It'd been two years since a Yash movie was at the cinemas. Yet, almost counterintuitively, Yash's stature and the expectations from his next project had risen rapidly in this lull. You couldn't ignore KGF no matter when or how you learned of it: the ambitious five-language dream, the trailers teasing you with glimpses of the gangster protagonist, or a never-before-seen promotional blitzkrieg for a movie originating in Sandalwood. Hype, however, can be dangerous, for though it may ensure tickets are sold out for the first day, the first ones in as also the first ones out may well warn off the fan fraternity in case of dismay.
For once, I have watched a movie the day after its release, paying in excess of 400 rupees for the ticket, and rising early on a Saturday. I did await the release for the actor with whom the lights and camera seem ever more smitten with each movie as also the veteran whom they've loved now for decades. Quick recommendation: watch KGF for Anant Nag's brilliant narration and Yash's effortless embodiment of a larger-than-life persona. Sometimes, what glitters is indeed gold.
The underworld, because it is beyond the everyday experience or imagination for most of us, could be regarded as a parallel universe. As such, when tales from this universe reach the screen, they have traces of violence and depravity that are hard to believe, as also outsized portrayals of the human-like inhabitants of the universe. So, while not demanding the same sort of credulity as the Marvel universe, this universe, a tad more familiar through news reports and urban legends, still requires you to indulge its idiosyncrasies. As a reminder of this requirement, the characters in these tales have their own inhuman strengths and quirks. The protagonist of KGF, Rocky, follows this template.
Born to a poor single mother, Raja Krishnappa Bairya learns from watching his mother's struggles and the lessons she gleans and passes on that it is important to possess wealth and to stand for oneself and thereby lead others. These learnings influence his ambitions and actions through this first cinematic chapter of his life. Further, seeking money , he learns he needs power, and seeking power makes his way to Bombay.
Polishing boots to earn his bread and shelter, he eventually works for a don, Shetty, and becomes the foremost guardian of the don's gold smuggling business in Bombay. Somewhere along the way he begins to call himself Rocky for reasons explained in the movie. Listen closely also to the narration to understand the backdrop that makes gold smuggling so lucrative in Bombay (hint: geopolitical causes - boy, have I been waiting to use that phrase meaningfully!). If you fancy single-handed action-packed heroic interventions, you will like Rocky's deterrence of a don competing to smuggle gold via the Bombay coast.
Shetty's patron eventually brings Rocky to Bangalore to kill Garuda, a tyrannical controller of an illegal and well-concealed gold mine. The patron and his partners hope to gain control of the mine for themselves having held a share previously with Garuda's by-now-invalid father. A plot to kill Garuda during a rare visit to Bangalore fails. The action shifts to the mines as Rocky pursues his target by becoming one of the enslaved workers in the mine. A tyrant, oppressive guards, emaciated and despondent workers, and a raging Rocky - I suppose you could imagine how things may unfold, but it's definitely worth a watch to see if your guess is right as also for the screenplay and cinematography, both of which film-making aspects glitter much in KGF. Also, there are other characters who affect the scenario but remain unmentioned in this post as this is not a dedicated Wiki page. For example, do you not wonder about the heroine's role, and as to why a Chapter 2 may be necessary?
Yash dons the monster's - no, not gangster's - mantle with ease. Whether throwing around punches or punchlines, he does so with unwavering conviction. His fluency in the comical and sentimental snatches match his flourish in his menacing utterances and murdererous strikes. Rocky's mother, despite her digressive and brief appearances, makes an impression. The ensemble cast play their roles to perfection. Anant Nag's narration is immaculate in diction and intonation, as must be expected from the venerable veteran.
Yes, I do think the movie has a few flaws, but that's for another post. In case you read this post till here, I am grateful for your indulgence and can assure you KGF will entertain you much more and strain your nerves a lot less than I have. I hope you will have watched the movie by the time I finish the post on the flaws and we can debate them keenly.
For now, Salaam Rocky Bhai...
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