Movie Review: ‘Gantumoote’ is a film that often happen in our society
Gantumoote, a rare gem in Kannada cinema, has finally had a theatrical release after being screened at diaspora film festivals like the New York Indian Film Festival, where it won the award for the Best Screenplay, and Melbourne Indian Film Festival.
‘Coming-of-age’ is a genre that is rarely attempted in Sandalwood. Gantumoote justifies this genre to an extent that it reminds you of those moments that you may have had or witnessed during your own school days. It gives the feel of revisiting those wonder years. Director Roopa Rao succeeds in capturing the most necessary moments and making this film an engaging watch.
Gantumoote is a movie about a girl named Meera. Meera is a girl from the small city who goes to school in the big city. This film is taken from the first person angle, Meera who tells about her and her love. Meera is a smart girl and also beautiful, many men love her but she falls in love with her classmate, Madhu.
Issues In Gantumoote Movie
The issues in this film are academic pressure from parents and teachers, romance, sexual harassment and bullying. All the issues are interesting, but for me the issue about the romance between Meera and Madhu is interesting. Their love story that often happens in our society, student who fall in love with each other, student who skip school and student who kiss their couples, in fact it is not justified it is totally wrong, but very often happens in our society.
Madhu is a man who overly adheres to his desire for Meera, in every place there is a chance he will kissed with Meera. Madhu is an uncontrollable or irresponsible man when Meera is called a “Slut”. At the end of this movie, Madhu who dies due to suicide, it can be he could not stand the pressure of his family.
Meera’s Character represent girls in real life struggles
When Meera called “Slut” or “Dagar” by her male friend, Meera was indifferent to the insult, and the man gradually stopped referring to Meera as “Dagar”. And this is a moment of victory that most women can feel. Actually referred to as most women will be angry, but with us being angry, we make the person happiest because we respond to the insult.
Does this movie portray Patriarchy?
Yes, of course. In this movie there is portray patriarchy that is almost the same as Indonesia. When Madhu groped Meera’s body during the cinema, and it spread to her male friend and Meera was called as “Dagar” and Madhu simply did nothing to defend Meera, even though the act was on the will of both of them, but Madhu took responsibility and did not defend Meera, and Meera who bore the insult. Another patriarchy in Indonesia with different cases is from our family like girls have to clean the house, girls must be able to cook, boy’s shouldn’t cry, boy’s don’t be weak, etc.
Meera is a girl who from childhood already likes to watch movies in theaters. I don’t think movies have a big impact and also have small impact for me, movies are just entertainment for me especially when watching alone like little Meera. I can express my feelings more when I watch movies, because no one knows me. However, sometimes I also imagine if I become the person in the film.
Despite that all, this movie is entertaining and deserves to watch because it brings a freshness to Bollywood movies with different storylines with other movies. A well-described love story. Salute the writer and director Roopa Rao, because this movie is very related to the life in our environment.
