Life should be full of surprises. If you already know what’s in the kitty, you won’t enjoy it much. This is what Katheyondu Shuruvagide is all about.
Youth-centric films are a rarity in Sandalwood. While Kirik Party touched the right chord when it came out more than a year ago, Katheyondu Shuruvagide is all set to become the new favourite among youngsters this year.
If the trailer gave you the impression that it is a love story involving the lead couple, you are proved so wrong. The movie is more than just a love story. A slow-paced drama, Katheyondu comes with strong narratives and a bundle of emotions. The movie narrates the love story of three couples – Diganth and Pooja Devariya, Ashwin Rao Pallaki and Shreya Anchan, and finally the elderly couple Babu Hirannaiah and Aruna Balraj – leaving it to the audience how they relate to each character. Throughout the film, relationships are seen from different perspectives, through each of their views, making the approach more likeable.
Ad filmmaker turned director Senna Hegde has clearly dissected a variety of love stories and blended them well together, serving a perfect platter for the diverse audience.
Tarun (Diganth) owns a resort that is running under loss. His goal is to rise like a phoenix from the ashes and all he needs is some motivation. One fine day, the resort gets a booking from a solo traveller. Tanya (Pooja Devariya), who is struggling with her own set of problems, is the visitor. Is Tanya the motivation Tarun is looking for? What are the emotional problems Tanya is going through? Why has she come alone to a resort? Will she reciprocate his love or will she add to his problems, is worth a watch on the big screen.
Though the story seems to lag at times, Ashwin and Shreya’s parallel love story and comedy will keep you entertained. Babu and Aruna give some solid relationship advice and tell you why some love stories just don’t end well. Dialogues are realistic and make the story very relatable.
The movie has every actor competing with the other, thus bringing out their best. While this can easily be labelled as one of Diganth’s best performances, Pooja, a one-film-old actor, has performed well, making the chemistry between them charming. The film’s ending is unconventional and Diganth excels in the climax sequence.
Katheyondu Shuruvagide scores high technically. A lengthy shot of Pooja Devariya is worth a mention. The locations are exotic. As the story unfolds over just 4 days, the cinematographer has extracted the best shots from nature – be it by the beach or amid greenery in the resort. A lengthy scene shot inside a car with Diganth driving lost in his thoughts and constantly glancing at his phone wondering who to call next is a perfect example of a real-life sequence. Sachin Warrier’s soulful music sets the right mood for the movie.
An emotional rollercoaster, Katheyondu Shuruvaagide is sure to resonate with youngsters and people going through a mid-life crisis.
Disclaimer: This review was not paid for or commissioned by anyone associated with the film. Neither TNM nor any of its reviewers have any sort of business relationship with the film’s producers or any other members of its cast and crew.