Agnyathavasi Movie Review: An atmospheric investigative drama that revels in its complex simplicity

ALSO READ | Good Bad Ugly Movie Review: An unhinged Ajith Kumar powers an outlandish and fun ‘fanboy sambavam’

And it is this ‘why’ that gradually unfolds as Agnyathavasi adds in a layer of understated romance that grows because of the computer. Interestingly enough, the old guard of the film label the computer as an ‘evil’ that would only result in the downfall of humanity, and we see how they aren’t angels in disguise either. But the film never shows a sense of urgency, almost mimicking the life in the village of Nalkeri. Agnyathavasi could have been a routine slow-burn that takes its time to unravel the murder, and uses the last act to reveal the murderer or the motive. But Janardhan and co-writer PM Krishna Raj have different ideas. It asks us a rather simple question. Is there something actually called the ‘greater good’? Who decides it, and for whom is this decision taken? What if an act for the greater good saves everyone else but the doer? We have often seen films asking the audience if they would do what the characters do in the film, if presented with the same situation. However, Agnyathavasi tells us that no matter what you decide, the bigger question is… Can you live with the repercussions of your decision?

The film starts with two men trying to save three drowning people. It cuts to a man plucking flowers. And then we see another man cooking food for his mother. Then there’s a boy with a computer, and he is prancing around with the girl of his dreams. And then, the film slowly connects all the dots to establish the common point of all these men and women. Hilariously and deliciously enough, it is chicken. These portions are actually quite funny without it ever being showy. It is one of those films that could have been a dark comedy, but the makers decide to take the serious route, but not without having their share of fun. The image of a rooster being perched on top of the police jeep is stuff of outlandishness. But the rooster plays an important part in the investigation. There is a crow prancing around a feast, and there is a brilliant easter egg in the food it consumes. There is a cruel twist of fate that is so shocking that it is funny, but sad enough to not make you laugh out loud. These scenes actually play out like a comedy sketch in a funeral but these are inside jokes only told to the audience, and would we dare to laugh or even break into a smile?

Team Agnyathavasi wonderfully criss-cross the narrative (excellent work by editor Bharath MC) to feed us nuggets of information at random moments that actually make sense in retrospect. However, this also leads to a sense of a daze because of the multiple timeline jumps. It is an experiment, for sure, with mixed results. But once you get used to this style, the film beautifully keeps us engrossed. It is a clearly well thought-out film where nothing is done without a reason. Why is the camera angle positioned a certain way when Rangayana Raghu and Harishankar have a conversation about Rohit? We are shown another angle, at a later time, to let us know the answer. Similar things happen throughout the film, and the writing even gives us answers to questions we didn’t have.

It is almost beautiful that Rangayana Raghu is unnamed in the film. His identity is simply what he does, and that adds so much weight to the film. You are what you do is such a powerful statement to make, and Janardhan does it without much of a fuss. Similarly, even the blossoming of the romance in the heart of Rohit (Siddu Moolimani), which is wonderfully juxtaposed with the growing fascination for his computer, is a lot of fun. And the way his love story with Pankaja (Paavana Gowda) is introduced to the audience is wonderful. The performances are top-notch, and we are never allowed to think right or wrong about any character till the filmmaker shows us what they are truly capable of. It is excellent writing powered by compelling performances, and aided by a strong technical team. All of them come together to make us realise that it is not very easy to act or show ‘simple’ and nothing about Agnyathavasi is simple.

ALSO READ | Bazooka Movie Review: A dashing Mammootty powers through a severely underwritten, yet sleek flick

Although Agnyathavasi has a killer ending, it is impressive how the film isn’t completely hinged on this reveal. It isn’t a case of ‘Look how we surprised you’ but more of a ‘See… this happened, and well… deal with it.” And that is why there is a feeling of completion, and the satisfaction of reading a well-paced novella. It is not an intense page-turner, but a story that can be gradually read over time as we flip through a few pages every single day, and you realise that you are reading more pages than the previous day, and knowing more about the world as the book progresses. One fine day, you read it all from the start, and realise that it was indeed an intense page-turner but one that requires our patience, in a good way, and when the last page is flipped, you are left with the double blow of a punch in the gut, and a lump in the throat. Some films are meant to be savoured not devoured, and no points for guessing how Agnyathavasi was consumed by yours truly.

Agnyathavasi Movie Director: Janardhan Chikkanna
Agnyathavasi Movie Cast: Rangayana Raghu, Ravishankar Gowda, Sharath Lohitashwa, Paavana Gowda, Siddu Moolinani
Agnyathavasi Movie Rating: 3.5