About the movie
"Cyanide" is an outstanding effort by Chennai film institute alumni A.M.R.Ramesh
who has shown his level of excellence in just his second film. His first film "Santhosha",
a breezy love story with new comers did not set the Box office by fire, but it was hailed
as a sincere effort by a new comer.
Ramesh has this time ventured into making a thriller based on a real life occurrence.
For "Cyanide" he has taken the incidents that occurred in the peripheries of Bangalore
after the assassins of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi stepped into the city.
The whole narration is gripping and a seat edging story telling is sustained throughout the film.
The director has chosen to select each of the characters very carefully by making some
comparisons to the original characters. The star cast is very perfect and the characters are
easily identifiable even by their appearances. For example Marati Actor Ravi Kale, multilingual
actress Malavika, National award winning actress Tara and talented actor Rangayana Raghu look
every inch like the real life persons one eyed Jack Shivarasan, Shubha, Mrudula and Ranganath.
The Police team led by Avinash has also acted and looks perfectly as police officers on a serious mission.
It is normally felt that making films on real life incidents may prove to be very difficult
as the chances of taking cinematic freedom is restricted. And to narrate such happenings in a
two hour time frame without a weak moment is in itself a great challenge. Director Ramesh
accepts the challenge to deliver a perfect ten film. "Cyanide" is indeed one of the best
Kannada films to have been released recently.
"Cyanide" is fantastically packaged with the finest technical values and some great
acting performances. Though the film has no songs, the 115 minute film keeps you engaged
through out and you may have to hold your breath continuously.
Ramesh has not compromised in the making of the film and despite not having a big star cast;
he has taken care to select the finest technicians down south. All the big names Cameraman
Rathnavelu, Music Director Sandeep Chowta and Editor Anthony have supported the director to the hilt.
Cameraman Rathnavelu who has worked in several top commercial films comes to Kannada films
for the first time to take the cake for his stupendous work behind the camera. It is Mumbai
based Kannadiga Sandeep Chowta who stands out with his background score which matches the mood
of the film. Anthony makes a sharp work and his editing work is most appealing. Ramesh's
dialogues are crisp and effective.
"Cyanide" is backed by some fantastic performances by Ravi Kale, Malavika, Avinash, Tara,
Nasser and other artists. Ravi Kale's appearance on screen is enough to frighten you.
Avinash delivers a dignified performance as Senior Police officer Kempaiah who tracked
the militant tigers through his painstaking investigations. But it is Tara yet again who
scores in the role of much tormented Mrudula. Rangayana Raghu looks every inch like
Ranganath and he has excelled in his work. All the other artists have done their roles
with dedication and competence.
Totally "Cyanide" comes out as a fresh wave of fragrance which is extremely likeable.
It is a must see film for not only Kannada film enthusiasts, but all the film buffs who
look for some quality effort.
About the Movie Girish Kasaravalli is a well-known name in the national and international film circuit.
His films have always stood out for realistic presentations. In the South there are only
two film directors-Adoor Gopala Krishnan and Girish Kasaravalli- who would make films in
their own way without compromising on committed values. Their films have always been
appreciated by a cross section of the film audience for their authentic presentations and
high voltage performances from lead artists. Girish Kasaravalli's latest film 'Haseena'
is one of his best films that deals with the trials and turmoil of a bold Muslim woman who
fights for her rights.
'Haseena' is an issue based classy film, which is based on a story written by well-known
Kannada writer Bhanu Mustaq. Bhanu Mustaq hails from the coastal Karnatak region of Karnataka
and has been steadfastly raising issues concerning the plight of Muslim woman who are exploited
and tortured. It is certainly a high quality presentation.
The film has a strong emotional content with a pace narration which will be liked even by
audience who are seeing films regularly in commercial circuit. The master crafts man that he is,
Girish Kasarvalli has made some alterations for his script and has come out with a strong
statement through this film. The technical wok of the film is top class.
'Haseena' presents the touching story of a Muslim woman deserted by her husband. The
film has deservedly won National awards for four people associated with the film including
for its leading actress Tara who won the Best Actress National award for the first time.
It has also won two additional awards in the category of Best Film under family welfare
and Costume designing.
Haseena is a poor woman who works day and night to earn some money to look after her three
daughters. Her husband has deserted her because she has not given birth to a mail child and
is already on a look out for a marriage with another woman. Haseena has three daughters including
a visually impaired teenager. Haseena wants her husband to return to her and complains about
it to the local masjid authorities. In another development she also learns that her daughter's
blindness could be cured. She starts to save money and also fight for justice. But in the quest
of justice, she will be continued to be tortured by her husband. Haseena is prepared for
a combat to get justice. But unfortunately she is rebutted and neglected by the masjid mutavalli.
She becomes a pawn in the masjid politics.
Girish portrays the tragic tale of Haseena in a touching manner. A good crew backs him up
with Ramachandra coming out best in the camera department. The art department and costume
designing of the film has already obtained the recognition in the form of a National award.
