Today, a modestly-budgeted film named “Em Chesthunnav?” has graced the screens, featuring Vijay Rajkumar, Neha Pathan, and Amita Ranganath in pivotal roles, written and directed by Bharat Mitra. Let’s delve into the film’s narrative.
Synopsis:
Sai (Vijay Rajkumar), an aimless wanderer, grapples with the question of what he wants from his career. The neighborhood constantly queries his life choices, symbolized by the recurring question, “Em Chesthunnav?” His love story with Riya Nakshatra (Neha Pathan), the owner of a restaurant, takes a turn when she entrusts him with one of their establishments, leading to their breakup. The story unfolds over the next couple of years as Sai discovers his career path with support from Shresta (Amita Ranganath). The film explores the dynamics of their relationships and the pivotal moments that shape Sai’s life.
Highlights:
Amita Ranganath’s entry in the second half adds depth to the film. Her impactful performance and a well-crafted character contribute to the emotional resonance, particularly in the flashback sequences. Despite being a debutant, Vijay Rajkumar delivers a promising performance, showcasing natural dialogue modulation and commendable comedic timing. Neha Pathan, making her debut, also performs decently in her role.
Drawbacks:
The initial half of the film meanders with random scenes, lacking depth in its writing. While the relatable theme rescues the narrative occasionally, a significant event in the first half disrupts the momentum. The trajectory of Sai’s life after this event feels peculiar, causing issues that persist for a considerable duration, diminishing the impact of the interval block. The second half starts sluggishly, only gaining momentum with the introduction of the second female lead. The film’s beginning and end are weakly linked, missing an opportunity to enhance its value.
Technical Aspects:
Gopi Sundar’s background score and songs contribute positively to the film, complemented by Prem Adivi’s impressive cinematography. However, the editing could have been more refined. Despite being a small-budget film, the production values are commendable.
Writer and director Bharat Mitra’s choice of a compelling concept is marred by a haphazard narrative. A stronger screenplay could have resonated better with the target audience.
Verdict:
“Em Chesthunnav?” touches on a relevant theme, but its narrative fails to do justice to the concept. The stretched first half and initial segments of the second half impede the film’s tempo significantly. The saving grace lies in the flashback portions and the subsequent scenes in the latter part of the film.