POWER AND POLITICS MAKE FOR CLOSE BEDFELLOWS

DaShanne Stokes, the American author wrote: “People turned against each other cannot turn against those responsible”. And, in the eternal struggle for political power, morality is the first casualty.

"ಆಸ್ಫೋಟ" ('Aasphota'– it means 'Explosion') is 1988 Kannada film, which has intrigue and imposture for its theme. The political drama is based on the author, Manu's (PN Rangan) novel, 'Ayana'. The flick was a commercial smash; it was critically-lauded and won a multitude of awards too.

The plot has an idealistic lecturer, Ramanath (Sridhar), who believes casteist . The eligible bachelor is attracted to his neighbor, Sheela (Triveni). One of Ramanth's bright students, belonging to a marginalised section of society, gets suspended from college because of a prank. The student seeks the help of the local legislator, Shrinivasaiah (HG Dattatreya), who politicises the matter. As someone put it eloquently, 'power without morality leads to abuse.' Devious Shrinivasaiah too resorts to his Machiavellian machinations to create unrest on campus and in the community.

Director TS Nagabharana has made an exemplary movie on our fragile societal fabric and volatile public order. He has portrayed the vulnerability of our masses to the political puppetteering of those in power and with authority. He has superbly blended in his screenplay the artsy, offbeat theme with a narrative that appeals even to mainstream audiences.

The richness of Nagabharana's craft is apparent from the excellence of the dramatic content. Despite threads of the tale not being tied into neat bows, the political drama is intense. Nonetheless, he has pushed the envelope on his creative license too much in the climax, which is too theatrical. Wish the technical aspects of the movie, including the music of C Ashwath, had been better though!

Sridhar and HG Dattatreya– the latter in his debut film– have put in BRILLIANT performances. Triveni and the others in the supporting cast have also acted well. The standout though is Dattatreya (affectionately called Dattu), who is hair-rising and spine-chilling in his rendition of a corrupt, crooked politican.

I rate this political drama: 7.5 on 10!

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