Yahoo

S N DEEPAK

Kannada: (Majestic)
Cast: Dattatreya, Saurav, Neetha, Bhanuprakash, Jayaramshetty, Madhu, Suresh Sharma, Dhruva Sharma, Srividya
Director: Seetharam Karanth

The concept of ghosts is as old as hills and trees. Every one has his or her own beliefs about the existence of ghosts making it a ‘believe it or not’ issue.
After Smile, Seetharam Karanth is back with Yahoo, said to be based on real life incidents at a house in Haladi, a village in a coastal district. The house, belonging to Raghavendra Maiyya in which the film has been shot, is more than 800 years old and has sustained its suspense even today, the director claims.

The story revolves around a group of friends who go to Haladi to prepare a research article on ghosts. Suspense and horror are the mainstay of the film which sustains interest till they escape from that house.

The first half has two small stories based on the existence of ghosts. Later, the director introduces the lead characters to ghosts.

From then on the story picks up the tempo and continues in lengthy scenes which sustain interest. Dattatreya, as Haladi Nagappa’s ghost who comes in the post-interval part, has effectively portrayed his role as a mouthpiece of the concepts, myths and truths surrounding the existence of ghosts. His performance in a scene where he introduces his dead family members before saying that he died ten years back is worth watching. Saurav has put in good effort. Dhruva Sharma, though cast in a small role displays his talent.Besides, the journey scenes to Haladi, the boat episode, the introduction scene of the age old house and the night scenes in which the lead characters try to escape from the place are good.
Makarand Joshi’s cinematography adds colour to the film. The outdoor shooting is worth watching while the indoor shooting create suspense and horror.

The use of background music is good but sometimes it is rash. The dialogues are worth a mention. Editing is okay.

Two songs, composed by M N Kripakar are good. The use of Havyaka Kannada and Tale Maddale in a scene are notable. The director has taken care neither to justify the existence of ghosts nor their absence.

He has left to the audience to decide. Five films released so far (Sagari, Kanakambari, Bidalare, Aptha Mithra and now Yahoo) have stories related to ghosts. But among all these, surely, the ghost in this film, is intelligent.