Mysskin and Ram are two directors who have cemented a critical place in the industry for themselves. It excites one to even hear about them coming together for a film. But what happens if both of them are actors in a dark comedy written by Mysskin? Read ahead to find out how debutant GR Adithya has translated Mysskin's story, screenplay, and dialogues on to the big screen in Savarakathi.
Let's not waste time, but jump right into what the dynamic duo has presented. Ram plays Pichai, a pathalogically lying, vexed barber, who is married to Subadhra (Shamna Kasim), a hearing-impaired pregnant woman. On the contrary, Mysskin aces the role of Mangaa, an eternally angry convict who is out on parole. On the final day of his parole, Mangaa meets Pichai, and there begins the cat and mouse chase! Mangaa finds a reason to hunt him down and cut off his hand. Whether and how he does that, or not is what forms the crux of this raw dark comedy.
Delivering fine performances, both Ram and Mysskin bring their excellent acting skills to the fore. Shamna gets a solid role and does her part well. The film is high on commotion and chaos, and a comic element is infused into almost every serious scene. The rest of the cast support the two leads perfectly, though, one might feel that the characterization is a little exaggerated. Prepare your tummies for some humorous sequences, and watch out for the dustbin scene!
Apart from comedy, the film also deals with certain emotions, ironies, and actualities of life. There are a few emotional sequences in the film, which may allow you to sympathize with the characters, but one may not find it as effective as intended. The film takes a pitiful turn towards the climax, and the purpose of the lead characters may be debated. Art film lovers may enjoy this film, but if you're looking for a commercial extravaganza, you may start to feel out of place at times. With or without reasoning, all the characters in the film are portrayed as loud personalities.
Sneaking into the technical aspects, cinematographer Karthik Venkatraman must be lauded for his exceptional efforts in creating some fantastic frames. The sepia tone sets the mood of the film and S.Julian uses the scissors wisely. All of music director Arrol Corelli's collaborations with Mysskin have been admirable, and Savarakathi is no less. The engagement factor may take a hit at certain points in the story, but overall, GR Adithya does justice to Mysskin's writing.
The makers must be commended for a screenplay with no songs until the climax. On the whole, this Savarakathi may not be thoroughly sharp, but it definitely has its high points.