Soulful, soothing sojourn preaching peace, amity

Film reviews

Santheyalli Nintha
Kabira
Kannada (U), Cast: Shiva Rajkumar, Sanusha, Anant Nag, Avinash, Sarath Kumar, Sharath
Lohitshwa, Bhagirathi
Bai Kadam
Director: Indra Babu

Salute Shiva Rajkumar for a daring, decisive decision. For consciously shedding his superstar status, as also the machu, langu culture he has regretfully come to be identified with.

He, along with director Indra Babu of Kabbadi fame, has taken that laudable leap of faith, in giving himself and Sandalwood cinema the much-needed screen makeover. They need to be appreciated for providing clean, sensitive and sensible cinema, despite strong commercial pulls, given Shiva Rajkumar’s stature.

But for two song and dance sequences, Ismail Darbar’s inspired background score and emotive music for Saint Kabir’s innumerable couplets, is pleasing to ears.

Based on eminent Hindi writer Bhisham Sahni’s 1981 play Kabira Khara Bazar Mein, and set in Varanasi, the film faithfully brings on to screen the life of 15th century mystic saint-poet Kabir, who espoused the cause of peace and amity among all religions, eschewing violence. He takes on the establishment through his non-violent methods and stinging, sardonic couplets.

The first half has a brisk pace detailing the birth and adoption of Kabir and how he indulges himself in poetry, aiding hapless people, incurring the wrath of his adoptive father. The second half is a tad sagging. But that is to be expected, given the legend the film is bringing on to screen.

How Kabira, despite being persecuted and slandered by both Hindu and Muslim communities for his forward thinking ways, and champions the cause of downtrodden forms the rest of Indra Babu’s moving film. Besides Shiva Kumar’s stellar performance as the saintly Kabira, debutant Sanusha as Loi also does a competent job. The ensemble cast too comes up with engaging performances.