The kite flies high !!

I don't care who the lead actor or actress is. Just tell me who the cinematographer is. And who's the lyricist ? And who's composed the music ? Yeah ... this is the era of Kannada movies, and this is its present trend. Yograj Bhatt, a director who can cast a bunch of not-so-good-looking actors and actresses, a director who doesn't pay much attention to the story-line, yet captures the heart of the audience, simply with his astounding cinematography, location choice, heart rendering music and wonderful songs.

After reading a bad review of Gaalipata in Vijaya Karnataka, cousins and me went to the theater with a not-so-good feeling. We did not want a stupid movie to spoil our otherwise ecstatic mood. Lights off ... A/C on ... and the kite starts flying. 3 spoilt brats. Seems like Dil Chahta Hai. But its way different from it, although ideas seem to have been inspired from DCH. And there is also a lot of 'Mungaaru Male' touches to this movie.

Don't ask me what the story is. Anant Nag and Rangaayana Raghu are just way too awesome. Ganesh's dialogues are probably the best ... every college student would identify with what he says. Diganth ... well, not such a good actor, but he plays the clown's role well, and suits his character. Rajesh is fine, except for his not-needed beard. The actresses are ordinary, except Daisy. But Daisy too, you'll find, to be very reclined and silent. Probably the movie needed that.

But, the important thing is, none of this affects the movie. You'll be blown looking at the picturesque landscapes ... the hills ... the rain ... the mist ... the cliffs ... the mighty Cauvery Falls ... everything is shot to perfection. If Jog stunned you in Mungaaru Male, this probably is gonna give you a stroke. You think you are sitting one instant ... and the next ... you just feel weightless, floating amidst the clouds ... like a kite ...

Few actors ... but good actors ... witty lines ... excellent music by Harikrishna ... Sonu Nigam's voice ... it has it all ...

The movie lacks a story ... that's one area Yograj keeps failing ... yet he covers that up with stunning cinematography ... Baikal Fort, Kodachadri, Bluff (Gaganachukki & Barachukki falls) being the locations ... you can look at these places from such angles you never dreamt of !!

Yeah the wild-boar is way too artificial ... Yeah the movie lacks a story ... Yeah the actors ain't that good looking ... but so what ? If a movie is supposed to entertain you, if a movie is supposed to thrill you, if a movie is supposed to make you laugh, and if you think a movie is a good one if you emerge out of the theater with big smiles ... Gaalipata does fall into the category of a good movie. But if you want to believe the duffer who gave Gaalipata a bad review in Vijaya Karnataka, the very same writer who praised 'Sivaji' as though it was the best movie of the century ... you are losing out on one of a very good Yograj Bhatt product.

Our parents still talk of Rajkumar movies, calling it a golden era of our film industry. Then came a series of such atrocious movies, it was scary to even talk about our movies. This, i think, is yet again, one of those golden era that aged people keep talking about. This will be the era you are gonna mention to your kids and grandkids again and again. Watch Gaalipata ... and fall in love, all over again !!