AVID MEMORY OF 'JATTA' KANNADA MOVIE HAUNTS DISCERNING

Ashwini Kumar is  feeling nostalgic.

Critically acclaimed Kannada movie'Jatta' special re-screening for the discerning viewers was arranged on Friday evening (12 October) to commemorate it's 5th Anniversary -
 

Venue : Preview Theatre @ Sri Chamundeshwari Film Studio & Lab Pvt Ltd Complex, Millers Road, Bangalore 560001

Archives down the lane brought back fresh memories of its screening at Sapna Theatre five years ago. My family friend & senior accomplice, Mahadeva Malla's elder son Giriraj BM has by now turned out to be an ace director par excellence, with the other acclaimed movies under his belt namely 'Mythri' and 'Amaravathi' following Jatta.

Few childhood friends also joined me at the screening. A revitting movie Jatta has all the elements of perfection for a highly promising first time Director ! 

Powerfully written screenplay, exceptional natural acting by all artistes, typical coastline language, beautiful backwater locales, protagonist Jatta's lion heartedness alongside predator like spirit to fight against evilminded elements and forest poachers who also try to intimidate the strong beliefs of oppressed community and sham family deity, young Sukruta Wagle's daring acting prowess, beautiful apt voiceover by Giriraj himself dubbing for the main character Jatta's wellwishing mentor forest officer, dialogue deliveries by all the artistes, absorbing background score and last but not the least, the editing leaves the audience spellbound.

In my opinion, this is a landmark movie having many firsts to its credit with an almost flawless product at your disposal that has the intensity to stand on par with the much acclaimed movies in the national lineage namely Ankur, Kalyug, Ardh Satya and the likes.

I fondly recall my association with childhood acquaintance Mahadeva Mallawho rose from humble background to high positions owing to hard work & academic brilliance. In fact, I couldn't say 'no' when he kindly extended invite for a re-screening of 'Jatta', sort of homecoming after 5 years for most of us. Lucky to have met a former banker, another old friend Taranath Shenoy in the middle and Ashok, a rtd bank DGM too.

Giriraj BM and his sibling Devaraj Bee Em have a lot to thank doting sweet mother Bhavani Mahadeva for having painstakingly supported their respective interests to persue in life.

Very precise to the point, deft in narration and meticulous in bringing forth the subject, hemming a slick cinematic experience for a short realtime story to be projected onto the big screen in the form of a powerful movie Jatta, Giriraj BM virtually seals all prenotions of  connoisseurs to virtual rest.

In other words, the movie wins hearts by it's unpretentiousness, leaving the audience in tears by the protagonist, albeit lacking formal education yet principled do-gooder Jatta - prisoner of his own image, would be so sacrificial by default - succumbs to unpredictable insinuations, twists & turns by quirk of fate, yet remains a hero in the hearts of those knowing him !

Though offbeat in nature, there's not a solitary moment of dullness in the whole plot, by itself indicates the onerous preparation that's gone behind. Personally, I reckon Giriraj BM is way ahead of the rest in mindset and more importantly, cut out for many more meaningful movies welding his 'megaphone' in ensuing years that follow.

Kannada cinema has an able movie maker in Giriraj, who possesses an uncanny ability to turn an ordinary plot into a pulsating finesee that holds the inquisite viewers' keenness intact till the end indicative of an important facet & hallmark, sheer brilliance of a thinking mind and not just another filmmaker in the race..!

God bless all your futuristic endeavours in the earnest Giriraj BM..I take a lot of pride in your dedication, talent and hard work that beckon success, a no mean an achievement in this fast paced rat race of a kind !