Ulidavaru Kandanthe

Ulidavaru Kandante (As Seen by the Rest), one of the most anticipated movies in Kannada film industry in the year 2014 for me was a brilliant experience. Having waited for this movie for months, I went to the movie as soon as I could after the release. The movie had already created the hype required. However, it was not up to the expectation or maybe I expected more. The screenplay was adapted from Pulp fiction and moulded to make the general audience understand. The screenplay was indeed brilliant and was supported by brilliant performance by most of the pivotal characters, beautiful music and mind-blowing cinematography. However, the story was a bit weak. The title holds up to what is shown in the movie. The dialogues are brilliant but can be enjoyed only by those who know the coastal language. What bothered me was the attention to detail. Rakshit Shetty has tried not to ignore it but has failed to achieve "perfection". All said and done, I would still recommend the movie to everyone as it is worth watching in the cinemas.

Will Ulidavaru Kandante..As seen by the rest succeed in offering new perspective in cinema ? The answer is probably "Yes".

In the past we did have scripts and films based from coastal-region but this is probably the first one to have captured attention from the rest of the places in the state and obviously the coast. The trailer and music both went viral getting accolades and now it is time for the full feature to be seen by the rest.

I have to admit that Rakshit Shetty's debut directorial venture transported me to Dakshina Kannada landscapes sitting right in center of Bangalore. The atmosphere lasted for over more than two hours. Rakshit has chosen a script which is well woven starting with the right note to capture your attention right from the first frame. Unlike prominent Kannada Cinema "Ulidavaru Kandante" gives more prominence to the characters. This is out and out a character driven script. There is a story to be told and the story is narrated quite interestingly. Multiple view points have been used in films for decades, its success or failure depends on the art and facility with which it can aid the story being told. Rakshit has grandly succeed in his efforts. In the past we have witnessed "Yuva", "Memento," "Hero," "Irreversible", "Amores Perros" that use various perceptions of facts. What these films all have in common is that the visual device used does not get in the way of the story but enhances it. "Ulidavaru Kandante" too falls in this league.

The film as such is presented in a chapter-wise manner where in each chapter allows you to explore each character visually. There is a reason why these characters exist in the space of the film. There are a few which could have been avoided. The actors have done a commendable job in giving life to the characters. Rakshit, Rishab, Kishore, Achyut in pivotal roles deserve appreciation. I know Achyut is not a native of Dakshina Kannada but the way he has presented himself just shows his strength and versatility. I recently watched few of his offbeat films and watching him in this role was a pleasure. Rakshit's "charisma", Rishab's "fear", Kishore's "feeling", Achyuta's feeling, fear and irritation with "Kaaki" will be remembered. The child actors also have pulled in splendid performance. Poojary, Tara, Sangita, Yagna and folks who have played Rakshit's accomplice have provided great support to the main characters. I believe this film will go down as one of the best acted films. The actors are so natural and casual it does not feel like they are really acting out on the screen.

Karm Chawla's cinematography, Ajaneesh's BG score, sync sound succeeds in providing the much necessary atmospheric experience. The coastal landscapes are brilliantly captured and presented. Having know these places personally it gives you a great feeling to watch them on big screen. The color scheming and VFX does need a special mention. Who would not want to try out the "Sin City" like shot? Wow! The BG score is haunting and goes well with the film. A couple of songs "Paper Paper" and "Gati" seems out of place as far as narrative is concerned. Probably this has more to do with commercial aspects. "Kanna Muchhe", "Kaakig Banna" match with the narrative. Especially the way they have brought in "Kaakig Banna" is simply brilliant. Hats off to Achyut making this a memorable song even though it is in the near end of the film. If you pay attention to the sound design and sound capture you might feel a lot of background noise being captured. Especially during the Tiger painting scene. There is a sudden drop in the sound levels at times. We are in an era where in sync sound is picking up gradually. Its at a very few instances where in the sound capture is kind of average but at a overall level it gives you a phenomenal experience in listening to the speech with the inner expressions. In a way "Ulidavaru Kandante" is technically brilliant film-making.

The film though entertaining and satisfactory comes with few negatives. The first being the run-time. The film starts of with a great pace but gets slow from the second chapter on-wards. If it was a bit tight it would have been more perfect than what it is now. Some audience are bound to get tired. Never mind you cant keep everyone happy. The other factor is the penetration of this film beyond Karnataka. This film is high on the tradition, dialect and lifestyle of the coastal region. It would be interesting to see how this could interest people from other states. Lucia had a great success in this aspect. I wonder if "Ulidavaru Kandante" can achieve this. We will have to wait and watch on how this is received and propagated.

