Kannada film KANASEMBO KUDUREYANNERI review

• DIRECTOR Girish Kasaravalli
• ACTORS Biradara, Umashree, Sadashiv Brahamavar, Pavithra Lokesh, Shivaranjan
• RUN TIME 90 mins
• CERTIFICATION U

At a time when fake Kasaravallis flood Kannada’s parallel cinema, the master returns to the arena, re-affirming our faith in art films. Having said that, Kanasembo Kudureyanneri is not the best of Kasaravalli’s works. As always, the film is simple in its content, but does not necessarily ignite you. (Like most of his works did).

Irya is a gravedigger and lives in pitiable condition with his wife Rudri. His belief in his profession prevents him from taking any other labour. But it is not every day that someone dies in the village. His wife takes up the responsibility of earning the daily morsel. Irya dreams of Siddha, his community God, promising him ‘work’ the following day. He believes the village landlord has passed away. But his belief is shattered when he is told there has been no death. His wife’s dream of Siddha's arrival also proves to be false. But the reality turns out to be something different. Irya's dreams are crushed from becoming realities by the manner in which the well-off people in the village use it to re-establish and save their own belief systems.

The non-linear narrative, a first in Kasaravalli films, was not completely essential. Only in two scenes does it have some impact. The technique is not used to reveal different perspectives of the same situation by different people, but only to show some additional information, not visible to the other. The climax seems like an afterthought that does not exactly connect with the original storyline.

Brilliant in Irya’s role, kannada acotr Biradara proves his talent after being marginalised in commercial cinema as a comedian. As convincing is Umashree as Rudri. Veteran actor Sadashiv Brahamavar should pick up an award or two for his role in the film.

Kasaravalli's attention to detail, in all departments, is the reason for the good show by every actor and technician in the film. V Manohar's music is rustic and charming and ‘more’ than what you find in regular art films. HM Ramachandra's cinematography is another major highlight. Kanasembo Kudureyanneri is a good film for serious film aficionados; but it does not ignite you. Not quite a master’s work, shall we add. Yet, it has glimpses of his brilliance.

ANTHARATHMA - Kannada movie review

DIRECTOR: Shankar B

ACTORS: Mithun Tejaswi, Vishaka Singh, Umashree, Rangayana Raghu, Rohan

There is a great deal of difference between Indian and Hollywood ghosts. Our ghosts and supernatural beings have a single-minded devotion to scaring the living. Hollywood ghosts, however, come in all shapes, sizes and attitudes. Antaratma is first-time director Shankar’s Kannada version of Hollywood’s G h o s t . He proves he is upto task. He does one better by claiming the credit for the story for which Bruce Joel Rubin won an Oscar way back in 1990.

Kannada actor Mithun Tejaswi turns into a ghost very early in the film after he is killed for his money. Only one other person (his colleague Rohan) knows that Rs 14 crore has been mysteriously deposited in his account. The ghost of Mithun has to save his w i f e (Vishaka Singh) from bad elements who are after the money. The poor thing, however, finds that he has a lot to learn as a ghost before he can be of any help or threat to the living. A fake ghostbuster (Umashree) is the only person who can hear him and reluctantly helps him. Rangayana Raghu, a train obsessed dead man helps him learn the tricks of the ghost trade.

This Antharathma is unlike any other atma Kannada audience have seen before. For this and the fact that Shankar manages never to falter in the narrative makes this a very enjoyable watch. Kannada actress Umashree takes over the film with her brilliant performance, especially in the second half. It is worth watching the film again for her alone. Her comic timing is unbelievably perfect. The lead pair chemistry is good and Rohan Gowda proves a future kannada actor. The songs are good. Enjoy watching.