Chitra Varga

‘ We are all children of one great mother, Nature ’ is a well-known Earth Day quote. That quote dovetails rather well with William Wordsworth’s quote of: “ Nature never did betray the heart that loved her .”   ಕಾಂತಾರ ( Kāntāra , which translates to “Mystical Forest”) is a 2022 Kannada -language  action thriller that explores man-nature conflict against the backdrop of culture and heritage. The critically-acclaimed film takes us through the eternal struggle between need and greed of humans. Oh…it was a commercial blockbuster and won myriad awards too! The film starts with the story of a powerful, but respected ruler of a large, prosperous 19 th Century kingdom. Despite having a loving family and happy subjects, the ruler was desolate and depressed. So, he sets out aimlessly in quest for bliss, happiness and tranquility. Eventually, the forlorn king finds inner peace and spiritual succor in a remote forest at a sacred stone, which inhabitants of the forest worship as the g...

It is oft said that ‘variety is the spice of life’! Surely true, that…except when the variety pertains to marital affairs and matrimonial matters! “ ಇಕ್ಕಟ್ ” (‘ Ikkat , which translates to: ‘ Crisis’ and also ‘Dilemma’ ), is a 2021 Kannada language film, written, directed and edited by Haseen and Esham Khan. The sweet, situation comedy, rib-tickling if I may add, features the lives of a young, middle-class couple during the COVID-lockdown. Vasu (Nagabhushana) and his wife, Janvi (Bhoomi Shetty) constantly squabbles over trivialities. One such spat gets the couple to even contemplate divorce. Dude Maga (RJ Vikki), Janvi’s TikTok buddy lands up unannounced and suggests elopement. Janvi flatly rejects the proposition; however, she allows Dude Maga to stay on surreptitiously without Vasu’s knowledge. In the meantime, Vasu’s relative, Karna Uncle (Sundar Veena) too shows up uninvited. That prepares the perfect recipe for some hilarious moments entailing exorcism of imaginary ghost...

Karma, it’s said, is like a boomerang─ you get what you give.    A great leveler, it does take some pushing and prodding at times though. “ ಬಯಸದೇ ಬಂದ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ” (‘ Bayasade Banda Bhagya’ , which translates to: ‘ Undesired Fortune ’), is a 1977 Kannada film that has karmic circularity for its theme. Based on a story penned by Tamil writer, Bala Murugan, the flick has a somewhat banal ‘ bridging the rich-poor divide ’ plot about equality, which quibbling film pundits are sure to nitpick on. Nonetheless dandy dialogues, packed to the hilt with dramatic content, makes it delightful watch. Ramu (Vishnuvardhan), a driven ‘n diligent student, albeit impoverished, cherishes dreams of becoming a collector. He is steadfast in his belief that one should be goal-oriented in life. His bosom friend, Lakshmana (Ram Gopal) is a privileged guy, given to a life of opulence and plenitude. Assertive Shanti (Manjula) and arrogant Geetha (Sri Lalitha) are respectively the daughters of a poor farmer...

Some say love is an “emotion experienced by many and enjoyed by a few” . However, that emotion of love is elusive for many, who don’t get to either enjoy or experience it. “ ಬೆಸುಗೆ ” (‘ Besuge ’, which means ‘ Solder ’) is a 1976 Kannada film. Based on the work of renowned novelist Ashwini, the romantic drama was a commercial hit― its original music, comprised of six tracks, was no doubt a bigger blockbuster. It won numerous awards too. Venu (Srinath) is a rich non-resident Indian. A family friend, Liz (Sathyapriya) becomes smitten by Venu, who spurns her overtures of love…for he is haunted by well-entrenched memories of an ugly and tragic past that reside in the innermost recesses of his mind and have messed up his mental well-being. So, Venu returns to India to exorcise the deep-rooted demons from his dark childhood. Back home after a long time, he is torn between a sweet, orphaned maid, Suma (Manjula) and a hot, loaded relative, Champa (Jayalakshmi). Does Venu fall for the a...

