"Dayavittu Gamanisi" Kannada film review - Attention please, Rohit Padaki impresses on debut...

Film poster image source & credit: imdb.com

The film is a dark comedy about seeking love and peace, and comprises of four chapters, each telling a story of people seeking something around love. One is of a middle-aged bachelor chanced into a wedding situation, while two are of men scarred by no happily-ever-after love experiences. Another marries his love, but faces marriage woes.

J Anoop Seelin's music is fresh and melodious. The theme music is catchy and numbers like Marethe Hodenu and Sanchaari make for good listening and picturization. The playback singing could have been better, though, but that does not take away any credit from the composition. I particularly remember smiling when he blended rock into the Krishna song. Terrific! The music blends well into the film and adds more flavor, to the otherwise slow pace.

The only drawback about such a movie is that it is not for everyone, as it gets restricted to today's generation. I do not see my parents enjoying it, as it is not a family entertainer. And definitely not for the masses. Which is why I respect such film-makers that bring their stories to life, without caring much for mass commercial entertainers. Yet, something is missing. No Thithi or Rama Rama Re this, as it still appears to lack some potent.

On a positive note, I was very impressed with the director Rohit Padaki's eye for detail. Looks like acting workshops were conducted, as the performances are top-notch, of each of the lead-actors. Even the art direction is splendid, and even more commendable is the screenplay by the director himself.

Personally, it was a joy watching Rajesh Nataranga after Kendasampige, where I really enjoyed his performance, too. He is a natural, and I would like to see more of him. He is in the Achyuth Kumar mould: brilliant!

It was also good to see Sukrutha Wagle, of Jatta and Kiragoorina Gayyaligalu fame.

Vasishta N. Simha features in a role similar to that of Godhi Banna Saadharana Maikattu, and I was reminded of Sudeep in a couple of places, both body-language and voice-wise.

Raghu Mukherjee emotes well, too, and so does Samyukta Hornad. I always find Prakash Belawadi theatrical but am getting used to his style of acting.

But the best performance, along with Rajesh Nataranga, to me, was that of Shatamarshan S Avinash, who plays a young spiritual guru, seeking enlightenment. He does not miss a beat, and is a treat to watch.

I have a habit of sitting right till the very end, and am usually the last one to leave the movie hall. Humorously speaking, the end credits rolled slower than a goods-train, but the background sound of a moving train was very soothing and therapeutic.

My verdict: 3.5 out of 5. Watch this, for the screenplay and a solid direction debut. Plus for some sincere performances.