Movie review ‘Care of Footpath 2’: Let justice be done
The sequel is an ordinary experience with hardly any ‘wow’ factor
By : shashiprasad s m
Update: 2015-12-04 08:47 GMT
Director: Kishan S S
Cast: Avika Gor, Deepp Pathak, Jaya Karthik, Kishan, Dingri Naresh, Esha Deol, Shravanthi Sainath, Anees Bazmee, Syed Safiq.
Rating: 2 stars
It was indeed a proud moment for India and all the Kannadigas when at the age of 9, he became the youngest film director of a professionally made feature length film as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records, for directing Care of Footpath. Now, Kishan, the versatile filmmaker is 19 years old as he is back to direction along with acting, after almost a decade with the sequel to his popular film which earned him world wide recognition. However, it’s been a totally different scenario this time, and unfortunately a huge disappointment which can be aptly described with the popular saying in Hindi – khoda pahad nikla chuha which translates to as – dug a mountain only to find a mouse!
Why it is a big let down? The blame goes to none other than the director himself and all those who worked closely for the film, by raising the bar so high, constantly talking about reaching nothing less than Oscars which automatically shot up the expectations. But after experiencing the sequel which runs up to 2 hour 15 minutes, there was hardly any moment which truly deserved any of the tall claims.
Kishan who is now replaced by a Nepali boy Saugat Bista as the youngest film director of a professionally made feature length film at the age of 8, for directing Love You Baba released in December 2014, has however technically excelled when compared to many of the experienced directors who are usually blamed for their glaring mistakes while desperately attempting for a sure shot box-office hits. What is more disheartening is that the making team repeatedly stressing upon the kind of research and effort they had to put in for a subject like juvenile justice!
The sequel revolves around few adolescents in a slum in Bengaluru, who face the law for plotting the murder of a policeman. Incidentally, South Korea had chosen a film on a teenage criminal – Juvenile Offender as its entry for best foreign language film at the 86th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. Usually it is unshakable faith in their films that spurs the filmmakers whose films has not been selected as the official entry to Oscars, and who would spend loads of money on a campaign, to compete against the best of Hollywood. The buzz around the lateral entry to Oscars, has definitely juiced some publicity for the film.
The acting calibres of Esha Deol, and few others including Kishan, is another drawback to the honest but ‘uncontrolled’ effort. He has lost the track which signifies even in the casting of ‘big’ names with Oscar attachments - Shravanthi Sainath of Life of Pi, and Syed Safiq of Salaam Bombay! Keeping aside the past glory, the sequel is an ordinary experience with hardly any ‘wow’ factor which amazes to support the Academy dreams. It’s not child’s play anymore.