I would consider the movie "delicious and delectable" . These are adjectives you would use for food but they go so well in describing this movie. Arishadwarga going strictly by the meaning point towards the six enemies of the mind- kama (lust), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), Mada (pride), moha (attachment), and matsarya (jealousy). The movie comes a full circle and describes how people inadvertently commit these six sins during the course of their life and the circumstances which made them commit the same.
The movie doesn't have any real "big stars" of the industry but yet doesn't fizzle out in terms of talent or performance. Anju Alva Nayak makes a convincing housewife but not completely in the traditional sense. The movie very subtly hints at the trials and tribulations of a late marriage though not dwelling unnecessarily on the same.
Mahesh Bung and Samyukta Hornad are struggling actors and they accurately depict the hurdles faced by actors starting off in the entertainment industry. Mahesh Bung along with being an actor is a part time gigolo and shows us a peek into the dark side of what people have to go through to eke out a living in pursuit of what he loves to do which is acting.
Our society has also downplayed a woman's sexual needs and is often satisfied in pretending that a woman is content with only breeding for the continuation of progeny. The film sensitively handles the subject albeit with some thrill . Avniash Yelandur comes off as a person who is conscious of his standing in his society, wants to be the strong virile man but isn't which in several frames he shows off with great strength.
Sripathi Manjanbailu plays a small but very significant role in the film. He's the voice of the society which nobody listens to.
Gopalkrishna Deshpande's performance doesn't look forced. He appears throughout the movie. His character gels into the movie and his innocence shines through. Balaji Manohar's frames makes the movie even more interactive. The sound design is brilliant and that's one thing which I'm glad that it was released first in theatres than OTT.
Bhangi sedo Bhangi is the first track in the movie and is a pure psychedelic party. Kudos to Udith Harithas.
I'm told by certain sources that no OTT has come up to grab it. This makes me think that the criteria to source content on Amazon prime and Netflix goes a lot beyond good movies. ( The last 4 new Kannada releases in Kannada on prime were unbearable.).
One of the few movies released after Covid and we are off to a good start. Overall , a very good start to movies opening on the big screen. Thumbs up.
