Hostel Hudugaru Bekagiddare is a film about filming a 5mins short film over one night, as the amateur hostel boys find themselves in situations they never prepared for. The short film's core plot is about hostel warden's suicide, alleging the hostelites and focuses on them disposing the body to clear their names. What follows is mad cap entertainment which relies too much on the characters being extremely talkative while aided by actually well written characters and acts that are straight up hilarious.
This is what one calls style over substance, infact there is barely any substance and kudos to the newbie team to turn it into their strength. The lack of structured narrative, takes time to register. Infact for me the entire first half barring the initial scenes was bland and mostly saved by 3 characters who play the seniors. The humor there is genuine and the film truly comes alive during the interval reveal. The film's unique style succeeds in keeping one hooked to the proceedings.
It is the second half where it goes berserk. For all those times, the narrative dips, it is made up for with the commitment to stick to dark humor. Sadly, none of the cameos don't work at all. While, Rishab Shetty, Pawan Kumar cameos were painful to watch as it barely contributed anything than create slight confusion. Diganth's cameo was somewhat fine though again wasted. Ramya's footage throughout the second half with Diganth's character explaining why wasn't as hilarious as they intended it to be.
But again, the efforts have to be lauded. There is an abrupt end and a sequel's tease but more importantly there is Appu too. I have to admit, this film is an acquired taste, definitely not something I would immediately revisit. Yet, I wouldn't mind a standalone film featuring the three seniors, which again can make up for a craziest stoner film.
