A total of 12 Kannada films have released today – highest for any week this year. One among them, Taarakaasura, has, however, managed to grab maximum attention and a good number of screens amid all the hoopla. Director Chandrashekar Bandiyappa, who in his debut film Rathaavara had given meaningful insights into the transgender community, this time sheds light on the lives and customs of the Budbudke (a tribe of soothsayers).
Mythology has it that Taarakasura was a powerful asura (demon) who repeatedly defeated the gods until heaven was on the verge of collapse. Shiva’s son Karthikeya killed him ultimately, proving that good will always win against evil. The story line of Taarakaasura draws a parallel to this story, essentially a fight between good and evil.
Carbon (Vybhav) is a happy-go-lucky techie who is in love with his colleague Muthamma aka M (Manvitha Kamath). But his life changes dramatically when he decides to go back to his roots to save his community from evil.
The movie does not have a plot per se, but is a remarkable journey into the lives of the Budbudke community. The annual rituals of the community are recreated and shown with such detail that it actually transports us into their world. The sharp sequences, mostly shot in the dark, highlights the outstanding use of lighting and the brilliance of camerawork.
Vybhav portrays several shades with ease and shines in a few important scenes, which makes it hard to believe that this is his debut film. His mannerisms at some places seem inspired by Arya in Naan Kadavul. His beard, the way he walks, the way he behaves like a lost man in public, some fight sequences are sure to remind us of the hit Tamil film. However, he fails to deliver in the romantic scenes with Manvitha, making us wonder if he is the same actor. Manvitha remains an eye candy, having nothing much to do in the film. Sadhu Kokila is boring, as are his comedy scenes. It looks like as though he was signed up just for the heck of it.
If there is one actor who manages to scare you and impress you at the same time, it has to be Danny Sapani. Except for a few glitches in the lip-sync during a few scenes, which does not seem to be his mistake, Danny is the bad boy Sandalwood needs. The scene where he severs the head of a man with a knife is definitely not for the faint-hearted. His bloodshot eyes are sure to give you chills. Danny’s action sequences are choreographed very strategically keeping the mass audience in mind.
Though the movie picks pace quickly, the second half is tiring, making one wonder about the screen time of the film.
Chandrashekar Bandiyappa’s attempt to bring attention to the community while making a commercial movie is laudable. The movie indeed reflects the amount of time and effort spent on researching about the community. But at some point, the movie starts feeling more like a documentary. It could have been more dramatic if more commercial elements were included.
The songs are just about okay but the background music stands out in the sequences showing the community’s rituals. Kannada Kaliyo, in the voice of Shivarajkumar, is already a hit and as expected the song got all the whistles and applause in the theatre.
Watch this movie only if you want to know in detail about the Budbudke community, which is now on the verge of extinction.