The funny thing about Dia is that, it tempts you to praise it for what it is not. The film does not have an earth shatteringly distinctive story. The plot wouldn't exactly invoke an urge in you to compare it to a Nolan screenplay. There is no action or anything remotely similar to a fight and no, there is not much comedy, sorry Sadhu and Chikkanna fans! There is not much for fans of horror or suspense either. Tssk!
Heroism and build up? No sir! Villains ? Naa baba naa. Breathtaking locations then? No. And for those want a longer list of "No"s, there are no songs either! How on earth can anyone make an engaging movie without any of these then? The director somehow magically pulls it off, an accomplishment I would've once thought inconceivable. It is the fragrance of genuine warmth,innocence and grace that happens to be the director's magical wand. It is those intimate, beautifully observed small moments beaming with warmth that turn a 90s type old fashioned story into something delicate, dignified and honestly moving.
Almost a disney film like cheerfulness in the background score by Ajaneesh adds to the mood. New faces and their fresh voices help. We were discussing as to how a single dubbing artist seems to be lending her voice to almost every heroine, hence creating some sort of monotony and how it felt so fresh to hear Manvita Hareesh's voice in Kendasampige. Here also the heroine's voice seems new.
Characters(especially the leading lady and her voice-overs) are cute and the progression of their affection for one another is believable and not as artificial as is generally the case in the routine masala movies. This genuineness matters. There also is a deliberate attempt to avoid most of the cliches and infuse freshness in the narration. Result is a film of moods and tones and pools of feeling, full of moving moments and tenderness. This is as close as KFI can possibly get to humming KS Narsimhaswaami's love songs.
Direction and writing is simple, yet assured, situations are explored with lyrical artistry and touching drama, touching mainly because we care about the characters. It is an achingly tender love story,that leaves a bittersweet or rather a bitter aftertaste, it is no wonder that the suddenness of the climax and the bitter aftertaste exasperated many.
All said, this film is an evidence that sometimes it's the simple, unfussy storytelling that comes off best.
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