Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana Review

Introduction

Vrishabha Vahana is a gangster movie featuring Garuda Gamana Raj B Shetty and Rishab Shetty. The movie runs for 151 minutes and is captivating due to its exceptional writing and execution.

Cast and Crew

Produced by Rakshit Shetty's Paramvah Pictures, the movie stars Gopal Krishna Deshpande as Brahmayya, Raj B Shetty as Shiva, and Rishab Shetty as Hari. Raj B Shetty, who has previously worked on Ondu Motteya Kathe, showcases his excellent writing, director, and actor skills in Kannada movies.

The movie's background soundtrack by Midhun Mukundan and the cinematography by Praveen Shriyan are outstanding.

Movie Review

One scene that stands out is the montage of Shiva and his shoes, which adds a touch of humor to the otherwise severe criminal thriller. Garuda Gamana is not just a story about two unlikely friends ruling over large areas of Mangaluru with an iron fist from narrow alleys. It's a larger tale exploring loyalty, right and wrong, and karma. Rishab's portrayal of Hari showcases a specific fantastic: his lips smile while his mind plots and his eyes remain cold. On the other hand, Raj's Shiva is a beautiful character with immense loyalty and ruthlessness, but he also loves cricket and the boys he plays with. He's considered their "Shiva Anna," and their innate love for him is the final piece of the puzzle in Garuda Gamana.

Raj uses body language in the story to convey relationship dynamics instead of words. Brahmayya, a police officer, is demoted and sent to Mangaluru as a punishment for talking to his daughter while on duty. However, two of his old friends who have turned to a life of crime happily greet him. Despite being afraid, Brahmayya manages to level the playing field when pushed to the limit. In the world of Shiva and Hari, men are in control except for Hari's mother, who found Shiva while cooking lunch. It's great to see that women are not just used as accessories. Through various incidents, while playing and working together, Hari discovers how much Shiva cares for him and his resentment.

In life, small choices can have significant consequences and lead to conflicts. This was the case when Ravi Anna, owner of a betting syndicate, entered the lives of a few individuals, causing irreparable changes. Hari's attention shifted away from Shiva and their mutual friends, causing changes in his behavior, lifestyle, and social circle. Raj Shetty is a physical actor who conveys emotions through facial expressions rather than words. He uses energetic dance moves to take over the entire screen or creatively uses limited space like a window ledge to captivate the audience.

He is known for criticizing and swearing on the cricket pitch when he disagrees with decisions, as his facial expressions remain unchanged until something causes a reaction. Shiva only makes fun of his favorite actor, Kishore Kumar, and becomes upset when something wrong happens to him. The background music adds to the moment's drama at the Kadri temple steps. The movie Garuda Gamana, with a touch of Tulu, successfully captures the essence of Mangaluru Kannada and deserves appreciation on the big screen. Using locations such as Jeppu, Mangaladevi, and Kadri creates a special connection for residents.

The emotion of Pili Vesha may be complex for outsiders to fully comprehend, as it is deeply rooted in the culture. Like in the movie Ondu Motteya Kathe, familiarity with the geographical and linguistic context influences the audience's upbeat mood. Despite containing scenes of violence, the artwork in Praveen also has a poetic quality that balances out the gore. The audience may even feel uncomfortable simply seeing someone's feet.

Next to the paan store is a visually striking sight that combines shades of crimson, green, and grey uniquely. The movie portrays violence as a means of self-preservation without glorifying it. The film's central themes are the triumph of dedication over power and the never-ending cycle of bloodshed. The story of Shiva and Hari, the creator and destroyer, highlights the connection between behavior and possessions.

Awards

At the 67th Filmfare Awards, Raj B. Shetty was awarded South Best Director.
Rishab Shetty has been nominated for Best Actor at the 10th South Indian International Movie Awards.
Raj B. Shetty has received a nomination for Best Actor at the 67th Filmfare Awards South.
Praveen Shriyan has been nominated for the Best Cinematographer award at the 10th South Indian International Movie Awards.