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2022 has been a year of revival for theaters & cinema worldwide and an industry that has flown under the radar in India from the times of Girish Karnad has been at the forefront of it. Through KGF 2 & Kantara, Kannada Cinema has garnered Pan-Indian attention, being highly successful in all dubbed languages.
To supplement the awestruck mood, here is Ellipsis brings you a curated Starter Pack to venture into Kannada Cinema. Catering to different tastes, multiple genres have been included which are also socially & culturally relevant to present times. In cognition with the changing trends of south indian movies from the template addicted hangover, Kannada Cinema (colloquially referred to as Sandalwood) too has ventured into fresh terrains exploring different parts of the vast state while discussing people from different backgrounds and age groups. Here’s a list of some of the best we found out from recent times encouraging you to traverse the unique landscape of Kannada Cinema.
Lucia/ 2013/ Psychological Thriller, Drama
One of the best movies to come out from the nation in the past decade, Lucia derived from the phenomenon it deals with, 'lucid dreaming' entangles you within the real & virtual effortlessly. A wannabe actor and an established actor intercrossing their lives which appear equally quirky leaving the viewer in a fix on understanding which is real. The situational interplay with respect to female perceptions, living condition differences and finding a certain beauty & warmth in daily struggles also add charm to the engaging storyline.
Within the indie film budget constraints, Pawan Kumar manages to acclimatize characters across terrains connecting deeply with their internal personalities. Buoyed by dynamic performances, there’s much more than what meets the eye and it’s sure to offer something new on a rewatching spree too. This multiple award winner with resounding international recognition has also been remade into Tamil yet the original holds its own in delivering unmatched genuinity.
Ulidavaru Kandanthe/ 2014/ Neo-noir, Crime, Drama
Contemporary Kannada Cinema would not be complete without the Shetty triumvirate & they deserve a list of their own. From Kirikk Party through to Kantara, they’ve been at the forefront of this new wind in reviving Kannada movies. Set in a small fishing town surrounding a Janmashtami incident, Ulidavaru Kandanthe is filled with cultural symbolism like the Pili-Vesha & cinematic references from Scarface to Rashomon. Hyperlinking a common line through 5 different perspectives and covered in a group of gangsters, it resonates some beautiful relationships as well, be it between friends, enemies or between a mother and her long lost son.
Rakshit Shetty is at the forefront both on and off screen, while Rishab Shetty plays a crucial role and even the presence of a journalist as the connecting link is justified towards the end which makes it a well rounded effort at depicting neo noir in a very rooted story. Another multiple award winner, it was also remade in Tamil and currently a follow-up of sorts (partly prequel and part sequel) is under development focussed on Rakshit’s iconic character Richard Antony.
Gantumoote/ 2019/ Drama, Romance
A coming of age drama, Gantumoote dives deep into the lead character taking us through an emotional ride of a reserved yet in her own way expressive teenage girl. Unlike other Indian movies that have dealt with school teens, here we get to see the complexities of the young mind and how experiences from that age shapes the behavior of the future person.
Social stigma surrounding what girls are ‘supposed’ to follow is interwoven through elements like cigarettes, movie theaters. The egoistic eagerness to dominate in a relationship combined with the mental fragilities of a teenager forms the not so happy-go-lucky storyline. A female presence at the helm helps to really delve into the intricacies of the lead character and the air of normalcy associated with tasks that otherwise would have been depicted heroic keeps the movie grounded and realistic. While being emotionally vulnerable it's also unapologetically riveting and comforting to watch.
Thithi/ 2015/ Drama, Comedy
Traversing a rooted rural terrain, Thithi explores a different side of Karnataka surrounding the demise of 'Century' Gowda and how his lineage reacts to it. Laced with organic situational humor, the movie explores contrasting interests of the 3 descendants while subtly presenting their internal struggles too. Youthful zest, veteran energy and the overindulgence of the external society are all on display in this fun drama.
It’s not just about the 3 generations but their needs and way of life being different also supplements the contrasts. Utilizing a set of non professional actors, Raam Reddy does a brilliant job in bringing out what he needs out of them. The societal point of view and a volatile side cast emphasizes the genuinity in the storyline. Another multiple award winner with global recognition, it has garnered appreciation from many leading filmmakers too.
Kavaludaari/ 2019/ Thriller, Crime, Mystery
The mundane life of a cop suddenly gaining interest with a new case is not new in Indian Cinema but Kavaludaari holds a lot of cards up close keeping you hooked to the last moment. The tiring life of traffic cops and the need for something to push you forward along with characters marred by midlife crisis connects the viewer emotionally. Multiple characters from very different backgrounds are placed accurately to keep things interesting and hooked till the end.
Unapologetically commercialized, it does have usual template elements but all of it fits the storyline without hindering the flow. Multiple crossroads ties you in a fix but the shocking end punch doesn't leave anything hanging. Rated as one of the best endings for a thriller movie in recent times, it’s bound to be a sureshot favorite for viewers used to template movies. Cinematic vigor and towering performances from Anant Nag & Achyuth Kumar are bonus add ons to enhance the experience. Kavaludaari makes the list for its hooking screenplay, powerpact performances and as a choice for viewers who wish to watch something along the status quo of Indian movies.
Special Mentions: Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vaahana (2021), Ondu Motteya Kathe (2017), Kirik Party (2016)
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