Kahi

Kahi is a sophisticated and abstract Kannada movie hailing from the Indian film industry in 2016. This cinematic piece, written and directed by the ingenious filmmaker Aravind Sastry, is an embodiment of gripping storytelling, woven around various shades of life, invoking thought and introspection within its audience.

Harisharva, Matangi Prasanna, Krishi Thapanda, and Suraj Gowda make up the principal cast of Kahi and lend the movie its heart and soul. They play their parts with depth and conviction, bringing a genuine spirit to their characters and their interwoven lives. The actors manage to establish a formidable connection with the audience. There's Harisharva, a free-spirited musician; Matangi Prasanna, characterized by her duality of strength and weakness; Krishi Thapanda, the woman at the crossroads of love and obligation; and lastly, Suraj Gowda whose life revolves around his encounters with various characters. These four lives converge in an intriguing and compelling narrative that has been masterfully orchestrated by Sastry.

The unique narrative style of Kahi builds an air of mystery around the characters, with each of their stories unfolding and converging with the others, culminating in the larger narrative. The name 'Kahi', literally translates to 'Bitter' in English, and very much like the taste, the movie touches upon the bitter aspects of life, exploring themes like ambition, crime, human relationships, and the existential plight that marries these themes together. Movie enthusiasts can expect a fascination with all things paradoxical – love and hate, life and death, beauty and decay – that surfaces repeatedly throughout the film.

The director Aravind Sastry does not shy away from using symbolism in his debut venture. The film explores several existential themes and deals with abstract ideas, expressed through the lives and interactions of the four protagonists, against the backdrop of the bustling, yet sometimes isolated, modern Indian metropolis. Sastry has used the visual medium to its maximum advantage in Kahi not only by choice of shot-setting or camera angle but also by choosing colours and noises that reveal as much as the dialogues, making it truly an aesthetic treat.

The cinematography by Balaji Manohar is no ordinary feat. It fleshes out the idyllic aura of the urban Indian landscape, mimicking the ebb and flow of the city's energy, through its busy streets, silent corners, and contrasting lights. The visuals of Kahi unveil a tale on their own creating a strikingly realistic and yet poetic atmosphere, adjusting seamlessly to the ever-moving dynamics of the narrative.

Music and background score by Reet Ganjewala stands out. Not only does it enhance the narrative, but it also brings out an array of emotions ranging from dread and unease to contemplation and introspection. With occasional elements of jazz, classical, and silent pockets of soundtracks, it brilliantly adds an auditory layer to the whole cinematic experience.

One can't discuss Kahi without mentioning the art of editing employed. The seamless transitions, the pace, timing, and the ingenious use of cuts and silences by Srikanth and Prakash Karinja, makes the movie a wonderful and thrilling ride, as the stories unfold.

To conclude, Kahi is a character-driven movie that exhibits a slice of life set in a bustling urban Indian setting. A daring and adventurous debut by Aravind Sastry, it serves as a testament to creative storytelling in the contemporary cinematic world. It offers a heavy dose of existential themes and abstract ideas served subtly through the bitter-sweet experiences of its characters, all set within the aesthetic, visual, and auditory landscape conjured by a commendable team of technical artists.

Kahi might not cater to everyone's taste. It is not a typical 'mass' movie, it demands contemplation and ability to savour the taste of 'Bitter'. However, for those inclined to this genre, Kahi is a refreshing diversion from the mainstream, an artfully crafted masterpiece that leaves you brooding long after the credits have rolled. In a world where cinema is often limited to entertainment, Kahi braves to journey into the realm of introspection and thoughtful engagement, which makes it a film worth watching.