We found ourselves puzzled while watching Dileep’s film Kathavastion, unsure if it fell into the category of an art film. However, our initial expectations were shattered in the first half. The film’s production and direction were noteworthy! It’s a remarkable non-linear movie. Gopinathan’s character was expertly developed, portrayed flawlessly from beginning to end. Through every scene, we gain deeper insights into the character of Gopinathan(Dileep). The film’s plot revolves around Gopinathan’s suicide and the subsequent inquiry carried out by Jyothirmayee.
The film employs a technique of revisiting each scene from various characters’ perspectives, similar to what we observe in LJP’s ‘City of God. One of the most appealing aspects is how the director handles the repetition without ever causing the audience to lose interest. We previously praised and teased Mahesh’s cheerful smile at his girlfriend’s wedding in ‘Maheshinte Prathikaram’. But it’s evident that the identical scene drew inspiration from ‘Kadhavasheshan
-Scene From Maheshinte Prathikaram- (below)
– Scene From Kadavasheshan – (below)
Similarly, the character of Indrans, a thief, and his chemistry with the protagonist, bear resemblance to certain moments in DQ’s ‘Charlie.’ We particularly value the scene where Gopinathan’s girlfriend shares the flashback. It breaks away from the usual movie formula where characters narrate something in the background while their actions contradict their words, indicating deception.
Similar to Christopher Nolan’s masterpieces like ‘Memento’ and ‘The Prestige,’ this film adopts a non-linear narrative style, with scenes depicting Gopinathan meeting Jyothirmayee’s character serving as noteworthy examples of this technique. Having received four state awards in 2004, the movie is bound to captivate viewers and position itself as one of the defining accomplishments in Dileep’s career.
