This is officially the first Kannada movie that I have truly enjoyed! Uff, I have so much to say!
First of all, it completely demolishes gender stereotypes. The male protagonist talks about his feelings, admits his fears, and handles rejection like an adult. His character shows growth and maturity through the story. He is the opposite of toxic masculinity. I mean he paints his girlfriend's nails and cooks dinner and makes tea. Hawwww! (The bare minimum, yes, but still, rarely seen on screen)
The women in the film are smart, decisive, and independent. They choose themselves and their own priorities over societal expectations. They exist as their own characters and not just to further the plot or act like manic pixie dream girls.
The story shows the beauty and importance of friendships and "failed" relationships. It shows how we are all just the sum of our experiences and the people that we cross paths with, how you don't need happy endings for a relationship to be impactful or meaningful.
It is somehow a love story in which love is not the only goal. It's a coming of age story that doesn't rely on a woman putting aside her dreams to cure toxic masculinity. It's a movie about friends without being a just a reunion road trip.
Not to mention that the movie is visually gorgeous, the styling and costumes are so good, just overall a far cry from the usual Sandalwood blockbuster and a sensitive, heartwarming film that stands apart from the new age Sandalwood horror/thrillers. It's also a great example of how you don't need violence or sex to tell a good story.
@vinaybharadwaj1, hats off! I hope you make lots more movies and I hope we can work together some day!
