'Kalinga', starring and directed by Dhruva Vaayu, is produced by Deepthi Kondaveeti and Pruthivi Yadav of Big Hit Productions. The mystical thriller hits the screens this Friday.
Story:
A happy-go-lucky orphan named Linga (Dhruva Vayu) finds his peaceful village life disrupted when a local bully, Bali (Sanjay Krishna), targets his beloved Paddu (Pragya Nayan). Linga, who trades in alcohol, faces a double threat: Bali's harassment and a recurring nightmare that confounds him. Circumstances force Linga to turn into a daredevil in search of something precious. Can his path of self-discovery change his life?
Performances & Technical Departments:
Dhruva Vayu looks grounded and largely apt for the role of an apparently reckless but otherwise purposive youngster. His acting needs refinement. He is macho and so can opt for a cop role in a future film.
Pragya Nayan looks like a typical Telugu belle. Her chemistry with Dhruva is raw. Aadukalam Naren gets to play the typical feudal hegemon who is not aware of the trap he is walking into. Lakshman Meesala of 'RX 100' fame is good as the male lead's friend. Sanjay Krishna is routine in an evil role. Muralidhar Goud is seen as Paddu's father, while Tanikella Bharani has an effective cameo (his character is a bridge between the past and present). Shiju AR (as a king with noble intentions), Sammeta Gandhi (as Linga's grandfather), 'Balgam' Sudhakar, and Harishchandra play different roles.
The music by Vishnu Sekhara and Anantha Narayanan AG should have been more nuanced and compelling, given the supernatual and divine nature of the story. The cinematography by Akshay Ram Podishetti is average. The film is edited by Naresh Venuvanka
Analysis:
The film begins with a prologue narrating the Narasimha Swamy-Prahalada-Hiranya Kashyapa story. While everybody knows why Sri Hari took the form He took, not many know what followed the arrival of the Avatar. 'Kalinga' touches upon the scriptures-based story to build its world. Cut to 1922, a series of eerie incidents surrounding an elderly couple amidst dry fields deepens the mystery. Following a few unexplained tragedies in the Telugu village, the chieftain renounces all his ties and walks into the wilderness.
Linga, eager to marry his beloved Paddu, faces a challenge. Then there is a land-grabber who initially believing himself to be smarter, is eventually outsmarted by Linga.
The first half is spent on introducing rare rituals to the audience. In terms of shot-making and dramatization, we are reminded of 'Kantara' time and again. The villagers waiting for good days seem listless. Care should have been taken in this regard.
Owing to the fear of mysterious deaths ostensibly caused by a supernatural force, villagers can't step out of the border while a ritual is on. The elements of a haunted jungle, a wicked battle, and a dishonorable entity thicken the plot in the second half.
Linga’s presence in the first half adds a lighter tone to the film. Even as the narrative shifts to a treasure hunt in the second half, Lakshman Meesala’s character maintains a relatively carefree atmosphere. While Linga’s motives and thoughts initially raise questions, they are fully explained in the film’s conclusion.
Elements like the gory death of a pregnant woman should have been portrayed tastefully. The lecher's character is not fleshed out that well.
Vox Verdict:
While 'Kalinga' offers an intriguing blend of mythology and suspense, its execution could have been better. The film's strong points include its premise, decent performances, and mood-creation.
Rating: 2.75
