Kamala Rani (Archana) is a typical call girl from
the 1950′s, who leads a depressed and lonely life. She
often keeps to herself and dreams that her empty life, would be fulfilled by an
honest man who will only love her soul but not her
body.
One fine day, she gets a visitor in the form of
Suryanaraya(Sivaji), who comes to her house after getting stuck in heavy rain.
Kamala starts behaving in a way thinking that, he is one among the many who has
come for her.
Suryanarayana confronts kamala that he is not after
her body, but has come here to meet his childhood friend. Both of them start
speaking about each others lives and soon fall in love.
The next morning, Suri promises Kamala that he would get her out of her
depressed life, and even marry her once he finishes his pending work..
Will the couple settle down happily? Will Kamala’s past haunt her journey ?
To know answers to these questions, you need to watch
this film on the big screen.
The way this film has been set in the 1950′s is quite interesting. Story
idea of the film is simple, and the way film moves ahead with just three
characters is wonderful.Archana’s performance as Kamala is quite good. Though she starts of on a
rustic note, she picks up quite well after the first
half. Human values and tender emotions that are missing in today’s films have
been captured well.
Second half of the film is where the tempo builds up and the story starts to
get interesting. Last twenty minutes and the way pain, agony and disbelief are
showcased is convincing. Chemistry between Sivaji and Archana is also good.
Though Sivaji plays a pivotal role in the film, he tries too hard to make
his character look real. He looks quite rigid, and if he could have been
normal, his role would have been more convincing.
As expected, pace of the film is dead slow. Do not go into this film
expecting any entertainment. This is an hardcore art house film which is made
for its target audience and film festivals.Songs are a biggest drawback to the film. They effect the flow of the film,
and come in as speed breakers. Certain scenes in the first half lack clarity,
and the entire first half just moves at a snail’s pace.Once the second half picks up, the film gets predictable and one can easily
assess what is going to happen next.
Technically, this film is brilliant. Set beautifully in the 50′s, not once
you would get the feel that it is shot in 2014. The camerawork is absolutely
brilliant, and showcase the rural culture and greenery in a very ethnic way.
As mentioned above, songs are disappointing, and even the ones that come
hinder the film’s run time. Director Narsimha Nandi should have made the film
crisp by omitting unnecessary songs in the film.
Screenplay of the film is quite good, but some scenes like the love making
ones could have been ignored. Dialogues are simple and neat. Editing is quite
good, and art direction requires a special mention.
Rather than creating some fake sets and time lines, the makers have gone in
for real locations which makes this film look brilliant.
On the whole, Kamala Tho Naa Prayanam is a brave effort in this
day and age. All those who seek entertainment, can stay away, and for
those who don’t mind the slow pace and are interested in watching meaningful
cinema can give it a shot
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Movie Reviews