughts about the movie.

Buy Lucia Kannada Movie DVD here

Renovated Putturu Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple and Annual Chariot Festival

800 year old Putturu Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple was renovated recently. With the help of devotees and volunteers temple was restored to its glory in a year's time. Punarpratishta and Brihmakalashotsava ceremony was held from 5th May to 16th May 2013. Due to renovation, annual chariot festival of the temple had been postponed and was held between 16th to 26th May 2013. Here are some photos of the temple after renovation. Also, included are the pictures of chariot festival held this year.

Mahatobhara Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple, Putturu, D.K

Shivalinga in front of the Temple

Temple Chariot of Putturu Shri Mahalingeshwara Temple

Entertainment stalls at the Festival

Toy store at the Festival

Bird's View of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple Festival Ground

Temple Chariot (Brahma Ratha) electrified

Dragon Train at the festival

New cartoon characters on display at a traditional setting