Motivational speakers routinely exhort that ‘success belongs to those who care not for circumstances to create opportunity for themselves’ . True! Often though, circumstances intensify the drive in people for shaping successful lives. “ ಜೋಶ್ ” (‘ Jhossh ’, which translates in Kannada slang to ‘ High Spirits ’) is a 2009 Kannada film. The flick was a high grosser at the box office. After garnering both critical acclaim and popular applause, it went on an award-winning spree too. The movie was later remade in Tamil ( Yuvan ) and Telugu ( Keratam ). Rocky (Rakesh Adiga), a college student, hails from a middle-class family. He constantly yearns for a loving relationship with his heartthrob. Poorna (Meena) rebuffs his romantic overtures though. The love smitten Rocky then shifts his attention to Meera (Nithya Menen). The fallout: his academic performances suffer, even as his classmates pursue their respective passions and become upwardly mobile in life. So how does the ‘coming of ag...

  “ The greatest rules of dramatic writing…,” it has been said, “… are conflict, conflict, conflict.” Copy that! When the conflict is infused with the suspense and mystery of murder, the drama is high and intense. “ ಒಲವು ಗೆಲುವು ” (‘ Olavu Geluvu ’, which means: ‘ Fondness Victory ’) is a 1977 Kannada film which has conflict in romance wrapped in a murder mystery. Audiences gave the movie the seal of approval, in large measure due its mesmerizing music. The popular film was a money-spinner. Mohan (Dr. Rajkumar) is a strict English professor in a college. One of his students, Rohini (Lakshmi) develops a crush on him. Typical tomfoolery follows. Soon the attraction leads to seduction, which turns into mutual affection and courtship. Rohini’s father, Ramaswamy (Upasane Seetharam), an industrialist, gives his consent for the betrothal too. The romance though is short lived, for Mohan’s familial problems scuttle the relationship. The story of his tryst with love turns into an endea...

Someone said: “ A strong woman stands up for herself; a stronger woman stands up for everybody else. ” True! Strong women stand up for gender equality and justice too.   “ ಕಾನೂರು ಹೆಗ್ಗಡತಿ ” (‘ Kanooru Heggadithi ’ , which translates to: ‘ Headwoman of Kanooru’ ) is a 1999 Kannada movie that narrates the story of women in a feudal family and patriarchal society during the pre-independence era. Based on a novel penned by renowned Jnanpith-awardee, Dr. Kuvempu, the flick recreates the customs, couture and culture of the period faithfully. A visual treat, the film found critical appeal and approval; it won a host of awards too. The movie takes you back to early 20 th Century when British imperialism was waning, even as patriotic and nationalistic fervor was waxing. Inspired by Indian leaders; influenced by the call to freedom; and, with idealism for impetus, the educated youth had begun to rise against feudalism and patriarchy in society. Hoovayya (Suchendra Prasad) is a libera...

The American novelist and Nobel laureate, Ernest Hemingway wrote that ‘(it’s) better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’   Needless to say, it is implied in the quote that it is ‘ best to have loved and won ’! “ ಅರಸು ” (‘ Arasu ’ or ‘ King ’ in Kannada) is a 2007 regional movie that has the ‘ loss and gain of love’s labour ’ for a theme. The romantic drama had the all-too-familiar trope of ‘cementing the rich-poor class divide’; the narration used that theme with novelty though― so, the film came as a whiff of fresh air. It was a commercial success and won some awards for its cast and crew too. Shivaraj Aras (Puneet Raj Kumar) is a daring, dashing and dapper NRI. The son of a business magnate, he is content living off the inherited wealth that his father had diligently amassed. Thus, born with a silver spoon, Shivaraj leads a life of comfort and luxury…the odd barroom brawl excepted. Circumstances though force Aras to head back to India. Upon return, the...

It has been said that history and folklore link the people of any land. Sure enough! However, while history is mostly fact, folklore is all fun and fiction, some of which is perhaps rooted in fact. “ ನಾಗಮಂಡಲ ” (‘ Nagamandala ’, which is the name of a ‘ ritualistic festival for propitiating the Snake God ’ celebrated in the coastal regions of Karnataka) is a 1997 Kannada film that captivated critics; it won numerous awards too. The drama is an adaptation of a Girish Karnad play based on a popular folktale of North Karnataka― its plotline though is similar to that of Rajasthani writer, Vijaydan Detha’s short story, Duvidha . Appanna (Prakash Raj; credited as Prakash Rai) is a grumpy, callous and insensitive newly-wed. Filled to the brim with toxic, suffocative masculinity, he routinely neglects his demure, bashful young bride, Rani (Vijayalakshmi). Yet, the obdurate fellow unfaithfully continues an illicit, extra-marital relationship with Cheluvi (Vanita Vasu), his concubine. Depri...