Calendar

By Susmita Sameera



Calendar begins with a familiar premise: a heartbroken man numbing himself with alcohol, living inside a bar owned by his friend and constantly dwelling on his failed relationship. At first, the film appears to be another routine story about heartbreak and self-destruction. However, the narrative takes a turn with the arrival of Malavika (Nivishka Patil).



The audience is introduced to Dr. Akash (Adarsh Gunduraj), a general physician who has withdrawn from both his profession and personal life after separating from his fiancée Nakshatra (Sushmitha Nayak). Akash has stopped going to the hospital where he works and spends his days in the bar run by his friend Surya (Gurunandan).



The film gains momentum when Malavika’s husband grows suspicious about her meetings with Akash at the bar. Following an argument, he is found dead, making both Akash and Malavika the prime suspects in the case. The investigation is led by Yuraj Ontimani (Ramesh Indira), while a lawyer (Suchendra Prasad), becomes involved in the case.



As the investigation progresses, the film explores the backstory of Akash’s relationship with Nakshatra, detailing how they fell in love and how her sudden emotional changes eventually led to their separation. Parallel to this is the story of Ramya, Akash’s childhood friend, who is married to politician Rakesh (Pramod Shetty). Shortly after meeting Akash on her wedding anniversary, Ramya dies by suicide, adding another layer of mystery and emotional conflict to the story.



While the film attempts to combine elements of romance, crime, and emotional drama, much of it feels disjointed. The narrative often moves abruptly between characters and situations, making it difficult to remain emotionally invested. Several character arcs appear underdeveloped, and the screenplay lacks a smooth flow, resulting in a confusing viewing experience for much of the runtime.



The film’s central intention becomes clear only in the climax, when it reveals that it is trying to address the subject of PMS, mood swings, and the emotional struggles women experience during menstruation. The effort to create awareness about the mental and emotional aspects of periods, beyond just the physical pain, is relevant and important.



However, the film also connects PMS with serious issues such as anger leading to separation, depression leading to suicide, and anxiety leading to accidental death. These are complex mental health concerns, and reducing them primarily to PMS makes the message feel exaggerated and less convincing. A more grounded approach with simpler situations may have conveyed the intended awareness more effectively. Instead, the film presents women’s mental health during PMS in an extreme cinematic manner before concluding with a generic awareness message.