MORE BLIND BELIEF IN RELIGION OR... IN SCIENCE?

Albert Einstein articulated his view on the science-religion debate as: “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.” Eloquent indeed!

"ಸಂಕಲ್ಪ" ('Sankalpa', which translates to 'Resolution') is a 1973, award-winning Kannada film, which dramatizes the eternal conflict between science-based cures and faith-driven healing. The big picture though is that of the theism-atheism battle drawn on the canvas of rational knowledge systems and traditional beliefs.

This movie has the protagonist, Dr. Raju (Anant Nag in his debut film), an atheistic psychotherapist, taking on a devout, saintly man, Bhagwan Balayogi Baba (CR Simha) with self-proclaimed supernatural powers. Raju's wife, an agnostic, too partakes in rituals that the monk suggests at the behest of Raju's orthodox father for unearthing a treasure.

During the course of rituals, the monk, firm in his belief and pure in his action, is able to perform miracles. But soon, he gets physically attracted to Gowri, consequent to which he loses his spiritual powers and is unable to save a dying child, even as a medical doctor looks on helplessly. Aggrieved and overwhelmed by his own failure, the saint renounces his exalted position and leaves Raju's home.

The movie attempts to depict the futility of faith and superstition as juxtaposed to the rationality of science. But then, it forgets that many aspects of medical science— Placebo and Nocebo Effects, for instance— are inexplicable; so too the failure of science in finding cures to chronic illnesses or treatments for hypochondria.

The biased obsession in the story of ridiculing faith makes for a weak, monomaniacal narrative, which lacks nuanced handling of an excellent theme. The film perhaps would have been a more compelling watch had it examined the role of “blind faith” in medicine and the healing process instead.

The result: a tedious flick that reminds you of Oscar Wilde's piercing words: “ridicule is the tribute paid to the genius by the mediocrities.”

Anant Nag's copious acting talent is apparent in the film; however, the real star is CR Simha. PV Nanjaraja Urs' direction is adequate, despite being somewhat predictably hackneyed. Editing, screenplay and cinematography are below average. The background score is soulful.

I rate it: 6.5 on 10!