Critics Rating: 2.5*/5*
A heart touching story and realistic performances make Killa a memorable film for Marathi audience. Killa, directed by Avinash Arun, won many international awards this year including the prestigious Crystal bear award by the Children’s jury at 64th Berlin Film Festival. This year it was also awarded with the Best Marathi Film award. Watching the film you realize it is a simple story that paints the complexities of daily life. A mother and son is the nucleus of the story that is set in the beautiful landscape of the Konkan region. The demise of the father sets the two on a new journey and all that they discover is painted beautifully on the celluloid.
The mother, played by Amruta Subhash and her son Chimney, played by Archit Dheodhar, relocates to a new place after the death of the father. The alienated feeling one has in such a situation and the turbulent times of adjusting to a new surrounding, home and office is portrayed beautifully. The eleven years old Chinmey tries to bond with his new group of friends. He steps out of his shell and befriends the kids he once felt insecure with. On the other hand, Amruta’s character struggles to find her foothold in a new work place. Her sense of alienation is far grave because she is now a single mother in an alien land.
Amruta Subhash has put up a marvelous performance in Killa playing a single mother to the T. Archit Dheodhar , after his role in the film Siddhant this year , once again brings out fresh shades for his character of an emotionally disturbed child. Other children Yuvraj, played by Gaurish Gawade, Omkar played by Atharva Upasni, Bandya played by Parth Bhalerao also deserve a round of applause for their adorable performances. Writer Tushar Paranjpe deserves the accolades he won for his work internationally. The intricacy of life from the point of view of eleven years old boy is beautifully incorporated in the script. Naren Chandavakar and Benedict Taylor’s music adds life to the story.
Parth Bhalerao who earlier acted in the Amitabh Bachchan film Bhootnath Returns wins critical appreciation once again as Chinmey’s friend Bandya. Avinash Arun impresses both as the director and as cinematographer.
If you prefer to watch substance over masala in films, Killa is not a film to be missed.
Critics Rating: 2.5*/5*
