Cast: Nandu, Shashank, Krishna Bhagwan
Director: Mahi V Raghav
Music: Rahul Raj
Genre: Road Movie
Plot: Five pals learn facts of life at their native place
After graduation a group of five — three boys and a girl — embark on a road trip, not on a holiday but with a plan to visit each of their native places. During the five years of their study, they thought know each other well but it’s only during this trip and at their homes, do they discover themselves and open out their minds. Director Mahi in the first half reveals the family background and allows us a sneak peek into the social status and circumstances of each of the character. The vignettes come complete with childhood dreams, crushes, failed love stories and emotional baggage that each of them carries. The film targets an age group that has completed their studies and are on the threshold of taking decisions in life. All of them are in pursuit of freedom, happiness and a voyage to fill a void in their heart. Paathashala is the lessons from life and the journey.
Some stories are best read, but when the characters in the script are transformed to real people onscreen, they fall short of nuance and depth. Also maybe because the actors are new to the screen, they could not stir any moment emotionally when required. The story per se is good, but you end up watching it with a degree of indifference. Some character sketches are really authentic but the director indulges in some absurd episodes like a terminally ill character wanting to sock the face of his school mate who had devoured his lunch during childhood and is now a cop. Also, a small obese village kid wanting to participate in a dance competition fulfils his dream easily. Some things don't happen practically. A couple of characters could have easily been chopped and more time and intensity drawn from the remaining could have given a perfect finish.
It is a sprawling story with many characters, introducing one character after another to fill the screen time; this makes it a tedious watch. Perhaps more romance would have added some spark to the story, this one is hurried and a bit superficial. Just because the story unfolds on the road trip, we cannot call it fresh. What basically is missing is a bond amongst the five in the vehicle. They are all fighting, laughing, there are tears too but the body language doesn't suggest so. It is more like a friendship that develops in a shared auto where people get in, break into small talk and then disperse.
Only Nandu and Krishna Bhagwan show some mettle. Cinematography is beautiful, music good. Dialogues could have been better. The finale has one strong point but by the end it gets too idealistic, preachy and saccharine.
Bottomline: Good story lost by performances