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~by Gasper Crasto...30.05.2016

It’s a Konkani film with a Bollywood touch  –  hypnotizing scenes, witty dialogues, gripping story, mixture of emotions and comedy, foot-tapping music & choreography, dhishoooooom like Dabangg style and even an ‘item’ number to spice it up. 

Top it all – a clarity like never seen before in a Konkani film.

The screening of Mangalorean-made Konkani movie ‘Ek Aslyar Ek Na’ at the American International School Auditorium, Maidan Hawally on 27th May 2016 was an entertaining evening.

Here's a Konkani film that has humor, emotions & the pace, one that was desired from a Konkani film - a fun-filled tale, and many relishable moments.

The screenplay is the first thing one would be attracted to the film. Lot of twists and turns which are not expected. Really exciting!

‘Ek Aslyar Ek Na’ surely offers something more interesting than the jaded Hindi movies released every week. Konkani audience is bound to stay glued to the screen and enjoy the movie thoroughly.

It is the script, dialogues and on screen treatment that makes the movie so over the top. What unfolds is a classic entertainer - overflowing with melodrama and emotional grandeur.

The intimate scenes between the leading stars (hero Pradeep Barboza & heroine Priya Menezes) deserve a mention while the groundwork gone into the story-writing, dialogues, direction, and especially into editing calls for a lot of admiration – the movie is a blockbuster.

TRUE HEROES OF THE FILM

True heroes of the film should be veteran Mangalorean filmmaker Frank Fernandes (do not mistake him for Frank Fernand - Goa’s legendary producer of ‘Amchem Noxib’ and ‘Nirmonn’ films), and the film’s writer Pradeep Barboza.

Pradeep Barbosa, who is also the director and lead star, has really worked hard on the script and it shows in every scene of the film which is brilliantly conceived. Kudos to him for writing the cutest love story which is thrilling and touching all at the same time.

On the technicalities, the background scenes, camera work and attractive editing elevate the film to a great level. The photography in every scene exhibits the brilliance of the cameraman.

SO WHAT IS GOOD ABOUT THE FILM? 

The sheer brilliance of the stunts, the immaculate fight choreography edits and blending of the emotions and comedy in the story is simply awesome.

The movie is perfectly entwined (vinnlea) like a decorative net around a bouquet of flowers.

There are scenes that are genuinely funny – that will make the audience laugh, while the others are so weird that you will giggle anyway in utter amusement. Either way there is never a dull moment.

Add to this, farm-fresh ingredients in the form of impressive performances by all characters especially Pradeep Barboza & Priya, the girl’s father (Claude D Leema) and uncle (Rons London); the comedian as the hotel owner (Melwyn D Almeida) & his wife (Lavina Fernandes), the villain-hero (Alphons D'Souza), the boy's father (Jerald Moras) and the priest (Joseph Mathias).

Everyone has put on a great show especially Pradeep Barboza, Claude D’Leema and Melwyn D Almeida whose acting is highly natural and the screen presence wonderful.

Famous Kuwait-based Mangalorean talent Lucy Aranha received a thunderous uproar from the audience when she first came on; her screen appearance in the movie is fabulously portrayed.

Well-known Goan comedian John D’Silva never disappoints, he makes a delightful difference in the dialects of the movie.

Clarity of the film is crystal clear; perhaps the credit for Kuwait’s LED screening goes to Goan event organizer Mario Fernandes.

Beyond the screen, one spectacle, that was conspicuous and caught everyone’s hearts, was the statue of Our Lady kept on stage with two lighted candles either side instead of the usual traditional lamp. Goan organizers should take a leaf out of that!

WHAT MIGHT YOU DISLIKE ABOUT THE FILM? 

Please refrain from expecting anything on the lines of Konkani or Mangalorean ‘culture’? It’s an out and out masala film however refreshingly crisp.

The title song has beautiful lyrics; all songs are set to nice beats & rhythm. However, the music may not really identify with the legacy of Konkani traditional music left by legendary Mangalorean great Wilfy Remimbus.

Barring the song ‘Git Tum’, the music seems to be inspired by Hindi, Kannada and even Bhangra music. But then, it is an entertainer and stimulates us to accept the diversity, culture and habits across the border and love them.

Kuwait audience expected a lot more of John D’Silva and Lucy Aranha than just the cameo roles.

It is important to have English subtitles for the movie especially for the ease of Goans, ‘overseas-grown Konkan kids’ and the international audience.

The water mark reading ‘CENSOR COPY’ should never be displayed for commercial screenings. Also, the stone-age digital time-runner is not required to be lapping on the screen at all.

‘EK ASLYAR EK NA’ MESSAGE

If we have one thing in life, we do not have another! Life may never be complete. But if we wish to follow our dreams, we have to accept all the alternatives.

Konkani films are few and far between, and are known to be technically backward as compared to other language films. Irrespective of the views, 'Ek Aslyar Ek Na', apparently shot in just 30 days, will remain one of the top-rated films in Konkani film history.

The movie could create waves even if dubbed in other languages.

Congratulations to the entire crew of ‘Ek Aslyar Ek Na’, it’s a well-made entertainer that is not to be missed by Mangaloreans, Goans or anyone in the Konkan world!

Also read: 
Blast from the Past: Nachom-ia Kumpasar Mesmerizes Kuwait