LETTING GO THE EGO IN YOU

The great theoretical physicist, Albert Einstein observed insightfully, ‘only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.’ Indeed when the ego comes into play, human associations begin to strain; more so in marital relationships.

“ನಾ ಮೆಚ್ಚಿದ ಹುಡುಗ” (“Naa Mecchida Huduga”, which translates loosely to “(The) Boy I Adored”) is a 1972 Kannada film that was a great commercial success. Based on PS Vaidyanathan’s story titled “Divorce in Indian Style”, the romantic drama was remade in Tamil as “Kattila Thottila”.

Bhaskar Rao (Ashwath) is an advocate married happily to Dr. Leelavathi (Leelavathi). The duo has a daughter, Pramila a.k.a. Pammi (Kalpana), who is in a romantic relationship with Gopinath (Srinath). Unaware of their daughter’s love, the two parents agitate over the choice of a suitable bridegroom for Pramila.

Unable to settle their dispute amicably, they even reach the brink of divorce. That is when a close friend, N Ganesh Raya (R Nagendra Rao) intervenes with an ingenious plot, no doubt, with the help of Pramila, Gopinath and others, to avert a crisis that’s put the integrity of the household in jeopardy.

Directed and scripted by RN Jayagopal, a veritable doyen of show-biz in Karnataka, the flick is joy to behold. This vintage movie offers a fun roller-coaster ride. Jayagopal uses dialogue to showcase familial friction. Yet, a little more nuance in the screenplay would have been welcome.

Vijaya Bhaskar’s intoxicating music, set to lyrical compositions of RN Jayagopal, was greatly appreciated; the tracks are evergreen chartbusters. The camera work is typically yesteryear in its look and feel. Editing is lacking in its sharpness; making for a narrative that drags a little.

Srinath is SUPER in the ensemble cast. Kalpana, as is her wont, is somewhat theatrical. The stellar supporting cast comprises of Ramesh, KS Ashwath, Leelavathi, Vadiraj, Shivaram, MN Lakshmi Devi and R Nagendra Rao. They have all put in creditable performances; the last one though is the pick the lot.

I rate this domestic, romantic drama: 8.0 on 10!

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