Cast: Krishi Thapanda, Matangi Prasan, Hari Sharva, Suraj Gowda, Mahesh Bung, Aravind Iyer, Ramesh Bhat
Director: Arvind Shastry
Even as the mix of regular hero-centric commercial masalas and experimental or offbeat ventures continues to hit the sandalwood screen, this week's 'Kahi' meaning bitter, unravels the dark faces of urban lives in a fair manner for about 90 plus minutes. The struggle for inner desires and hope are the main context which the director dwells upon though four main characters which run parallel to each other until the final moment arrives, all for the bitter experience.
The bitter tastes better with the simplest plot wherein four different personalities - one who is a Montessori teacher, aspiring to become a writer but stuck on thoughts at times, while she is facing other issues over having kids even after three years of marriage. The next is about a classical dancer living independently with a pet (dog) with the hope for a brighter career. She is also a kleptomaniac (inability to refrain from the urge to steal items), and then there's also the educated youth who deals in drugs for his living, and the film is finally about the sociopath as well.
The mixing of these 'bitter' plots is pretty well but also needs a bit of patience to experience the actual core of it, till it starts gaining momentum where they finally fall in one place in the end. In other sense, it is a documentation of certain unexpected events in a period of short time which goes onto change their lives forever, or rather kick starts a new chain of events. The crisp editing and the neat story telling keeps it more engaging.
The portrayal of characters by the artists too remains true with almost everyone who appears on the screen giving a natural feeling with Krishi shedding her glamorous looks for a more meaningful performance, and Mantangi, who is actually a classical dancer, fits the role perfectly and Harish Sharva, with the theatrical background, is the highlight as a drug dealer in love with the dancer. The best of all is Suraj, who was not that impressive in his debut venture, but has done a commendable job playing the sociopath.
Kahi has all the right components which compels for a one time watch because of the honest work by the entire team and further considering that it is a far better one from that of self-aggrandizing hero-centric films with dozens of fights, copied songs for remixed ventures which are only intended to make money! Kahi also comes with an original background score. So it's worth your money for a satisfactory and meaningful time in theatres this weekend.
