TWO TALES OF FILIAL LOVE...AND MUCH MORE!

Will Durant, an American writer, historian and philosopher, said: “Family is the nucleus of civilization”. Well...that is exactly what Harivu ('ಹರಿವು' meaning 'flow')– an offbeat, “national-award-winning” Kannada film– explores. Specifically, the flick examines deeply, and splendidly too, the spectrum of emotions that underpin “father-son” relationships. It weaves myriad strands of joy and sorrow; of love and care; and of hope and dreams to portray the tapestry of family life on the silver screen.

The plot, based on Dr. Asha Benakappa's report of a true story, threads together the lives of two strangers on a road journey– one, a poor farmer who's in Bengaluru for the treatment of his son suffering from a serious illness; the other, a young media professional whose father is hospitalised with a life-threatening condition.

Manso Re, the director, takes you on a melancholic roller-coaster ride, in which poverty is pitted against human dignity; and, self-interest against familial togetherness. He narrates the travails of the common man in a corrupt society, while bringing out the stark contrast between the farmer's tender love for his son and the media professional's apathy for his ailing father.

The film conveys poignantly how pain, grief and suffering, on one hand; money, greed and indifference, on the other, suffuse our fast-paced social milieu and strain human relationships. Moments of sorrow and sacrifice are captured subtly on celluloid in this masterpiece.

Every actor, including the supporting cast, has acted with ease and aplomb. Sanchari Vijay has practically lived his role to realistically portray the life of the poor farmer. Screenplay is somewhat choppy. The film perhaps is a tad too amateurish technically; but then, the rawness adds to the cinematic appeal.

“Harivu” is a film that moves your mind, heart and soul! It is sure to leave a lump in your throat!

A MUST WATCH!

I rate it 9 on 10!