In Gowri, filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh introduces his son Samarjit to Sandalwood in a visually appealing showcase of the young talent’s abilities. Samarjit can fight like a pro, dance like a talent show contestant, and comes well-trained in acting, with the looks of a movie star. The film is a clear display of his potential, inviting the industry to take note. The boy is talented and seems poised to carve out a significant role for himself in the future.
The film, a musical, is designed to put Samarjit on a pedestal. The director includes all the elements a newcomer would want to highlight. Samarjit demonstrates his acting range by playing both a village boy with a hearing impairment and an orphaned city singer. He gets to romance the leading lady in stunning locations, emote in devotional songs, show off his driving skills, bare his six-pack, and take down villains.
The story revolves around a village boy named Gowrishankar (or Gowri, played by Samarjit), who has a hearing impairment. His father, a traditional singer, is disappointed by his son’s condition and treats him harshly. Despite this, Gowri dreams of becoming a professional singer and leaves home to pursue his ambitions while also taking care of his mother. In the city, where he is selected as a singer in a band, Gowri faces new challenges but overcomes them to achieve his dream. The plot remains focused on his journey, avoiding unnecessary diversions and giving the protagonist ample opportunities to shine.
Since the film’s primary purpose is to launch Samarjit as a hero, Indrajit Lankesh takes a familiar approach, avoiding risks with the story. The narrative includes traditional elements like mother-son and father-son sentiments, as well as a romantic subplot. A talent show is introduced, but the antagonists are not portrayed as outright villains. The film’s focus remains squarely on the newcomer. Saanya Iyer, also making her debut as the leading lady, makes the most of her role. Her character is given added depth with a backstory, and her journey helps drive the plot.
Two aspects of the film stand out. The first is the music, with its catchy lyrics and captivating songs. A couple of tracks are truly mesmerizing. A heartfelt song dedicated to the late Gowri Lankesh, who was assassinated a few years ago, stands out, though the film is not about her. This tribute will resonate most with those familiar with the family’s history.
The second highlight is the cinematography. The film takes viewers on a grand tour of some of Karnataka’s most beautiful and iconic locations, offering a stunning visual treat. Despite the film’s relatively short duration, the ensemble cast is given ample screen time, with Sampath Maithreya standing out among the supporting actors.
Gowri serves as a perfect launch pad for any newcomer. Both Samarjit and Saanya show great promise for the future of the Kannada film industry.
Film: Gowri Director: Indrajit Lankesh Cast: Samarjit Lankesh, Saanya Iyer, Sampath Maithreya, Manasi Sudhir, Sihi Kahi Chandru, Rajeev Pillai Duration: 130 minutes Certificate: U Stars: 3.5
