gaaaaaalipata

I had been to Galipata yesterday. It was kind of a reunion of me and my two friends (in full galipata style). As almost every time I watch any movie, this time too the critic in me came out alive strong and kicking (quite literally) and I thought why not kick start my second blog with my review of the movie? And since I do plan to be a serious film critic one day I thought this would be a good platform to express my views. (so there ll be more such reviews in the future too every time I watch a movie). Anyway right now…over to galipata…

First thing I did not understand is why the movie is called galipata at the first place. Well you may say because they fly kites in the movie but I thought they only flew kites BECAUSE the movie was called galipata. Had it been called doni then they would be making paper boats. Though I think it should ve been called Ganesh because it seriously has an overdose of him. (I mean I like him but I cannot have too much of him.) And to think it’s a multi starrer! The predilection starts from the credits itself – “GOLDEN STAR Ganesh starring”… I still don’t fathom why each actor in Kannada industry is given such corny titles – Rebel Star, Sahasa Simha, Hattrick hero etc etc. Seriously its beyond me. The cameras too seem to have fallen love with him since he is given the maximum screen time, maximum. Again something I don’t understand especially when you have such cute looking Diganth beside! Second thing I really didn’t see was a concept in the movie. What was the director trying to say? Anything at all?

Another thing I don’t understand regarding Kannada movies is the way they flow with the wind. You have one Mungaru Male meeting success, and then you have 20 movies made on the same lines. Seriously a lack of creativity. This movie too is no different (other than the fact that it had the same team). It has Ganesh (well!), shot in beautiful locales (the thing I m least complaining about), has one song by Sonu which at first sounds just like Anisutide. And Ganesh looks like he has come from Mungaru and walked straight into this movie (without a shave and a hair cut that too). I m sure it’s pretty much obvious now that everything about the movie is Ganesh-centric.

Ok, this movie has 3 friends (Dil Chahta Hai with a difference – the difference being the screen time) Ganesh, Diganht and Kitti (Rajesh Krishna). I think the director’s brief to Diganth was just to flash his dimples at the word go and he does it with great panache. (Only wish the camera would focus a little more on him). Kitti is supposed to be a very reserved guy (depressingly reserved) because his girlfriend of 8 years dumped him and he hasn’t come out of it. So in effect both these guys don’t get to speak much which of course it utilized to the core to promote Ganesh’s histrionics.

Over to the actresses (if you really care to call them as actresses that is). Daisy is the only one who looks graceful and matches the scenic beauty. She s a widow so obviously she too cant be speaking much right? Though I wonder why her husband (who apparently dies trying to save a child) was doing by the river side barely two hours after his marriage to her. The only reason I see is he wanted to commit suicide! Then there is Neetu. The director’s brief to her according to me was to “ack-thoo” at anything and everything possible. Now to think a guy actually falls for this man-in-the-making! And that to Diganth! There is not a single scene to project their love blossoming. We are just made to assume that. Screen time you see.

Then, there s the third actress whose name is God-knows-what or rather who-cares-what. So, the director’s brief to her is to act like a 16 year old (cos she is supp to be in her PUC. The first thought that ran across me when I saw her was that if she was in her PU then I must be a toddler! OR, she has flunked way too many times.), which I think she interpreted as 6, and being the fine actor that she is she has performed just like a 6 year old – but mentally retarded. And our bhola bhala Kitti falls for her! AND they get engaged too!

Oh, there is a pig too, the only thing that gets good screen space prolly because it doesn’t have to speak or dance or act. So the director feels the presence of this will in no way harm Ganesh and his star power and hence you can see it every now and then.

Since there HAS to be a true filmy shytle love affair of Ganesh and Daisy’s, with good share of twists and turns, they wind up the other two love stories with each pair given 2 scenes together and a song each. Now its time for our hero who obviously wont win the heroine so easily. There s never too less masala for us which we cannot tolerate. So he proposes, she disposes, he whines, he cries, he swears death and finally gives up all his hopes. Then there is the master stroke – the climax. Ok, agreed its well shot, but how many times is what I ask? How many times should the heroine fall into the river which has dangerous, life taking falls and rocks everywhere and the hero save her? Have we not had enough of it?

Ok, I have so far sounded very critical of the movie but I must admit despite all this the movie is still worth a watch. Yes, it does disappoint, because we go to the theartre expecting the movie to be different, to reach new levels, beyond Mungaru and other movies in the same league, but it is still entertaining. Ganesh hams, but there are certain things he is best at, and he shows it. The highlight is obviously the scenic beauty. Amazingly captured. The songs too, may not be the best, but are good (though the choreography lets you down). The best part of the movie is the comedy. Esp scenes where Ganesh treats Diganth as their younger sister and treat him like a baby (abba, anthu inthu nam tangi madve settle aaythu and things like that). And comedy being his forte, Ganesh scores in it.

I say its worth a watch also because I have seen a whole lot of hindi movies paying more than double what I paid for this movie and coming out of the theatre-look-alike-concentration-camp thanking god for still keeping me alive despite having surrendered my life carelessly at the hands of the actors who heat it, beat it, churn it, tear it and finally throw it back at my face while I look hopelessly at it.