Chitra Varga

The work of assassins is in the seedy, dark underworld; its impact is felt in the open, bright world of the mainstream though. That’s an undeniable fact. But, what effect does the assassin’s work in the macrocosm of fugitive dons, criminal gangs and villainous mobsters have on his own microcosm of personal life and love? “ ಎದೆಗಾರಿಕೆ ” (‘ Edegarike ’ or ‘Guts’) is a 2012 Kannada film that takes a realistic look into the misty-murky world of sharpshooters. The crime drama won widespread critical appreciation and was a huge success at the box-office too. Agni Shridhar’s literary work of the same name provides the plot, which is evidently inspired by true incidents and real gangsters from the 1990's. The flick has the male protagonist, Sona ( Aditya ), a  hitman , who works in tandem with Tukaram Shetty (Achyuth Kumar), a planner of contract killings. Having taken scores of lives, Sona has oodles of blood on his hands. But, he wants to relinquish crime; return to a humdrum routine and...

It has been said that pain follows a deep, compassionate heart. True that. But, pain, and its twin, suffering also follow harsh, hateful hearts of others. At times, that chase leads to retribution. “ ಆಟಗಾರ ” (‘ Āṭagāra ’, translation:  Player ) is a 2015 Kannada   suspense thriller that explores the theme of retributive, vigilante justice. Inspired by Agatha Christie’s novel, “And Then There Were None”, the movie was embroiled in a controversy upon its release. It was alleged to be a remake of a Tamil film; this allegation was clarified to be untrue though.   Ten people from diverse fields are invited to partake in a TV reality show on a small, forsaken island. The contestants― they include a drug peddler, a doctor, a movie star, a fashion photographer, a pedagogue, a supermodel, and so on― are required to survive the ordeal in complete isolation from the mainland. The exciting adventure begins with great chemistry and camaraderie among all competitors. On top, Ja...

Someone once said, rhetorically perhaps, “ Entertainment is the devil’s substitute for joy. ” But why complain if good ole’ entertainment serves as a surrogate for happiness that everyone cherishes in life? “ ಜಾಕೀ ” (‘ Jackie ’) is a 2010 Kannada action thriller, which delivers a supersized serving of ‘joy’ with a unique brand of quick-paced narration. The film, a box-office bonanza, won a bunch of awards too. The story revolves around the male protagonist, Janakirama alias  Jackie  (Puneeth Rajkumar), a poor widow’s son. The goofy, happy-go-lucky fella’s pipe dream is to make it big in realty. A high school dropout, the talkative do-gooder is never short of repartee though . He unwittingly helps the local priest’s daughter, Yashoda (Harshika Poonacha), elope with her lover, Parangi Seena (Vikas), who is actually part of a human trafficking network. Blamed for Yashoda’s disappearance, Jackie sets out to trace her…and, that triggers a gambol ride. His sear...

Eiji Yoshikawa, the renowned Japanese writer said: “ The line between life and death is not thicker than an eyelid.” Deep, insightful words for sure. " ಗೀತಾ " ( 'Geetha' )   is a 1981 Kannada   romantic   drama, which portrays the vicissitudes of life and the incertitude of death with stirring sensitivity.   The plot features Geetha (Akshatha Rao alias Padmavathi Rao), a college student's romantic pursuit of a suave and smart singer, Sanjay (Shankar Nag). Sanjay spurns her advances aloofly, arrogantly. A past tragedy is the hidden secret that has made him reserved. But then, who can escape Cupid's exertions? Sanjay too later succumbs to infectiously vivacious Geetha's lures and love blossoms...only to hit roadblocks. Geetha's personal health, on one side; family opposition to the relationship, on the other, impede the romantic liaison leading to matrimonial alliance. Diagnosed with leukemia, Geetha's condition worsens. But then, Interferon...

“ All the world is a stage and most of us are desperately unrehearsed!” Those are the Irish dramatist, Sean O'Casey's words, nay, pearls of wisdom. There is no other film that drives home this point as touchingly as " ರಂಗನಾಯಕಿ " (' Ranganayaki ' , which translates to: ' Stage Heroine '), a 1981 hugely-popular, critically-acclaimed Kannada film. Based on a reputed novelist, Ashwattha's work of the same name, this flick is a cultural and historical milestone in Kannada cinema for the bold and mature handling of 'Oedipus Complex' as a theme. It is perhaps the chef-d’œuvre of Kanagal's rich legacy in film-making. The movie's female protagonist, Ranganayaki (Aarathi) is the star attraction of a touring theatre group run by her foster-father, Appaji (Kunigal Ramanath); and, step-brother, Ramanna (Ambarish). A versatile actor, she pulls the crowds and is the cynosure of attention in the plays of the troupe. A rich man, Nagaraja (Ashok...

