Sourav Jatua

Nasir (2019), the sophomore offering of Arun Karthick shows the power of the image- ironically through the medium of the film. Resonant, so meticulously thought out, Nasir's eye travels through the daily, the drudging existence of the protagonist and his meager existence, yet never for a moment lapsing into self doubt nor pathos. Karthick's vision is immaculate, precisely carving out Nasir's world in the city and Soumyananda Sahi's camera champions, laying upon moments - almost stealing them to present a lyricality in representing. We are let into this world, catching upon Nasir in his movements, his thoughts and dreamy eyes. It is a story of hope, of dreams and Nasir (played so effortlessly by Koumarane Valavane) is an embodiment of that. His dreams, the hopes of a better future, coupled with his love for his wife is what drives him and shelters him from a reality that is changing and becoming wrong. Precisely that is why, even in the penultimate moments of the film, upon hearing the news of the riot, Nasir does not panic and only the subject of the letter to his wife takes up his mind as he returns. At one point in the film, the poet Nasir is seen to ask - "what is the cosmos in my eye?" Reality, not cosmos hits him back. Goutam Nair's sound direction and sync works wonders alongside and creates a soundscape that becomes so important in understanding Nasir. The aspect ratio - probably a much-talked aspect, is remarkable and Karthick deserves all the rightful accolades for his thoughts in framing. At the end, Nasir becomes an ode to reality, as it becomes a journey of poetic brilliance along the way.