ENSLAVED TO THE PURSUIT OF QUICK MONEY

Some thinkers have said that ‘fortune sides with the one who dares’; others have said ‘fortune favors the prepared mind’. None though has talked about how to make a quick fortune.

“ಪುಷ್ಪಕ ವಿಮಾನ” (‘Pushpaka Vimana’, which literally means: ‘Flower Aircraft’) is a 1987 Indian film, which was simultaneously released in several languages― Hindi (‘Pushpak’); Tamil (‘Pesum Padam’); Telugu (‘Pushpaka Vimanamu’); and, Malayalam (‘Pushpak Vimanam’).

 

The critically lauded flick became a ‘sleeper hit’ commercially. The dialogue-free film, a dark comedy, received scores of awards in the Kannada language category, including the National Film Award for providing wholesome entertainment

The plot revolves around a penniless, unemployed graduate (Kamal Hassan), who kidnaps a wealthy alcoholic (Samir Khakhar); keeps the abducted alcoholic in captivity; and, takes over his identity. The rich man’s wife (Ramya) has an extramarital affair; her paramour (Pratap Potan) hires a killer (Tinu Anand) to kill the rich man.

The killer mistakes the impersonating graduate to be the rich man. Meanwhile the graduate gets romantically involved with the daughter (Amala) of a magician (KS Ramesh); but, she soon unearths the skeletons in the closet of the graduate.

A gambol ride of rollicking fun follows…and, ends in a climax of irony!

Director Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, also the writer in a bold experiment, has put forth a kickass movie. His screenplay effectively uses not only surprise and suspense, but also eloquent silence in the sequences. Rao’s eschew of verbose sentences and verbal diarrhea has lent richness to the flow; on top, each character is given freedom to develop well. Yet, the narration drags just that wee bit.

L Vaidyanathan’s background score is a worthy match for the many moods and moments in the movie. BC Gowrishankar cinematography has a classy tone, tenor and texture. There is sensuality in the simplicity of his camerawork. Editing of D Vasu too is nice too.

Director Rao has shattered the cult of personality in the movie’s casting. The storytelling is vivid and the characters well-defined; thus, the stripping of ‘celeb centricity’ has reduced the onerous burden of casting. The ensemble cast― it comprises of Kamal Haasan, Samir Khakhar, Pratap Potan, Tinu Anand, Ramya, Amala, KS Ramesh, Farida Jalal, Lokanath and PL Narayana― has put up remarkable renditions.

The film is a stark reminder of Ben Franklin’s golden words that the way to wealth depends only on ‘industry and frugality.’  Sure enough, money may not be everything; yet, everything needs money. And, when it comes to wealth: EASY COME, EASY GO!

I rate this awesome dark comedy: 8.0 on 10!

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