Film: "Thithi" Directed by Raam Reddy Starring: Singrigowda, Channegowda and Thammegoda Rating: Four 1/2 stars |
After his 2011 Telugu short film Ika, Raam Reddy continues to reveal more of his creative side. With Thithi, the placid director has awed the world with his passionate sense of filmmaking, which has an immaculate eye to see the creative possibilities in the grassroots. The film is indeed poignant, and affirms that Raam’s philosophy of weaving a story by understanding life backwards can result in a standing ovation if balanced by a forward-looking approach.
Made with an uncompromising honesty and ample reflections of reality of village lifestyle, this 123 minute film revolves around 11 days after Century Gowda, the 101-year-old patriarch of a family, expires. As the four generation-family prepares for the rituals in the house, it explores the altruistic and vicious attitudes of the family members. Thammanna (Thammegowda), the grandson of Century Gowda wants to sell the inherited property of his grandfather after declaring his living father
Gadappa (Channegowda) as dead. Will Thammanna succeed in getting the property takes us to the climax.
In parallel, Raam Reddy has stitched a breezy love story with Thammanna’s son Abhi (Abhishek), head over heels with Cauvery (Pooja), who belongs to a shepherd tribe family. These two characters bring out the mind-set of the youth, which blends very well with the story.
Thithi is definitely one of the finest films to come out of India in recent times and all credit goes to Raam Reddy and writer Ere Gowda. The latter has also worked as second unit editor, casting director, and art director for Thithi. Their intelligence and passion for characters is reflected by the people in the film. It is refreshing to watch fresh characters, right from Singrigowda, Channegowda, Thammegowda, Abhishek, Pooja, and the nomads who have all done a fantastic job; each coming out as natural actors.
The beautiful cinematography by Doron Tempert and creative sound designing by Nithin Lucus adds to the overall mood to the film.
Winner of many international festival honours can such films shape Kannada cinema and lift it to loftier heights.