Film review 'Kismath': Evocative slice of reality

Kismath is a compelling portrait of contemporary society with its key theme of romance only underlining the societal divides, writes Deepa Gauri.

Kismath Starring: Shane Nigam, Shruthy Menon Directed by Shanavas K Bavakutty Now playing at theatres in the UAE Rating: 4/5

Debutant director Shanavas K Bavakutty had reminded on the eve of the release of Kismath in the UAE that the film is not another typical 'love story' but portrays the 'politics of love.'
He could not have been more right. Kismath is a disturbingly 'real' movie that highlights societal divides and prejudices, shown through the prism of the romance between two people belonging to different faith.
Faith and religion is but only one factor that forms the crux of Kismath's narrative.  What really makes it a compelling watch and a disturbing one at that is it's emotional, intellectual and aesthetic honestly.
Here is a film that is true to its milieu and deserves the applause one must reserve for the real gems in contemporary movie-making and not wasted on the social media-hyped mediocrities unleashed by the powerful 'camps' that operate in the industry today.
With no 'godfather' of sorts other than the support of cinematographer-director Rajeev Ravi and a few like-minded people, Shanavas charts a stunning visual poetry in Kismath - based on true life events.
And unlike Ennu Ninte Moideen - that puffed up piece of melodramatic kitsch set in a similar milieu - Kismath has a firm grip on its emotional quotient. If oranges be compared to oranges, Kismath is by far ahead than Moideen's cinematic sketch, and way ahead a love story that the mushy stuff that is peddled by the 'new gen' heroes.
What makes it compelling? It is in the way the story is set. The romance between Irfan (Shane Nigam) and Anitha (Shruthy Menon) is narrated from the mise en scène of a police station, where many people come and go.
And to think that the film was shot much before Action Hero Biju, but had to lie in the cans waiting for Lal Jose to come to its rescue! Shanavas gives us a rough portrait of contemporary society - from how we treat the 'other state workers' to how prejudiced we are in our social mores and convictions.
Unlike films in which every character is sort of duty-bound to add to the story, Kismath is true to its setting. People come and go into the narrative - because that is how life is. The Assamese boy, Appu Nair (a drunkard, played fantastically by Balachandran), the corrupt cop (an excellent Anil Nedumangadu) and others are so real - we might as well as be watching life unfold.
The film has a gripping tension from the start - when it comes to the core of the romance. And then it has Vinay Fortt playing a cop so arresting, he would give Nivin Paul's Biju Paulose a run for the money.
And full marks to Shane and Shruthy - they rise above the character sketch to deliver astonishing performances that are indeed award-worthy. No accomplished actor in Malayalam cinema could have delivered Irfan with such striking honesty as Shane does.
The docu-fiction mode of the film might not necessarily appeal to all. But it is hard to find fault in a film that is so refreshing in its honesty. Watch Kismath, if you love good cinema.