Kaaneyadavara Bagge Prakatane review: An emotional tale of friendship and human values that lacks nuance

2.5/5

Spoilers Ahead...

Story:

Kitty, Ranga, and Nani, three childhood friends, reunite in Bangkok for a trip filled with booze, mischief, and bonhomie. Back home, the three old men are reported missing by their respective families but as the police begin their hunt, they discover the friends to be involved in a murder and currently on the run. The film then takes us on a nostalgia trip through the '60s and the '80s to present a vibrant and emotional tale of friendship and human relations.

Review:

In many capacities, the title Kaaneyadavara Bagge Prakatane seems a tad ill-fitting. For starters, any title of that kind implies a comic caper or a film that's predominantly based on those on the run or missing from the public eye. While Anil Kumar's latest release does feature a prominent missing element, the title withholds the film's strong nostalgia trip that brims with many little tales of love, friendship, and human values.  

Krishnamurthy aka Kitty, Ranga, and Nani are presently aged 62 but their friendship goes back many decades. The three friends have been through the best and worst together and the ongoing trip to Bangkok, albeit under slightly suspicious circumstances, is their best excuse to indulge in booze, women, and a strong nostalgia trip. It is during the course of this indefinitely long trip that we, the audience, are made privy to the many highs and lows of each of their lives and told that despite all the differences, the friends shall remain inseparable. Anil Kumar's script is non-linear and starts off on a promising note by navigating through the tricky timeline with finesse but runs out of steam as it closes in on more meaningful moments. Though the film boasts of a new level of freshness, the filmmaker is unwilling to let go of his commercial/masala inclinations and ends up coming off loud, overdramatic, and unoriginal in his approach. His attempts to seamlessly blend human values and sentiments with a breezy ride of friendship and bonhomie is interesting at first glance but there just isn't any nuance in his writing or execution that makes this a memorable film. 

At its heart, Kaaneyadavara Bagge Prakatane is an emotional tale of friendship, love, and human values. In linearity, the story kicks off sometime in the '60s during the pre-adolescent phase of the three friends and then takes a leap to the '80s to present the bustling youth in them. Each of the three phases, including the current one, enunciates their individual hardships, their trysts and miffs with love and family, and the fierce loyalty they have for one another. While these aspects seem quite enterprising on paper, it becomes apparent a bit too early in the film that Anil Kumar lacks ambition and isn't keen on stepping outside his comfort zone. Despite some credible performances by the three veteran actors, the film's humor and tone come off as crass and filled with double-entendres. Ashika Ranganath makes a pleasant special appearance in the film and even nudges the film in a new direction and Chikkanna, who plays the trio's tour guide in Bangkok, too makes his presence felt with a few endearing scenes. Thilak Shekar of Uggramm fame is seen playing a stoic cop and makes a mark in the crucial part.

Verdict:

Kaaneyadavara Bagge Prakatane packs a promising premise and three seasoned actors but lacks in intent and nuance. Writer-director Anil Kumar infuses heartfelt nostalgia and human sentiments into the film and makes a few valid points in the course and yet, he falters in execution and originality. Regardless, one must give the filmmaker enough credit to pick an interesting subject and attempt to bring it to life with no big names or associations. Watch the film to enjoy some innuendo-filled humor and a hark-back to the days of bell bottoms, mega-sleeve blouses, and long manes.