Govind Raj Shenoy

Uunchai: definitely scales the heights on emotional quotient. Suraj R Barjatya strings together some beautifully written scenes with fantastic performers like Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Sarika and Danny Denzongpa. A pretty long movie at 173 minutes running time doesn't bore thanks to some lively comedy strewn in between. The magnificent visuals of Himalayas adds to the aura. Overall, an enriching experience in spite of the movie being typical Barjatya 1990s kind of drama happening in 2020s.

Kanthara (Ondu Dantha Kathe) ಕಾಂತಾರ (ಒಂದು ದಂತ ಕಥೆ) Movies are made with the intention of telling a story that will have a climax. #Kanthara Kannada movie is a "Climax" told with a story attached to it. Short review: The most stunning climax I've watched in any movie. Whole thing about climax: Rishab Shetty hails from my land, the Tulunadu or that blessed land between the Arabian sea and western ghats. Tulunadu is divided between different districts of Karnataka and also involves Kasaragod in Kerala. But it is united by a rich Sanatana culture, Tulu language and beautiful fables apart from stunning landscapes. Kanthara is a fable or Dantha Kathe. It begins with a fable of a King transferring his lands to his people in exchange of peace of mind offered to him by Panjurli, the protector "Daiva" of the lands and forests. Then it tells the story of a closely knit community that worships the land, the forest and Panjurli. Transcending through 19th century to later decades of 20th century, it projects the rich culture involving Kambala (Buffalo race of coastal Karnataka), Kola (The protector Daivas appearing in humans to connect to the devotees) and the intricacies surrounding the lives of believers. While we have countless movies that lampoon and insult our culture, here is a movie that magnificently glorifies the culture of a small strip of land in a corner of India. To clear short of rationalist attacks, the movie has a tagline that says, it's a fable. Apart from that, it's just a heady mix of art, lifestyle, language, generosity of people, their faith, pettiness of people in power and the enlightenment of the order of Daiva to live with the nature, not against the nature. Rishab Shetty writes, directs and acts in Kanthara and he does a mind boggling job in all three roles. The national award jury will be confused which of the three deserves the National award more, the Writer or the Director or the Actor. I don't want to be there in the jury. Easiest way will be to give all three awards to Rishab Shetty. Kanthara is unabashed celebration of a culture, the people and their life. It may sound alien to people who don't know the place and culture, like it happens to the Deputy Forest Range Officer in the first half. But the movie grows on the viewers as it moves towards the most stunning climax that cannot be explained. It can only be experienced. Performances of all the starcast is natural and topnotch. The art department, music, background music and cinematography gel beautifully to create an audiovisual treat. It's an apt lesson to Bollywood about how to make an original movie that can enthral without burning hundreds of Crores. I had rated Rishab Shetty's "Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana" directed by Raj B Shetty as one of the Top 5 gangster movies ever made in India. Kanthara cannot be easily placed in a genre. We can call it a fable retold in a realistic setup. It is nothing short of a classic. A modern day classic of "Divine" proportions. The climax blurs the difference between the Human and Divine. Kanthara is once in a lifetime movie experience and enters into my Top 10 all time great Indian movies. Post script: My review may be biased because of my love for my Tulunadu. I attach that disclaimer before I recommend Kanthara to all cinema lovers. The movie comes with English subtitles. Go celebrate Kanthara 😍😍😍😍😍