Two things. Be calm and patient while watching this. It is not an edge of seat thriller. Give the film some time to get it on to you. Do not expect a "wow" climax. Just watch the perspectives and bring out your own

Hats off to Rakshith Shetty for delivering this product. KFI is changing big time over last two years, thanks to the fresh faces, stories, narration, direction. Ulidavaru Kandante (UK) excels in all the departments, the movie is a experience that one should go through and it makes you think which is very important. As someone said "A movie should not haunt you while watching, it should haunt you post watching" and UK falls in that. Acting wise everyone has done justice to the role, of them I like the acting of Thara and Achyuth Kumar the most. Achyuth Kumar is a very fine actor and now people are realizing his potential. I hope to see more movies with Achyuth Kumar with new comers. Overall, the movie is a great experience and I suggest every one who love "cinema" should watch this.

I've seen people utterly confused and disappointed after the movie (no doubt) with the only tiny consolation in offer being "It was different". I've read reviews in Kannada Newspapers (*Gives Aaron Eckhart's two-face look of Harvey Dent from 'The Dark Knight'*) horrendously regarding the movie as a "waste of time", going to limits so as to say that "the only death that happens in the movie is that of the audience". But I have only one thing to say. Rakshit Shetty – you incredibly talented out of the stars oh-we-needed-this-so-very-badly- marvelous beauty ! I have to admit, at the end of the movie, I sat there on my seat, unwilling to walk out, wanting for more, before the fading lights reluctantly forced me to leave the theatre. Yes Rakshit Shetty, such was the ecstasy of watching MY Udupi come to life, in arguably one of the best movies I have ever watched.

I've never been an avid admirer of Kannada movies, though I always keep an open mind. Since the likes of Lucia, I've always been looking forward to eventful ventures in the industry. And the moment I had seen the trailer, I knew, that "Ulidavaru Kandanthe" was what I was looking for.

I'm not going to give out spoilers, for this is a movie each one ought to savor from his/her own perspectives. I'm going to tell you why "Ulidavaru Kandanthe" is such a masterpiece and why it will go down to be one of my favorite movies of all times (Beating Pulp Fiction).

To begin with, the very first scene. Fishermen Singing their coastal rhymes as they labour on the machinery to fit a huge wooden piece into place, the video being focused on the wood . To me, the most memorable moments in the whole film. For there was a meticulous sync in the video and the audio creating a rhythmic chant, a near-apocalyptic heartbeat, a countdown to the epic journey that was to come. I felt a stroke of genius in that and realised I couldn't just rest back on my seat, for this was to be a movie of detail, and boy was I right! Secondly, Ajaneesh B Lokanath. The last time I kept humming the background score weeks after watching a movie was with "The Good The Bad The Ugly". Not just the songs, the entire movie is as much an enchanting musical experience as it is a magical visual delight.

And then, the performances. Well, Tara, in her tiny role is just brilliant ( sorry, short of words here). Achyuth is absolutely adorable and Richi so elegant and genuine. "Democracy" is cute, entertaining and marvelous at the same time. Everyone does a spectacular job, which is definitely one of the real highs of the movie.

Rakshit Shetty's direction gives Kannada Industry new hope. Clearly, a lot of things have been inspired by Tarantino ( in caps "INSPIRED" not plagiarised), but I can hardly think it could have been bettered. Mixed with some brilliant cinematography, superb camera-work and an indomitable background score, the intricate details and some sheer genius "stuff" like depicting the very same scene from different camera angles, the brilliant scene where tara prepares to cook her sons favourite "Meen Curry" for example, stand out.

And being a resident of this coastal town of Udupi, the very sound of "Malpe" is tantalizing. Having lived here from the day I was born, I couldn't help but admire the artistic mastery with which Rakshit Shetty portrays the cultural heritage of coastal Karnataka, like I said, a visual delight.

But what makes "Ulidavaru Kandanthe" stand out in an industry dominated by item songs and sequences shot in luxurious foreign sites, is the importance the director places in the beauty of simplicity. You don't need a rich and pompous location to shoot a movie, you just need to know that every location is rich and pompous, given you depict it from the right perspectives. The entire movie has a non linear storyline, a confusing and unsure first half, slow mid way, but that allows you to discern the characters better, and I think that's what Rakshit wants you to do, rather than try to solve the mystery, which exists or not, depends on the viewers perspective as well.

All in all, "Ulidavaru Kandanthe" is an affably ineffable tale, a saga, an unforgettable experience, the beginning of a new era, every (Dakshina) Kannadiga's pride. An artistic masterpiece, matched only by its own ingenuity to leave the viewer ascertain his own storyline, his own ending, through his own perspectives. Its a movie you wouldn't want to miss.

Ulidavaru kandante is very good effort from the Kannada film industry. I must say this movie has captured raw emotions very well in several situations. And i hope movies like these are well received by the Audience and eventually making sure that these kind of experiments continue and do well. This movie also brings the other variations of the kannada language in Karnataka which is awesomely portrayed!

The movie gives more importance to art in itself rather than conventional movies(in any regional language in general) which gives importance to commercial elements.

Lastly , I felt the second half could have been bit faster to improve the entertainment quotient. That said, it doesn't mean its boring. Its just that the movie gives more importance to script!

Overall a great movie! Must watch for people who prefer 'class' than 'mass' movies :D