Kabaddi Kabaddi - a proper sequel

Movie: Kabaddi Kabaddi

Director: Ram Babu Gurung

Photo Courtesy: www.facebook.com/cinemaartproduction

Starring: Dayahang Rai, Saugat Malla, Rishma Gurung, Buddhi Tamang, Bijay Baral, Aruna Karki, Shishir Bangdel, Pashupati Rai, Junu Bista and more.

In my eyes: *** point some (out of Five)

There has not really come a proper sequel of a Nepali movie before. Kabaddi Kabaddi is the one that holds the virtue of continued story. In this sequel of the blockbuster of last year, the charm and the core aesthetics of Kabaddi remains the same even though not being flawless.

Set in Naurikot, a village of Mustang, Kabaddi Kabaddi continues the one-sided love story of Kaji and Maiya. Bomkaji (Saugat Malla) enters the scene as the other solti to woo the soltini. This triangular love story has the backdrop of politics this time. Apart from this main line, there are two sub-courses of two friends of Kaji: B.K. and Chhantyal. Relating each sub-plot to each other and mixing them together with few twists and turns, the movie packs a punch.

One of the good things is that - with all the humor and comic elements, the sentiments and emotions projected at certain places remain strong in the movie. You get not only to laugh from the beginning to the end but also the emotions to feel. A complete package!

(Spoiler ahead, just in case)

The scene towards the end, where Maiya breaks out and Kaji leaves heart-broken is wonderfully carried out. The song ‘Maya ka Baadal’ on the background then is just right. The plot involving Chhantyal and his wife Gauri about not having a child is very well-crafted. Another one between B.K. and Nirjala (mistress of Maiya’s father Ambir) is comical and nice. There are plenty of other good proceedings that make you laugh out loud. There’s never a dull moment, literally.

Background score (Rohit Shakya) and cinematography (Shailendra D. Karki) are top-notch. The beauty of Mustang is much pleasing to eyes. Original soundtracks are good, Maya ka Baadal being a winner. Lappan Chhappan is nice too. Dialogues are great – witty and humorous.

Now, the movie has its share of drawbacks too. While some portions of script get thumbs up, some parts feel incomplete. There should have been some impactful interaction between Maiya’s parents; after all, the father has returned after many years and the mother has invited him into the house in such a way that it is one of the funniest and best moments of the movie. A little bit of more focus on that sub-plot would have been great.

Photo Courtesy: www.facebook.com/cinemaartproduction

It seems like Maiya has little less to do this time around. Though her character is the central one, it feels as if it is lacking some substance. The past of Bomkaji looks half-baked. Cameo of Nischal Basnet and Priyanka Karki is the main twist, but it doesn’t satisfy as it supposes to. (May be the space to watch out in next part if there is one?)

These might be the hiccups, but these things do not spoil the main point i.e. entertainment.

Director Rambabu Gurung has done a good job in making the movie highly enjoyable. Writers Upendra Subba and Rambabu Gurung (himself) should be given the credits for those some really good plots and for justifying the movie as the sequel. Also, they themselves are responsible for some flaws as well.

Performance is the big highlight, I must say. All actors have done their part goodly. Dayahang Rai as Kaji is awesome as always. Saugat Malla is good. Rishma Gurung is the perfect choice for Maiya, she is natural. Buddhi Tamang and Bijay Baral (Chhantyal and B.K. resp.) are wonderful, so is Pashupati Rai as Gauri. Aruna Karki and Shishir Bangdel as Maiya’s parents are equally good. Junu Bista, Kabita Ale, Puskar Gurung, Kamalmani Nepal compliment the movie with their decent performances. All other supporting actors fit the shoes with an ease.

All in all, Kabaddi Kabaddi is a good movie maintaining the humor as its USP while not compromising with the story and the performances. A delightful entertainer.

P.S. I enjoyed Kabaddi Kabaddi more than Kabaddi.

P.S. It is extremely amazing to see such crowd in cinema halls for a Nepali movie in the second weekend too. :D