THE SECRET SAUCE OF LASTING RELATIONSHIPS

A successful marriage, it is said, requires falling in love many times, always with the same person. That is possible only if familiarity, which breeds contempt, is kept under shackles. In a nutshell, relationships can only be built on the bedrock of trust, loyalty, honesty and respect.

“ಪರಮೇಶಿ ಪ್ರೇಮ ಪ್ರಸಂಗ” (‘Parameshi Prema Prasanga’, which translates to ‘Parameshi’s Love Affair’) is a 1985 Kannada film that has a plot based on the mistrust-driven souring of strong marital ties. Critics heaped appreciation even as viewers applauded the domestic drama. 

Parameshi (Ramesh Bhat) is in blissful wedlock with Ramamani (Arundhati Nag); the couple has a son that they dote over. Parameshi accepts his co-worker, Simha’s (CR Simha) challenge of taking a lady colleague out for lunch. Ramamani takes exception to this; she feigns having an affair to get even with Parameshi.

Soon the marriage runs into rough weather– Simha too plays his devious part sowing seeds of doubt and mistrust in Parameshi’s mind about Ramamani’s fidelity. Unable to bear the shock, Parameshi takes to alcohol and soon deserts both his wife and son. In due course, the two get entangled in a custody battle in Court.

So then, does the family ever unite? That is the rest of the story.

The plot of the movie, penned by Somu, is remarkable for its pertinence to marriages that end up on the rocks ever so often in this day and age. Ramesh Bhat is deft ‘n dexterous with his direction… quite a revelation. Wish he takes to direction more frequently.

Shankar Nag’s screenplay is simple, but immersive. The narrative in the first half is sure to tickle your funny bone; the second half gets a lot more theatrical. Music of GK Venkatesh, the maestro, is AWESOME. On technical merit, the film is just about okay, or rather, lackluster.

Ramesh Bhat, Arundhati Nag, Ananth Nag, Shankar Nag and CR Simha, all versatile actors, have put up memorable performances. The absolute standout performance is that of Arundhati Nag.

The long and short of the movie: “Trust takes years to build; seconds to break; and, forever to repair.”

I rate this domestic drama, one with a courtroom climax: 7.0 on 10!