HOPE & LOVE IN THE EBB AND FLOW OF LIFE

Samuel Johnson, the English writer extraordinaire wrote, “A man used to vicissitudes is not easily dejected.” The underlying tenet of the pithy saying is that you need to take in your stride whatever life throws at you.

“ದಿಯಾ” (‘Dia’) is a 2020 Kannada film, which received scads of critical applause. The romantic drama was a commercial success too. The film takes a peep into the frailty and fragility of the human mind; it also explores the role hope plays in life.  

The female protagonist, Dia Swaroop (Khushi Ravi), an introverted biotechnology student, has a secret crush on her senior, Rohit (Dheekshith Shetty). Dia though fails to express her feelings and Rohit moves on in life. The two meet again; and, romance fills the air. The blossoming love leads to a happily married life ever after, right?

Wrong! A road accident turns Dia’s life upside down. Severely depressed, she decides to commit suicide. That is when Adi (Pruthvi Ambaar), oozing charm and cheer, enters as her knight in shining armour; he fills the emotional vacuum in her.

Soon Dia’s life begins to look up again; the casual friendship with Adi evolves into a special relationship. Despair makes room for an affair…and, wedding bells and a Cinderella-like happy ending follows, right?

Wrong again!

Writer and director KS Ashoka has done well to infuse realism into a plot that is high on fantasy, not to mention the large dose of showbiz schmaltz and sentimentality in the screenplay. The story, told from the female lead’s perspective, is a topsy-turvy ride. However, Ashoka moves the narration subtly and skillfully towards the climax, which is as abrupt as it is unexpected.

The flick’s artistic and technical elements are in balance. B Ajaneesh Loknath’s music score, which has only one promotional song, is first class; so too the camerawork.

On the acting front, Pruthvi steals the show. Khushi is alright in her rendition; but, Dheekshith is a tad too deadpan in his performance. The supporting cast has done a commendable job.

Someone rightly said that there is no suspense in inevitability. Drama though lies in unpredictability! So, the flick scores because of its unusual, unpredictable story.

I rate this romantic drama: 7.0 on 10!