It is immensely hard to catch the audience by surprise in the over-populated and overdone gangster drama genre where audiences have been exposed to everything from Scorcese's panache to Kashyap's rootedness.
Yet, Raj B Shetty's "Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana" deftly unnerves and astounds with its rustic narration, explosive action and mythological symbolism, augmented by a chilling background score and convincing lead performances.
Rishab and Raj might be lesser known Shettys of Kannada cinema given the pan-India reach of Rakshit Shetty but they stand a head taller here in terms of creative output. Raj B Shetty is stunning as "Shiva", nuanced and restrained in emotional portions and deliciously violent in the action segments, playing an able foil to Rishab Shetty's "Hari".
With obvious symbolism to Hindi deities Lord Shiva and Vishnu respectively, the story follows the two surrogate brothers as they build a mafia empire together, only to squabble and fight as a clever police office turns them against each other.
The oft-repeated plotline, reminiscent of Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018) however, does not come across as formulaic since the narrative is purely driven forward by the lead actors' immense performances and the use of motifs and analogies to create lasting emotional impact.
The director uses smartly tailored frames and spine-tingling background music to create a sense of foreboding and dread even with just a pair of shoes! With rustic characters, raw violence, psychological turmoil and human ego driving the story forward, Malayalees especially will feel a sense of Lijo Jose Pallissery-ness in this story, such is the quality and vibrancy of Raj B Shetty's construction of the narrative.
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana is a landmark not just in Kannada cinema, but in the annals of Indian cinema as well. It is no wonder that celebrated auteur Gautham Menon quickly snapped up the Tamil remake rights for this gem.
All superlatives and praise fall short for this sensational gangster saga. Highly, highly recommended. An absolute must-watch!
Yet, Raj B Shetty's "Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana" deftly unnerves and astounds with its rustic narration, explosive action and mythological symbolism, augmented by a chilling background score and convincing lead performances.
Rishab and Raj might be lesser known Shettys of Kannada cinema given the pan-India reach of Rakshit Shetty but they stand a head taller here in terms of creative output. Raj B Shetty is stunning as "Shiva", nuanced and restrained in emotional portions and deliciously violent in the action segments, playing an able foil to Rishab Shetty's "Hari".
With obvious symbolism to Hindi deities Lord Shiva and Vishnu respectively, the story follows the two surrogate brothers as they build a mafia empire together, only to squabble and fight as a clever police office turns them against each other.
The oft-repeated plotline, reminiscent of Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018) however, does not come across as formulaic since the narrative is purely driven forward by the lead actors' immense performances and the use of motifs and analogies to create lasting emotional impact.
The director uses smartly tailored frames and spine-tingling background music to create a sense of foreboding and dread even with just a pair of shoes! With rustic characters, raw violence, psychological turmoil and human ego driving the story forward, Malayalees especially will feel a sense of Lijo Jose Pallissery-ness in this story, such is the quality and vibrancy of Raj B Shetty's construction of the narrative.
Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana is a landmark not just in Kannada cinema, but in the annals of Indian cinema as well. It is no wonder that celebrated auteur Gautham Menon quickly snapped up the Tamil remake rights for this gem.
All superlatives and praise fall short for this sensational gangster saga. Highly, highly recommended. An absolute must-watch!