The song less film has a good background score by Thomas Issac.
Tara comes out with a sterling performance in the film and it is no wonder that the
National Jury found her fully deserved candidate for the Best Actress award. She proves
that she is one of the best actors in the country. Chandrahas Ullal who had worked in
small roles in a few art films and who has worked for a theatre group has come out with
a potent performance as a tormenting husband of Haseena. Well-known theatre artists
Purushoththam and R.Nagesh have also done their roles perfectly. Ruthu and Chitra
Shenoy have played their roles adequately.
'Haseena' is a film that could be enjoyed by audience who look for creative
output in films. The audience who are passionate about quality films should also
see this film for Girish Kasaravalli's directorial talents and absorbing performance by Tara.
Director: Priyabharati
Executive Producer: Janardhana Ramachandra
Cinematographer: Satya Hegde
Dialogues: Ramaiah K. and Manju Sarakki
Music Director: Rajesh Ramnath
Art Director: Ramesh Desai & Shilpa Yejaman
Assistant Directors: Srinath T. Venugopal
Ravindranath
Devaraj D.
Story
For several days, the Indian police have been hunting for Shreya Prakash,
a young woman who is suspected to have been kidnapped. Her wealthy NRI mother Vijaya
flies in from America to try and find her. But it turns out Shreya's "disappearance"
was pre-planned! Quite by accident, she ventures near the house of Deepak Narayan,
a recent college graduate. His family invites her in to Deepavali pooja and dinner.
One thing leads to another, and soon Shreya's family is shocked to see a marriage
procession on television wherein Shreya is the bride and Deepak is her groom! Vijaya
immediately sends the police after Deepak on charges of kidnapping and unlawfully
marrying a minor. Deepak and Shreya find themselves fugitives of the law. Finally,
when Deepak demands an explanation from Shreya, she reveals the purpose of her
secret adventure. Shreya is on a mission to join two hearts from an era gone by,
in order to lay to rest the soul of her dearly departed father. Shreya enlists
the help of Deepak in her quest and the two set out trekking through the villages
of India in search of her long lost loved one.
But one night, after coming upon an old shrine, their journey takes a sudden
twist, when the two realize their efforts so far have been in vain. Now, Shreya
is faced with the new, more complex task of winning the heart of a loved one
whom she has never known. But she must do so before the police find her. Faced
with the constraints of time on one side and a broken heart on the other, Shreya
struggles to triumph over the situation in which she finds herself.
This film is about the challenge that we all face, to transcend the boundaries
of time and build bridges over the ruins of past injustice.
KANOORU HEGGADITI: MAGIC OF MALNAD AN ACCOMPLISHED PORTRAYAL OF FEUDAL SOCIETY
Karnataka has a record seven Jnanpith winners. And now an epic novel by the first winner, the late
Kuppalli Venkatayya Puttappa (Kuvempu), has been brilliantly recreated on the big screen by
Girish Karnad, who wrote, directed and stars in it.Kuvempu's 1936 novel Kanooru Heggaditi
(Mistress of the Kanooru House), set in Malnad in Shimoga
district of central Karnataka during the pre-Independence period, is now a Kannada
feature film of the same name.
"This has been the best thing that has happened to me as a playwright," said Karnad, 61, after
an exclusive screening (the film releases on November 19). "It was a challenge recreating
Kuvempu's world." A challenge that has been well met by Karnad and his cast of talented actors.
Shot on location in Malnad at the foothills of the Western Ghats, the film depicts the feudal
society of Kuvempu's novel with great authenticity.
The film revolves around the struggle for dominance in the House of Kanooru. The baton passes,
with much drama, from Chandrayya Gowda (Girish Karnad) -- the new village chief -- to his wife, a
young girl called Subbamma, and then to his nephew Hoovayya. How Hoovayya, whose lover Seethe is
married off to his brother by a scheming Brahmin, manages to bring fulfilment to the title of
the film is the climax of Kanooru Heggaditi.
A lot is packed into the movie, the price of compressing a 600-page novel into a 150-minute film.
But it doesn't lose out on the ambience of the 1930s. The socio-cultural landscape of Kuvempu's
Malnad along with its lush green jungle, heavy rain and old houses are portrayed with a surety
and a realism that comes from Karnad's years of theatrical and cinematic experience.
Karnad, who wrote the screenplay and played the lead role of Chandrayya, has put together a rare
mix of talent, mostly raw, from stage and cinema. "Established actors would have required some
de-schooling so I opted for amateur actors," says Karnad. Noted Kannada actress Tara excels as
the female lead, Subamma. B.V. Karanth has composed a wonderful, lilting score to go with lyrics
that had been penned by Kuvempu himself.
Kanooru Heggaditi is a refreshing film, but it may be Girish Karnad's last as director for a
while. "This one really tired me," he says. But it looks like it was worth the while.
Movie shows List
Note: All movie listed above are only tentative list.
The movie shows and titles are subjected to change at any time
** Images are taken from Google and VikranataKarnataka.com
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