2’s a company, 3’s a crowd

Two is a company, three becomes a crowd: My quick take on Kannada comedy ‘Ikkat’ (Amazon)

A laugh riot, a clean comedy about the funny side of ‘lockdown diaries’. We all have heard/read/experienced many stories about the human ordeals during this tough phase of social distancing, while most of them would be gut-wrenching sad stories (remember Malayalam movie CU soon), for a change the Kannada movie makers have come out with a classy comedy which looks very original plot to me.

Despite being a Kannadiga, I have very poor knowledge about Kannada movies, reason, in Dubai, we have very limited access to Kannada movies. The last Kannada movie I have watched was an out-and-out action-packed masala movie ‘Roberrt’ which was made for frontbenchers. I never knew the industry was hiding such talented writer/director duo Ehsaan and Haseen khan, take a bow guys for making such a wonderful comedy. I am seeing a Salim Javed-type Jodi being formed in Kannada movie circles.

The plot is about an ‘odd’ couple who are at loggerheads and who are on the brink of calling off their marriage. Unfortunately, or should I say fortunately PM Modi announces the first nationwide lockdown for 21 days and the couple is forced to stay together for 21 days. Situational comedy becomes funny when some unexpected guests enter their lives.

Talented Nagbhushana and Bhoomika Shetty play the odd couple, while RJ Viky plays a Dudebro a tick-tock star and fan of tick-tock queen (Bhoomika) he stealthily enters the apartment while a distant uncle Karna played by Sunder also barges into the apartment uninvited. The confusion and commotion caused by the crowding are fun to watch.

I loved the writing, you get a feeling of watching a classic comedy-drama in the theater. The dialogs are damn witty and the performers are too good. With just 4 characters in action, the director has managed to keep the audience intrigued by his deft handling. The entire movie is shot in a 2BHk apartment but the cameraman was so skillful that at no point he made his frame look claustrophobic. Director has very cleverly made use of a spider 🕷️ in the movie, it's a trigger that separates the couple and also a trigger to bind them together. Maybe it's a metaphor to covid virus which may seem to separate us but in real terms it has brought us more close to each other.isn't it?

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this comedy. Also felt proud that the Kannada industry also can produce good comedies and compete Malayali comedies. It is also heartening to see that the human spirit will not be dampened by the Covid pandemic, he can become more creative and look at the brighter and funnier side of life.

Watch it.