"Kerebete," a Kannada film set against the backdrop of Malnad’s culture and traditional fishing practices, falls flat on every front. The story starts sluggishly, failing to hook the audience with its convoluted narrative. The protagonist, Naga (Gowrishankar), initially seems intriguing but quickly becomes unconvincing as his actions—dabbling in timber smuggling and kidnapping—turn the plot into a bizarre, illogical mess.
The screenplay is a disaster, meandering aimlessly and losing the viewer’s interest early on. The central love story between Naga and Meena (Bindu Shivaram) feels forced and lacks emotional depth, making it hard to care about their romance. While the film tries to touch on caste discrimination and social issues, it does so superficially, leaving no impact.
The cinematography captures Malnad’s scenic beauty, but it’s not enough to salvage the weak storyline. The songs and background score are forgettable, adding to the film’s dullness. The second half picks up slightly, but by then, most viewers will have checked out. Overall, "Kerebete" is a disappointing watch with neither a compelling story nor memorable characters. Skip this one and opt for a better South Indian film instead.
Rating: 1.5/