Patang Review: Light And Likeable Watch

BOTTOM LINE
Light And Likeable Watch

RATING
2.5/5

CENSOR
U/A, 2h 42m

What Is the Film About?

Whisky (Vamsi Pujit), and Arun (Pranav Kaushik) bond over kites as children, and this bond continues into their adulthood. They are the thickest of friends and have a gang of their own.

What happens when a girl, Aishwarya (Preethi Pagadala), enters their lives? How does she change the friends’ dynamic? The movie’s basic story is about events that lead to the two friends turning against each other and ending up playing a game of kites against one another.

Performances

First things first, the casting of the movie is right. The person essaying each character looks apt for the role, and it can’t be clearer with the choice of the three principal lead roles done by Whisky, Arun and Aishwarya.

Vamsi Pujit as Whisky is the rough and tough guy from the streets with rugged looks and mannerisms. The actor slips into the role easily and carries the mass body language necessary for it neatly. He is also fine in the few emotional scenes he gets.

The same is true for Arun (Pranav) as far as looking the part is concerned. He is the opposite of Whisky and just a look at him is enough to convey the same. It shows how well the casting is done. The actor is also decent in the emotional beats that come his way during the narrative.

Preethi Pagadala too follows the same path as Whisky and Arun. She plays a confused girl part and looks like it. However, the writing too following the same path doesn’t help her cause. It’s a basic level characterization and she is okay. The looks and charm does the work, though, which is enough for the film.

All three debutants, in short, are good casting choices and half the job is done by their looks and body language itself. This results in them managing to register and that’s a win for now.

Analysis

Praneeth Prattipati writes and directs Patang. It’s his debut and for that Praneeth has picked a simple love triangle tale, and sets it in a unique background involving kites.

The beginning of the movie establishing the world has highly predictable stuff. Still, it manages to engage due to the smooth narrative that doesn’t show any lag despite the predictability on offer. The same trend can be seen for the rest of the narrative as well.

The real story and interest related to Patang begins only with the heroine’s introduction. The fun and drama is neatly blended into the proceedings which were previously not present.

The simplicity of the whole thing along with the music usage works for the narrative. The songs too are used as dialogue extensions beautifully.

The story, however, remains predictable, and one knows where things are headed. The small moments are what keeps one hooked. The first interaction between the trio, for example, where awkward looks are exchanged between Arun and Aishwarya are the moments that work.

These small moments slowly leads to the predictable interval. Still, the characters make us look forward to their tale to see what happens next.

Post interval the expected happens, but the turn it takes towards the kites competition doesn’t feel like it’s coming organically. It is due to the heroine’s poorly written part until that point. The choice she makes at that point feels forced.

During the sequences that happen between Arun and Aishwarya, it doesn’t look like Aishwarya is confused. She clearly looks to be making a choice and also forcing Arun to make one. So, when she takes the decision she takes and when it brings a game into the equation it all doesn’t sit well narrative wise.

Having said that, once the narrative completely moves to the sports side, one slowly warms up to it. The characters and underdog element related to Arun and his gang holds the attention despite a clear visible shift in tone.

The pre climax and climax entirely runs as a sports drama with the preparation and all stuff related to the kites sport. The ‘love’ feels like a side track. In fact, one may have forgotten it if not for the heroine’s track that cuts the narrative in between.

Which brings us to the actual sport related to the kites. It is done well. The setting, the commentary and the pitting of members from two sides blending fun is done well. There is an air of freshness and that’s where Patang succeeds, mostly.

The ending after all things said and done is okay. The friendship angle remains the mainstay. There is a satisfactory feeling, which is a win for the first timers.

Overall, Patang has a routine story, and takes a contrived turn to reach where it wants. But, the small moments and the fun and fresh setting make it work. It doesn’t sour sky-high, but flies enough to hold attention.

Performances by Others Actors

Apart from the three major characters, we have Gautam Vasudev Menon in an extended supporting part. He is fine in his typical style playing himself . The gang members of Arun shine in the narrative whereas the opposite don’t manage to do the same.

Music and Other Departments?

Jose Jimmy’s music and background score are a major asset to the proceedings. The way it’s integrated into the narrative as part of it is one of the highlights of the movie, undoubtedly. The cinematography is fine, but given the setting maybe it could have been better as the movie gives a student film feel. The editing is fine. There is a neat flow without any lag even though the story runs on predictable lines. The writing is decent.

Highlights?

Casting

Music And BGM

Feel Good Factor

Subtle Emotions

Drawbacks?

Gets Predictable In Stretches

Regular Story

Heroine’s Weak Characterisation

Did I Enjoy It?

Yeah, I liked it. It had its flaws, but you could really see the sincere effort from a new team.

Will You Recommend It?

Yes, if you’re someone who engages with honest efforts, even if they’re not perfect.

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