Over the years, the Kannada audience has seen films featuring many persons with special needs. Most of them sent across the message that the visually challenged are better than those with vision in terms of seeing and enjoying the “real” world. Raaga by P.C. Shekar, known for his technically superior film-making and unique subjects, is another touching visual narrative of a blind couple’s love in its pristine form. It is a sincere effort at a retro-romance.
However, though film moves like poetry through arresting visuals, soothing music and occasional comic scenes till the interval, it starts crumbling in the second half because of clichéd treatment. It is difficult to digest why films about disabilities, especially those dealing with visual impairment, tend to end as tragedy. Shekar intentionally brings class status to create a rift in the relation between the lead characters, but fails to make a realistic portrayal of both the high and middle class.
When Shekar claimed during the making of Raaga that he took 14 years in scripting the film and kept Tamil actor Vikram in mind, filmgoers expected much from Raaga . But the film has nothing new to offer, except the brilliant performance of Mitra and Bhama.
Mitra and Bhama occupy most part of screen time and both deliver their best. Mitra entertains with dialogues which strike the right chord besides offering a philosophical touch. In parts, he reminds the audience of Chaplin in City Lights . Bhama’s performance is better as a visually challenged than as a “normal” person. Both try their best to communicate through music and emotions. Ramesh Bhat as Appaji is appealing with his matured performance. Songs, including Aalisu Baa by Jayanth Kaikini and Manasina, offer lyrical quality to the narration. S. Vaidi steals the show with his colourful images.
For the convenience, the film is set in the ‘80s when mobile phones were not available in Bengaluru, and the art director succeeds in providing a near-authentic vintage touch. Attempts to capture every minute detail about the life of a visually challenged person — from reading Braille to body language and expressing emotions — have been done well by the director and the art director.
