Sunayana Suresh, TNN, Dec 6, 2019, 04.58 PM ISTCritic's Rating: 3.5There's a certain reverence among Kannada film buffs when it comes to Puttanna Kanagal. The auteur made films that are relevant even today and each of his works, most of which were based on literary pieces, captured human emotions like none other. Hence, when Rishab Shetty announced an anthology as a tribute to the late legend with a title of one of Puttanna's celebrated works, there was curiosity and expectations.
What is interesting about this set of seven films is that it brings forth simple human emotions, where only the styles of narration vary. The seven stories deal with different sets of people, but the emotions conveyed in all of them are universal. While some give you a warm fuzzy feeling, the others leave you questioning and there's also one that addresses angst.
The film opens with Rainbowland, which is a sweet tale that shows us how happiness is just around the corner. The emotions are beautifully translated through colours that are used as a medium. The second story is the trippy Sathya Katha Prasanga. It shows an interesting take on mundane, routine life. In keeping with the trippy theme, Girgitle, the third story deals with a wastrel and a day in his life in an equally adept manner that leaves you wowed.
Utthara, the fourth story, has angst and relevant questions. While the unique storytelling style is noteworthy, the placement right after the interval, where the arc has reached a crescendo, is questionable. Paduvarahalli, the fifth story, set in the pre-independence era in Paduvarahalli, amid rioters and British officials, is a beautifully written piece on the dichotomy of the mind.
The sixth tale, Sagara Sangama, is edgy and gripping, in which a single woman traveller has to face her ugly fears, quite literally. The film ends on an endearing note with the seventh tale Lachavva, arguably the stand out in the anthology. This story gets you rooting for the protagonist Lachavva, a Hubballi woman who has to deal with unfamiliar Bengaluru.
The casting is top notch for all films. Each of the characters leave an impression that lasts. Katha Sangama is a tale that delights cinema lovers, as it presents a beautiful bouquet of short films. Here's hoping for a sequel that promotes more upcoming talent.