Introduction –

The creative world is filled with insane stories … stories that reflect unrivalled passion and love for different forms of art. Kathakaar is about one such individual who although is indirectly connected to the world of cinema is completely besotted by its impact on humans. His name is Prakash and he is an operator / a projectionist in a single screen cinema.

AWARDS WON BY KATHAKAAR – The list is long, we have mentioned just a few.

Synopsis –

Prakash ( Piyush Mishra ) looks at the auditorium from inside the projection room, through the rectangular peephole. A smile appears on his face when he realizes that it is chock-a-block full. The word “Houseful” escapes through his lips. In spite of the darkness he visualizes the happiness, the euphoria of cinema lovers.

After the last show ends he continues to discuss films, recite dialogs of famous movie characters and even enact some of the scenes in his distinct narrative style. However, the world of cinema which was his lifeline snaps at that every moment. The single screen cinema is being converted into a multiplex and the new owners want younger operators. Prakash is shattered. He has no option but to head back to his village.

The Village – Will it offer respite?

His one room hut with a solo window enhances his frustrations further. His love for cinema and his desire for story telling are beautifully captured through series of actions. He tries to woo a young lad Gopal with one of his comic narratives albeit with small success. He chases young boys and girls soliciting anecdotes and enactments from popular movies but the children simply scamper out of fright.

And then a change occurs. Gopal comes back and asks Prakash to narrate a story. Over a period of time, the single spectator gradually morphs into a small group and still later into a crowd. Prakash is ecstatic. He organizes this story telling every evening under a big tree and every time he checks the audience through the window of his house. The film ends with Prakash wearing a big smile after seeing a record number of villagers waiting for his gig and informing the viewers that his show is “Houseful”.

Analysis –

Kathakaar has overwhelming number of elements which impresses us – right from the lights and shadow manipulation to shot composition, from frequent silent phases to narrative explosion. However, we feel the film could have been a minute or two longer. It would have offered depth to the story. Viewers are not given enough time to soak into the world of cinema and into the life of a projectionist. Piyush Mishra needs no introduction. A character artist par excellence he’s done full justice to the role.

2015 Abhimanyu Kanodia Abhimanyu Kanodia & Krishna Agarwal 11 Minutes YouTube

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