Of late, it has become a trend to make films based on real life incidents, especially crime stories, considering the fact that people who read them in print and watch progress of those cases are curious to know how a film maker treats the subject.
After Ring Road Suma by Priya Belliyappa, which was loosely based on the murder of software engineer B.V. Girish, allegedly by his fiancee Shubha in 2003, Dinesh Baboo, known for his skill in using the camera to offer gripping narration, opted for case of Sourabh Rastogi in 2014.
Rashwin Changappa, who was allegedly in love with Sourabh Rastogi’s wife Ankita Rastogi had confessed to murdering Sourabh.
The reason for Dineshi Baboo to opt for Rastogi’s story is; his flavour for narrating stories, which has twists and challenges the maker with its complexities.
However, Priyanka could be viewed as 2015 version of Amrithavarshini , which Baboo made in 1997.
Both Amrithavarshini and Priyanka revolve around three central characters of a husband, wife and friend, who intrudes in to the couple’s life and turn their life into tragic events.
Interestingly, Priyanka, which is about ‘Pati, Patni Auro Woh’ had figured in the Kannada Competition Section of 8th BIFFes concluded here on Friday.
Though there is no strong story line, Priyanka succeeds in making audience glued to their seats, because of its narration.
The focus of the film-maker is how social media influences people. In the film, Priyanka falls prey to Tejas through the Facebook chat.
There is very little difference between the real crime incidents to reel story, with the film-maker closely following the crime incident.
As the case still remained inconclusive, Baboo does not take any stand in the film, but he has a soft corner for Priyanka.
Baboo opts for non-linear narration and story moves back and forth with the interrogation of Priyanka and Tejas by cops Veena Sundar and Prakash Rai. M.N. Kripakar’s background score helps in lifting the emotional quotient of the film.
Though Shivadhwaj, Priyanka Upendra and Tejas shares screen time, it is Prakash Rai, the cop, who penetrates into the mind of the accused with a style all his own. Tejas’s performance is good.
Priyanaka Upendra not only charms the audience with her beauty, but also with her performance.
Direction: Dinesh Baboo
Cast: Priyanka Upendra, Prakash Rai, Tejas, Veena Sundar, Shivadhwaj