A movie free of pretensions and which holds up a perspective that is against the popular tide will no doubt be a talking point. ‘Kismat’ sure makes us sit up and take notice and director Shanavas Bhavakutty has spoken up on some pertinent issues from a novel angle. There are no elements of fantasy or make-believe. The world of ‘Kismat’ is real and tangible. In a way it makes us question our own perspectives and basically hold a mirror to the attitudes and mid sets of contemporary society. While on one hand this is an intense love story, the politics of caste, class and power on the other hand takes it to a different plane. Shanavas has been able to create the right mix to convey his thoughts.
In retrospect the movie takes off in different trajectories to arrive at the love story. In the first half of the movie a lot many other sub plots are interspersed and the love angle actually takes a back seat. The film places itself squarely at Malapurram with a Mappilapaattu shown realistically, establishing the place and era. The world of Irfan (Shane Nigam) and Anita (Shruthi Menon) is thrown open to us. As is evident from the trailers and promos, theirs is an unlikely relationship with Irfan belonging to a conservative Muslim family and Anita being an SC, who is five years his senior. Conventions and codes are being questioned intermittently. The violence in the movie is real as with the arrogant and brutal SI played to the hilt by Vinay Fortt to whom Irfan goes to seek protection to get married, the family of the couple in love, the world around them and the mindsets governing rights and wrongs.
As mentioned earlier, there are off shoots in the narrative, which though might seem irrelevant to the overall plot, gels well in the film. The immigrant labourer issue, the wrongly accused and framed, the woes of the people who have no one to speak for them and more dot the movie. The second half concentrates entirely on the love angle, though some more depth could have lent the plot more gravity. The climax is hard hitting and is realistic to the boot.
Shane Nigam steals the show with his brilliant timing and emoting and is one talented actor to watch out for. Vinay Fortt is impressive in this unusual role and he has done brilliantly. Alencier Lay, Binoy Nambala, Anil Nedumangad and Sunil Sukadha too have impressive screen presence. This is Shruthi Menon’s debut and she has largely given a good show though could hone her skills more. In a movie without cheesiness and clichés, the actors have been able to live their characters fully and Shanavas has brought out the essence of his characters well.
‘Kismat’ has realistic frames that are not romanticized. Edits are fine and music is impressive. Its songs are soothing. This movie might not be everyone’s cup of tea. But ‘Kismat’ is a fine tale told well and its soul is haunting and sensible. Watch the movie for its honesty and take on orthodox conventions which could very well be your own.
