Movie Review: 'Telikeda Bolli' Takes Viewers Through Laughter Ride
Daijiworld Media Network - Entertainment
Mangalore, Dec 8: There has been a deluge of Tulu films in the last two years ever since blockbuster Tulu comedy flik “Oriyardori Asal” became an instant hit and broke all previous records in Tulu cinema. But none of the films released after that has been able to generate as much curiosity as Devadas Kapikad’s “Telikeda Bolli” did. True to the hype and expectations the movie opened to packed houses in seven theatres across Dakshina Kannada. It is just a matter of time to know whether it will be able to sustain the initial momentum and interest it has garnered.
The star cast includes popular Tulu theatre artistes of Dakshina Kannada – Devadas Kapikad, Naveen D Padil, Aravind Bolar, Bhojaraj Vamanjoor and Devadas Kapikad’s son Arjun Kapikad makes his silver screen debut as the hero. Ashritha Shetty is the heroine of the film. Well Known music director of sandalwood Guru Kiran is the music director. The film directed by P H Vishwanath eminent director of sandalwood who has proved his credence with some sensible films like Panchamaveda, Aragini, Olave and had a latest childrens film “Kinnara Bale”.
Considering Kapikad’s stature in Tulu theatre and the fact that the winning combination of Kapikad-Padil-Bolar had once again collaborated after a long gap, the expectations were high. Add to that, it was a big budget film for a Tulu movie with big names involved and the film promised to take cine-goers to a laughter ride. Living up to the expectations the movie fulfils the promise and delivers, once again proving that given a decent cinema there is no dearth of film-viewers, thus assuring decent returns for their efforts. First, Vijay Kumar Kodialbail proved it and now Devadas Kapikad has reaffirmed it.
The film has a wafer-thin triangular love story has revolves around the granddaughter of a farmer (Ashritha Shetty) working for a rich landlord who has two sons and they both aspire for the same girl. One of the sons is a widower Kutty Anna (Gopinath Bhat) and the other is the hero of the movie foreigh-returned Munna (Arjun Kapikad) and they both fall for the demure and innocent farmergirl who works as a domestic help at the landlords house. The naïve girl has feelings only for the younger son as she had shared some of the happy moments of her childhood together and is oblivious of Kutty’s feelings for her.
This story interwoven with comedy having background of a neighborhood compound comprising a tailor house-cum-shop (Aravind Bolar) with Naveen D Padil as his son and a school teacher (Bhojraj Vamanjoor) and his daughter (Vaishali Shetty). The comedy is blended with the intent of delivering the social message on the ill-effects of alcoholism. Kariya (Devdas Kapikad) essays the role as Kutty’s aid. In between the hero gets into a fight with a few hoodlums who torment the naïve girl and her grandfather and rescues her. The rival team vows to get rid of the hero and Arjun handles them single-handedly. The hero of the film Arjun Kapikad makes his entry just before the interval.
The storyline moves interestingly in the first half sustaining the interest of the viewers, with oodles of comedy. But the second half moves in a tardigrade pace with a predictable storyline where comedy takes a backseat and suspense is missing to keep the audience glued.
The movie shot in and around Dakshina Kannada showcases the rich culture of this area and its beautiful landscape. There is ample dosage of Tulu culture, customs, tradition and beliefs.
The combination of Padil-Bolar works wonders for the movie but the much-awaited ‘merger’ of Kapikad-Padil is little disappointing at least in the movie as they share only a few worth-mentioning scenes together. Padil has once again proved his mettle essaying the role of mentally-challenged school boy with perfect body language to go with the role and some punching dialogues. He is really a treat to watch. Aravind Bolar has been given another tailor-made role to showcase his talent for comedy and he does full justice.
Television artiste Gopinath Bhat delivers a stellar performance as Kutty Anna and so does Bhojaraj Vamanjoor. Vaishali Shetty’s role looks too comical and silly and she has nothing much to do. Devadas Kapikad has proved his mettle but looks like he wanted to give more mileage to his son Arjun.
Arjun Kapikad gives a decent performance though his role cannot be treated as that of a full-fledged hero. He dances and fights with effervescent energy. Music by Guru Kiran is quite hummable. Arshitha Shetty does well as a naïve girl but has a long way to go. Laxman Kumar Mallur and Sarojini Shetty, SaiKrishna, D S Boloor, Thimmppa Kulal etc., have doled out a decent performance.
While comparisons are unjustified, there is no denying the fact that audience of Tulu films these days have come to judge any Tulu movie on the lines of Oriyardori Asal (overheard in the theatre) considering its stupendous success. The same happens with Telikeda Bolly and in that measure it is a slight let down. But it is unfair (to Vijaya Kumar Kodialbail and other movie producers) to judge every movie in the same yardstick. Devadas Kapikad must be commended for his efforts for giving another milestone movie for Tulu Cinema lovers.