PremiumSapta Sagaradaache Ello and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu: The parallels
There are parallels between Rakshit Shetty and Hemanth M Rao’s two films, Sapta Sagaradaache Ello and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, and perhaps that is the reason they are both such treats to watch
Last Updated: 08.28 PM, Sep 02, 2023
In 2016, when director Hemanth M Rao’s debut film Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu released, it was an experience! There was so much that was right about the film that Kannadigas started to feel pride once again in their movies. The emotions in that film not only touched you but wrapped you in a tight embrace, forcing you to completely feel them. And the performances were such, especially that of Anant Nag, that you felt everything that the characters went through. Hemanth Rao announced that he was here, and how!
Read also: Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Side A review: Hemanth M Rao's throbbing love story leaves you wanting more
I eagerly watched his next film, the 2019 film Kavaludaari starring Rishi. While it was a good film, it lacked the magic of Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, and to be honest, such brilliance, if not impossible, is certainly hard to recreate.
One could feel that Hemanth was back in his original form with Sapta Sagaradaache Ello’s first-look and poster releases. So, I knew that this was a movie that I had to watch, and that too within the first weekend. What’s more, it had the winning combination of Rakshit Shetty, Hemanth M Rao, and Charan Raj. What more reason did I need? None!
Sapta Sagaradaache Ello - Side A is many different emotions that all come crashing at you one wave after another. I completely enjoyed this beautiful and brooding tale, in which you can’t help but root for the lead pair. I lived each moment of the film and found myself lost in what was going on in front of me, beyond the confines of the theatre screen.
After living the experience of the film and taking it along with me all the way back home until real life hit and it was time to snap back to reality, I realised that there were certain parallels between Sapta Sagaradaache Ello and Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu, and perhaps that is the reason I enjoyed watching both films. Here’s my take:
The Rakshit Shetty and Hemanth M Rao combination
Rakshit Shetty may have had some hits and misses, but there is no denying that he is a good actor with good taste in films. Hemanth M Rao has proven his cinematic sensibilities, and when both he and Rakshit get together, the audience expects nothing less than a winner. And the way things are going, these expectations seem justified. Even Rakshit told OTTplay that he and Hemanth get along because of they prioritise cinema.
Strong female leads
Sruthi Hariharan as Dr. Sahana in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and Rukmini Vasanth as Priya in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello are strong women who never shy away from voicing their opinions. And both of them help Rakshit Shetty’s characters in their respective movies get back on track, in a way. Rakshit’s characters in both films (Shiva Rao in Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and Manu in Sapta Sagaradaache Ello) are vulnerable and flawed at such a human level that you can’t help but feel for them, even if Shiva doesn’t seem deserving of any compassion in the beginning of the film.
Stellar ensemble cast
One of the biggest wins for both of Hemanth’s films is the stellar performance of the supporting cast. Achyuth Kumar is brilliant in all his films and he brings his best to Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu and Sapta Sagaradaache Ello – Side A. Ramesh Indira steals the show in Sapta..., while Sharath Lohithaswa and Pavitra Lokesh shine during their limited scenes. Similarly, one can't forget Vasishta N Simha as Ranga in Godhi Banna...
Scenes that move you and touch your heart
Both of Hemanth’s films highlight emotions that make us all human. The main characters have a solid reason for being the way that they are, and love is what motivates the main characters in both Sapta…and Godhi Banna… to go to the lengths that they do. The characters are so well fleshed out that they move you from the get-go, and you find yourself rooting for them. You feel their pain, you rejoice in their joy, and you even wish that you could help them out. Such is the power of the characterisation that you go along on the ride with the leads.
Soul-stirring music by the genius that is Charan Raj
Godhi Banna’s soundtrack is without doubt one of the best Kannada film albums. Ee Sanjege, Ayomaya, and Ale Moodide tug at your heartstrings, while Komala Henne and Katheyondu Shuruvaagide envelope you in romance. While Sapta… has only two songs, Horaata and the Sapta Sagaradaache Ello Title Track win at evoking emotions, just as Charan’s songs in Godhi Banna… did. As the man himself, Charan Raj, told us that his songs capture the soul of the film.
Top notch cinematography
The cinematography of Sapta… is undeniably one of the film’s highlights. The play of colour and composition of the scenes is so well done that you are pulled into the lives of the characters. Clearly, a lot of thought was given to the composition of the scenes, the filters, camera angles, and the lighting, and it has all resulted in a job well done by Advaitha Gurumurthy. Nandakishore Neelakanta Rao impressed similarly with his brilliant cinematography in Godhi Banna.
Sapta Sagaradaache Ello is currently in theatres. Godhi Banna Sadharana Mykattu is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar and YouTube.