PERFECT LOVE OR IMPERFECT MARRIAGE

“A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together; it is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences,” the American author, Dave Meurer musingly wrote. So true that is. Of course, the question arises about whether marriage is more about 'loving the person one marries' or 'marrying the person one loves'.

Surely there are no readymade answers.

"ಬಿಳಿ ಹೆಂಡ್ತಿ" ('Bili Hendthi', which translates literally to: 'White Wife'), is a 1975 Kannada film about an inter-racial couple in an orthodox Indian family. The domestic drama met with success at the box-office; it was critically well-received too.

Gopinath (Anil Kumar), who hails from an orthodox family, returns home after his studies abroad. Sharada (Aarathi), his fiancée is excited about it. But, she soon finds out that her betrothal has fallen apart, since Gopinath has already wedded Elisa (Margaret Thomsen).

Did someone not say: “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned?” So, how does Sharada deal with the crisis? Does Elisa find out about Gopinath, the jilt's past?

And, what about the cultural and customary differences between east and west?

Director Puttanna Kanagal, a visionary who was ahead of his times, has waved his magic wand on reel to create yet another classic, which is based on MN Murthy's story. His story-telling and the nuanced dramatisation are topnotch, as usual.

The performances of both female leads, Aarathi and Margaret Thomsen, are EXCEPTIONAL. The supporting cast– comprising of veterans, Lokanath, Leelavathi, Seetharam and others– has put in commendable renditions. The musical compositions of Vijay Bhaskar, set to the lyrics of legendary Vijaya Narasimha, are MARVELLOUS; so is BN Haridas' cinematography. The editing too is neat and nifty.

I rate the family drama: 8.5 on 10!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COMEDY OF THE SURREAL WITH THE REAL

Image
Salman Rushdie in his book ‘The Satanic Verses’ equated a ghost, perhaps flippantly, to ‘ unfinished business ’. The novelty in the esoteric comparison is surely undeniable.      “ಸು ಫ್ರಮ್ ಸೊ ” ( Su From So ) is a 2025 Kannada comedy film that uses a horror theme to throw light on an evil that plagues every misogynistic, male dominated society.   The movie touches upon the exploitation of women, who have to also endure often the trivialisation and normalisation of such occurrences. Set in the village of Marluru in Coastal Karnataka, the flick features Ravi Anna  (Shaneel Gautham) as a Good Samaritan and the big, alpha male of the local community. Sycophantic sidekicks— Chandra (Prakash Thuminad), Satisha (Deepak Panaje) and others— surround Ravi Anna , the go-to guy for local affairs of the village. Enter Ashoka (JP Thuminad), a young man, who all and sundry believe is possessed by the ghost of a deceased lady called Sulochana from Somes...
Read more

THE POWER OF A POET’S PEN

Image
Bhagat Singh, the Indian martyr, a famous revolutionary and freedom fighter, said eloquently and insightfully: “ Bombs and pistols do not make revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas. ” No doubt, those ideas take birth in the minds of writers and are nurtured with the pen. “ ಮೈಸೂರು ಮಲ್ಲಿಗೆ ” ( ‘Mysooru Mallige’ , which translates to ‘Jasmine of Mysooru’) is a 1992 Kannada film, which won countless state and national awards. Based on reputed poet KS Narasimhaswamy’s soulful, splendid poetry― a first of its kind― the movie was critically acclaimed. Set in Colonial India, the period drama was a runaway success commercially. The female protagonist, Padma (Sudharani) is a coy, carefree girl, who loses her heart to Manjunatha alias Manju (Anand), a school teacher. A fervent patriot, Manju’s pastime is poetry, which is rich in literary elegance and aesthetic appeal. A village accountant and instrument of British India’s feudal system, Padma’...
Read more

CLAUSTROPHOBIC CONFINES OF THE COVID PANDEMIC AND COMEDIC DRAMA

Image
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...
Read more