Film: Actor
Cast: Naveen Krishna, Sihikahi Geetha
Director: Dayal Padmanabhan
Rating:
An experimental film. A shoestring budget. Two actors. One location. Until and unless the script has the strength to soar to epic dimensions, it is often futile to even try an attempt to be branded a creative genius in filmmaking when equipped with little. Dayal Padmanabhan’s Actor struggles just like the only main character. And it is clear that the team too thought that that it was just an experiment. The story revolves around a dejected actor, who faces a series of flops, and, in his depressive world, the only other character changes his mind.
More like a stage play, the 100-minute film tries hard to mix love, sentiment, comedy and family, however, Dayal seems to have tripped. And it is clear that he was in a hurry to complete the film.
Surely, Dayal, on hindsight, would now think that if he had taken time to do some research and get under the skin of an actor’s life before helming the project, the result could have been applaudable. The film just gives a glimpse and does not go deep. The story is not about an actor alone, but every common man who goes through ups and downs, which could have been dealt with in great profoundness. He could have used Naveen Krishna, who takes most of the screen space better. Naveen, who has seen success and failures in the industry, fails to put himself in a dejected actor’s shoes. Sihi Kahi Geetha, in a guest appearance, has justified her role.The camerawork by Suresh Bhairasandra does not match the theme. The story is about dejection but the entire house is brightly lit, a complete circumstantial mismatch. Even in the depressing scenes, the poignancy is missing. The background music by Gautham Srivatsa is too deafening for the subject.
All said, Actor has a message but could have communicated more effectively.