Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Aug 26: Raya Durga is a peaceful village in north Karnataka. Severe water crisis in the village sparks disharmony among the villagers. How the villagers find a mesmerizing solution to the water crisis forms the crux of the story of the latest Kannada film ‘March 22’, produced by Harish and Sharmila Sherigar.
Director Kodlu Ramakrishna has presented the story in a very attractive way. The film shot in the backdrop of beautiful monuments is a visual treat. While communal harmony takes the front seat in the first half, the second half raises the intensity of the film to conclude with an excellent message.
The first half of the movie shows the lifestyle of Raya Durga village and the harmony between two communities. The director has highlighted the sharing and caring culture of the two communities. The male lead characters Salman and Rahul clearly have not tried too hard to shape their character - they are simple, but sharp as a razor at the same time.
Veteran actor Ananth Nag’s entry as a geologist gives a twist to the very engaging drama which pauses at an interesting point for the interval.
The second half is dominated by an amazing performance of the Maulvi (Ashish Vidyarthi) and his wife (Vinaya Prasad). In Ashish, the director has found the perfect person to demonstrate the 'religious sentiments without humanity' logic with a focus on the social divide. The sequences are scarily close to reality despite being dramatized. But the character of Vinaya Prasad is entirely different, something we do not come across in the current society. Viewers watching the film will feel that these types of characters are a must in the current set up.
The intense second half with a major twist in the end is a great message to the viewers. A film like ‘March 22’ is the need of the hour and the effort of the director has to be appreciated. Various characters in the film have given good performances.
'March 22' shows various scenarios of what will happen if water becomes increasingly scarce. Producer Harish Sherigar has made the film on a lavish budget and the outcome is really good.
Manikanth Kadri and Ravi Shekhar's music is melodious as well as haunting right till the end, ensuring 'March 22’ a spot among the classic suspense Kannada films of recent times.
Mohan’s camera sweeps through the arid and windy deserts of Rajasthan. Desert-oriented streets, scorching sun, and dusty roads make it a visual treat.
Sharath Lohitashwa, Jai Jagadish, Geetha and Padmaja Rao have given good performances to hold the film together. Megashri, Aryavardhan, Kiran Raj and Sheetal Shetty too have done justice to their roles.
‘March 22’ is a perfect break for film buffs who are tired of watching the regular masala films. The film conveys a perfect message and shows what ‘Real India’ is all about. An ‘India’, where people from different faiths come together showing spirit of humanity, displaying unity in diversity and rich heritage of tolerance.