Prithvi – A must watch for all Kannadigas and movie enthusiasts

While booking tickets to watch Prithvi on Saturday, I did not know a thing about the movie’s storyline. I only knew that it had the Milana pair in lead roles. I had watched Milana quite late after it had released and liked it. Incidentally, it was my first Puneet Rajkumar film as well. Not only did I like Puneet’s acting it, the actress was good and the movie was decent enough for a family watch. This element was what made me decide to give Prithvi a try. And boy, was it a good decision or what!
Prithvi is undoubtedly heralding new times in Kannada commercial cinema. Apart from containing all elements that cater to masses, it brings to fore that one element Kannada movie makers always missed – good dialogues. There was never a moment where I had to cringe in embarrassment because the line was extremely corny. Families can watch this film together and enjoy it. The songs are not misplaced, are good on the ears and merge into the story.
The story is the protagonist in this film. Corruption is brought down to its knees in the corridors that breed it – politics and administrative services. An IAS officer who takes up the post of Deputy Commissioner in Bellary fights a battle against mining lords, corrupt politicians and wins in the end. It is a story of good triumphing over the evil but it also gives another message – if everyone did their job as mandated, corruption would not stand a chance. Why do we forget this, I wonder? The film is hard-hitting throughout the 120+ minutes. The director has not minced words or incidents anywhere. He bravely gets his actors to mouth dialogues that come with the tag – pun intended! Reference to a puppet of a Chief Minister being one of them :)
The casting could not have been more appropriate. Puneet Rajkumar as Prithvi lives the character. He has emoted with accuracy from frame one till the end. The scene where he cries after meeting journalist Basavaraju’s widowed wife will go down as one of his best ever. Parvathi Menon plays the role of his wife with seamless ease. Not only has she done full justice to her character without going over the top, she looks beautiful without an iota of makeup.
I hope the director of this film continues to make more such films. I will definitely be there in the audience each time. I have never before been so proud of modern Kannada cinema.
For all those Kannadigas and movie aficionados, go ahead and watch this film. It is worth your while!