Frederick Douglass, the great American social reformer and abolitionist, observed insighfully:  “...where any one class is made to feel that society is an organised conspiracy...neither persons nor property will be safe.” " ಸಾವಿತ್ರಿ " (' Savithri ') is a 1980 Kannada film that won widespread critical applause. Devoid of typical trappings of cinema, the social drama is based on Ranganath Shyamrao (Ram. Sha.) Lokapura's novel of the same name, which rivetingly explores caste politics and power dynamics in a village. The film portrays how innocent na ï vet é is always an easy prey to wily slickness. When the rich and mighty manipulate, are not the poor and guileless mere pawns? The narrative embraces the mundane rivalry of two mighty landlords and transforms it into the sublime on the silver screen . The story is about a young school teacher, Malleshi (HG Somashekara Rao), who gets unwittingly embroiled in the murky rivalry between two village elders, Sharanap...

" A day without laughter is a day wasted ,"   said Charlie Chaplin, the English actor-comedian. " ಎಮ್ಮೆ ತಮ್ಮಣ್ಣ " (' Emme Thammanna ', which translates to: “Buffalo Thamanna”) is a 1966 Kannada romantic comedy, one that will split your sides. Based on a story by AK Velan, the blockbuster was remade in Telugu (as Govula Gopanna ), in Hindi (as Jigri Dost ) and Tamil (as Maattukara Velan ). The film stars the yesteryear matinee idol, Dr. Rajkumar. Cast in a dual role– as Thammanna, a cowherd; and, Murali, an advocate– there is double romance in the air. Both characters get into love affairs– one with Meena (Bharati), the daughter of a senior counsel, and the other with Radha (GV Lathadevi), the daughter of a municipal president. That sets the stage for laugh riot. Some thrill, action and suspense add spice to this movie made for mirth and merriment. The direction of doyen BR Panthulu, one of our greatest auteurs, is superb , as always. TG Lingappa's...

  “ With guns you can kill  terrorists , with education you can kill t errorism , ” is a quote that sounds profound. But, reality reveals education often makes terrorism more sophisticated; and, terrorists more hardened. " ಅತಿಥಿ " (' Atithi ' or 'Guest') is a 2002 Kannada movie, which won the prestigious Certificate of Merit at the National Awards. It garnered critical acclaim and amassed laurels galore. The film l ooks to portray the psyche of the terrorist and reflects upon the rationale for terrorism. The plot consists of a group of terrorists on the run after a successful attack. While plotting their next bombing, one of the terrorists (Prakash Rai) is injured in an accidental bomb blast. So, he is taken to the house of the local doctor (HG Dattatreya) for treatment. Held hostage, the doctor is forced to treat the terrorist under duress. Do the outlaws carry out the next attack? Or, is their plan stymied? The film is soft, even casual in depictin...

Edmund Burke, the Irish statesman and philosopher declared: “Superstition is the religion of feeble minds.” Often though, the superstition of “feeble minds” keeps the “frail lives” in the community going! " ಕನಸೆಂಬೋ ಕುದುರೆಯನೇರಿ " (' Kanasembo Kudureyaneri ', which means: ' Riding a Horse Named Dream') is a 2010 Kannada film, which grabbed a plethora of awards. Based on a story in ' Savari ', an anthology written by Amaresh Nugadoni, the film depicts brilliantly how the superstition of some is yoked with sustenance of others in society. Siddhas are nomadic tribals whose visit is considered auspicious. The superstition-laced belief is that souls of those who die when a Siddha arrives at the village reach heaven. Irya (Vaijanath Biradar), a grave-digger, believes that the appearance of a Siddha in his dream presages death in the village. Irya's faith backfires though when his prognostication about the impending death of an ailing man is refuted......

“ Suspense is like a woman. The more left to the imagination, the more the excitement .” Not my words; but, that of the English director, Alfred Hitchcock– the master of mystery movies. " ಕವಲುದಾರಿ " (' Kavaludaari ', which translates to: 'Crossroads') is a 2019  Kannada neo noir   thriller, which lives up to the hype and hubris technically. The murder mystery is being remade in Tamil (as Kabadadaari ), Telugu (as Kapatadhaari ), Malayalam and Hindi. The flick starts with the portrayal of a murder with sporadic, checkered visuals. A time jump moves the viewer in the present to KS Shyam (Rishi), a zealous traffic cop, who fervently aspires to be a detective in the crime department. The discovery of human bones at a construction site sets Shyam on a criminal investigation without official sanction. During the underwraps probe, Shyam crosses paths with Muthanna (Anant Nag), a retired, alcoholic police inspector. The trail though trends into a tangled mes...