What Is the Story About?
Ekam brings stories of people from the Karavali, the coastal belt of Karnataka, of their bewilderment and identity crises across seven episodes: Flight, Void, Masquerade, Delusion, Legacy, Tradition and Identity. The show addresses many universal themes including birth, death, desire and superstition, while paying an ode to mother nature.
Analysis
Episode 1 – Flight
Directed by Sankar Gangadharan and Vivek Vinod, this simple, feel-good tale, set in the 90s, revolves around two lovestruck youngsters – Manjula and Thomas, neighbours who’re attracted to one another, who barely speak but communicate through letters. In more ways than one, it’s a coming-of-age story, where a woman outgrows her teenage innocence after a romantic encounter.
The episode unfolds in the backdrop of a bus stop in a sleepy hamlet and it’s refreshing to view a familiar tale from a female lens. It’s innocent, funny and reflective without being verbose. Brimming with rustic charm aesthetically, its lead actors Pallavi Kodagu and Shine Shetty too make their presence felt with minimal dialogue while establishing the local milieu.
Episode 2 – Void
In this segment, Sumanth Bhat explores the man versus wild relationship through an insider’s viewpoint – a primitive hunter in his 50s, Guruva. The life of the protagonist, once hailed for his hunting prowess and knowing the ways of the jungle, turns for the worse when a landlord hands over a gun to protect his area from wild boars.
The episode touches upon ecological balance with a karmic touch and deals with the aftermath of what misguided power could do to a man. While its slow-burn treatment and the visual drama could alienate a section of viewers, it powerfully captures the changing psyche of a man, who was once nature’s favourite child. Basuma Kodagu’s performance is indeed a revelation.
Episode 3 – Masquerade
A political satire centred on a Dubai returnee who returns to his home town while going through a troubled marriage, Sumanth Bhat’s tale is apt for the times we live in. Staged as a comedy, the episode exposes the moral fabric of a manipulative society with its caustic wit. Literally and metaphorically, the story is about a man digging his own pit.
Tapping into the aimlessness and naivety of a middle-aged man in a village, this ‘personalised’ political story summarises the socio-political scenario in the country using timely metaphors, uplifted by Raj B Shetty’s fluid portrayal of a rustic character (a terrific casting choice). It’s exactly what quality art is expected to do – hold up a mirror to society (without being woke).
Episode 4 – Delusion
In what’s one of the best episodes in the anthology in terms of its innovative treatment and its dramatic potential, Delusion is all about a teenage girl’s conflict with her roots. The segment is more or less a thematic extension of the first episode (flight), with the focus shifting to Khushi, daughter of Manjula (who once fell in love with Thomas).
While the story is about Khushi’s confusion about her birth, Sumanth Bhat does a fabulous job at representing her psyche visually through a village in the middle of a monsoon, a haunted tree, trains and bridges. Shyla Rao steals the show, while Arunima Minj and Revati Nadgir too deliver top-notch performances in this compelling short.
Episode 5 – Legacy
This unusually gripping story turns the spotlight on the changing power dynamics in the equation between a youngster and his maid, affected by ugly revelations in a newly launched biography of their beloved star. The episode is a cautionary take on idol worshipping, also focusing on the abuse of power in a man-woman relationship.
Yet again, Sumanth Bhat uses his surroundings – both nature and man-made- masterfully to elevate the tension between the characters. The brilliant culmination, referring to a yakshagana based on Indra-Ahalya’s infamous episode and the radio set, is a testimony to his filmmaking acumen. Watch out for Manasi Sudhir and Suhan Shetty’s assured performances.
Episode 6 – Tradition
Going by its face value, Ekam’s penultimate episode tackles honour as a theme but it is still another companion piece on abuse of power, limiting its scope to a family. An unwilling protagonist has to pay a heavy price to safeguard his uncle’s honour. Common sense refuses to prevail as the family pressurises him to prove his loyalty to a patriarch, who’d once guarded their honour.
Despite its ‘bonkers’ premise, it’s perplexing how Sanal Aman and Swaroop Elamon convincingly draw you into a world with a pre-medieval sensibility. Ujwal U V in a character caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, is superb while Prakash Raj reasserts his worth in a complex role, ably supported by Shreya Acharya, KG Krishnamurthy and others.
Episode 7 – Identity
The final episode in the anthology takes unexpected turns through the story of Sreedhara, an ageing writer who confronts his inner demons, when a surprise visitor, Devadattan, turns up at his residence. The guest transports him to a different timeline – reminding him of a playful childhood, his love for his mother, folk traditions and an embarrassing episode in his adult life.
Swaroop Elamon and Sanal Aman’s film leaves a solid impact, raising its stakes gradually and enhancing its drama using innovative storytelling devices. Though an abstract, complex idea on paper, the director-duo deserves credit for translating it into an accessible form cinematically. Babu Annur and Sanal Aman are at their competitive best with their affecting portrayals.
Highlights?
Innovative writing, treatment
Solid performances
Breathtaking cinematography
Drawbacks?
Gets too abstract at times
A few ideas are more outlandish than pathbreaking
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Primarily to those with a love for alternative cinema
Ekam Series Review by Binged Bureau