Karthik calling audiences
By: Amit R Agarwal
Thanks to multiplexes film-makers and audiences can now savor films with storylines that were earlier considered dead investments.
Kathik Calling Karthik is one such film. It should work in big city multiplexes.
KCK tells the story of Karthik (Farhan Akhtar), a looser, as a layman would call him. He has no-confidence, low on self-esteem and is always bullied.
His boss (Ram Kapoor) treats him like shit, if I may use the term.
The worst part is that a colleague whom he secretly loves, Shonali (Deepika Padukone) doesn't even know about his existence.
Things however change, when one night, he gets a call. Karthik speaks to someone he never thought he would. He speaks to the man who tells him, he is Karthik. He assures Karthik that he wants to change his life.
Karthik's life does change and from a looser, he soon turns into a winner; but the things change when he tells about it to his love Shonali. For the caller Karthik tells the protagonist Karthik not to disclose about phone-calls to anyone including Shonali. Now Kathik wants to destroy Karthik.
How will protagonist Karthik save himself forms the narrative. It would be a spoiler to reveal the climax.
The film draws much of its concept from Munnabhai's condition in Lage Raho Munnabhai - the only change is Munnabhai hears Gandhi ji; Karthik hears Karthik on phone!
I would laud debutant director Vijay Lalwani's writing skills rather than directorial skills. KCK is a perfect case of good writing. Directorially the film is simple, but it is one of those rare films that uses color-correction to heighten the impact of scenes. A few color-corrected scenes stand-out visually.
What rocks the movie:
Writing
Novel Concept
Performances - each and every performance is noteworthy
Cinematography by Sanu John Varughese
What chucks the movie:
Editing - two songs in the 2nd half though in background jar the narrative.
Better music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy would have helped the film's BO prospects.
Verdict
KCK is definitely a one time watch for those who are not looking for an escapist fare.