A debutant director with a vision, who knows exactly how he wants to execute his ideas on to screen, and his enthusiastic crew and cast, with no big names to boast of, have set out to give a film that is novel and exciting in its style and presentation. Infusing a surrealistic feel throughout, whether its in the look and attitude of the characters and their costumes, the tone and feel of the visuals, the sets and ambience, the sound track, or the stunts and the weapons used, it’s a totally different experience.
The film opens in a deserted sandy field strewn with buffalo heads and horns, suggesting a place which has witnessed gory killings earlier. Thug Drona (Sampath) threateningly holds a weapon to the neck of a young girl (Smita, adequate in her debut), and taunts Karna the protagonist to retrieve her from him. It’s a flash to the past and to the happenings that had led to the present stand-off. There is Drona kidnapping the girl with the intention of marrying her, on the advice of his astrologer (Tinnu); of her taking refuge with Karna, a man with a social conscience, but an eccentric and a loner; Drona’s search for her and taking her back; Karna’s hot pursuit and the showdown between the two men. The movie has a non-linear plot. There are other players too who fit in suitably, like the corrupt cops on Drona’s side, and the groups for and against Karna. The suspense element has been well maintained. There is no forced humour or romance. The screenplay has been meticulously etched and the director has been able to maintain a uniformity and consistency throughout. The slow motion shots though at times do affect its pace. A little more work on the story -line would have worked to the film’s advantage. Satyan who plays Karna’s man Friday, makes us both laugh and earns our sympathy.
From a baddie to doing strong supporting roles, to playing the lead here, Kishore has evolved as an actor to watch out for. It’s a power packed performance from him, as he assays with perfect understanding Karna and his eccentricities, and portrays a man who has trained and learnt to overcome his disability, and face the world with guts and confidence. Debutant writer-director Bandi Saroj Kumar should be commended for his bold experiment in adopting a style that is novel and exciting, and refreshing for an audience satiated with routine formula treatment.