'Ball Pen' (Kannada)
Director: Shashikanth
Cast: Master Skanda, Master Samarth, Master Shalamraj, Srinagar Kitty
This thoughtful children's film is such a welcome rarity in Kannada films.
'Ball Pen', perhaps, director Shashikanth's achievement, is one of the occasional segmented movies that never loses steam with good narration. It is like a wake up call to the administration as the movie highlights some serious issues.
It is the performances that reflects the talent of children through 'Ball Pen'.
The film plots on the adventure of students, inmates of Mother Teresa orphanage, who are curious to know what is happening around them and love to read news.
Keshava, one of the children, becomes a newspaper delivery boy without his guardian's knowledge. While delivering newspapers at government sectors, Keshava happens to read a letter lying on the office floor.
The letter rouses his curiosity and he soon escapes from the orphan house with two of his friends to save a child and the family residing in a rural area from distress.
How children take risks to avert a major accident and how even today people are still becoming victims of superstitious beliefs is showcased well in 'Ball Pen'.
This film is beautifully photographed and sensitively narrated by the director.
The performances by Master Skanda, Master Samartha, Shalamraj are crafted with perfection too.
The cinematography is wonderful and the director manages to capture the beauty of the village and the city.
Although 'Ball Pen' could not include all the details, the script potently stays closer to the facts of its subject. To a certain extent, the film portrays enough, the negligence by today's elders.
A maiden venture by Srinagar Kitty and his wife Bhavana is happy to have discovered the exciting possibilities of the story penned by Manjunath.
The director who took the task of shooting in a 5D MK II camera has done a fine job with a cast that is as versatile with children who have immense passion in their work.
With lyrics written by Raghav Dwarki and Shashikanth, the remarkable songs composed by Manikanth Kadri have managed to garner enough attention too.
The film goes a little slow in the first half but quickly takes off after the interval. Overall the film is a visual treat with good composition and camera movement.
The Verdict: 'Ball Pen' is a film that should reach all age groups as it gives an insight into rural life.