Simplistic, realistic and true to life

S Shyam Prasad | NT

Bengaluru: His family name is Doddahatti (big house), but he lives in a ramshackle, ready-to-collapse, hole of a dwelling. All his energies and efforts are poured into building a new house on a government scheme through the village panchayat, which, not surprisingly, is a den of thieves.

Boregowda continues his uphill task, which becomes more daunting with each passing day. The movie chronicles this slice-of-life story. It is simplistic but realistic and a true-tolife depiction of Boregowda’s impossible dream. ‘Mane katti nodu’ a popular proverb in Kannada defines building a house as one of the most difficult tasks in one’s life.

In Boregowda’s case, it is far worse, made intolerable by scheming government officers, a wayward son, official apathy and poverty and being naïve. Director KM Raghu, who has also written the script, has recreated a real village world. The film looks like a candid camera in the middle of a real story.

Thithi was the benchmark for such movies. Doddahatti Boregowda is a worthy addition to that genre. The nuances of village life are captured in minute detail. This gives the film authenticity and an endearing quality. The dialogues stay true to nativity and the actors are quite at ease with them. There isn’t any cringe pronunciation that we sometimes encounter in commercial films.

Though the focus is on the protagonist’s quest, every minor character has his characterization fleshed out in detail. The actors have not been taught mannerisms. But since none of them are mainstream film actors, it will all look novel to the audience. Without the need for melodrama or even overbearing background music, the film manages to portray all the subtle emotions and upheavals the characters go through.

The ambience sounds manage to convey emotions in many places. The Manteswamy recitals in a few places or a radio blaring a film song in the background create magic in others. The biggest success of the director is keeping the acting out and making every actor look and perform like themselves.

Shivanna Beeruhundi, a villager trained in acting just for this film is a real find. Geetha Rangavalli and Kalarati Mahadev are two other actors who steal the show with their performances. Doddahatti Boregowda is a good film and the good intentions behind it are worth a visit to theatres

Film: Doddahatti Boregowda

Director: KM Raghu

Cast: Shivanna Beeruhundi, Geeta Rangavalli, Kalarati Mahadev, Abhijval Gowda, Lavanya Natana

Duration: 123 minutes

Certificate: U/A

Ratings: ***