After a long time, certainly not since Oggarane, have I come across a Kannada film that conveys what it has to say subtly without any over the top shenanigans. To be fair, I haven't watched too many films recently to compare this with other similarly paced ones, but I am sure these are few and far in between, given Kannada films' penchant for the bombastic and sometimes crude wordplay. I must admit, I was sceptical going into this one for these very reasons, but I am happy to report that Sakutumba Sametha is not guilty of any of these irritants.
The Sakutumba team has managed to show that convoluted storylines, toxic masculinity, raunchy item songs, heavy/crude dialogues, crazed facial expressions, enhanced dramatics, positive endings and similar cinematic tropes are not required to create good content. If anything, Sakutumba subverts these tropes to include nuanced expressions, subtle humour, day to day conversational dialogues, natural acting, and an open ending, to stitch together a compelling and engaging lighthearted comedy drama that Kannada cinema was so badly in need of.
Sakutumba has the basic premise of marriage at its core, around which situations and relationships are created/explored. Is it only the bride's family that is desperate to find a match? Does a man have it easy in terms of finding a match and dictating terms to the bride's family? Is it always a man's prerogative to accept or reject a marriage proposal? Should there be a definite reason to cancel a wedding? What if the groom's side is more accommodating and flexible than the bride's? Sakutumba tackles these issues bravely to present a realistic modern day picture of marriage and fractious family relationships minus the patriarchal claptrap that marital issues are usually ensconced in.
My only grouses are minor: there are occasional gaps in between dialogues which make them appear stilted, family members start bickering with each other in front of the other family whereas they are likely to be guarded in such situations, and if it had had a more definite ending it would have rounded things off neatly. But like I said, I am nitpicking; overall this is a rare exercise in subtlety that is suitable for viewing by all, or make that sakutumba sametha!
As a content creator myself, I understand the makers' motivation to create content with passion and quality as driving forces, rather than mass appeal and commercial considerations. For this reason alone, well done to the entire team, especially the writing/directing team, and Paramvah Studios for backing such a project.
None could read the last message on WA sent by shradha. If one can repeat it. It would help
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