A Nagamese movie review on 'Destiny'
Review by: Philatim Jagoi
The last time I watched a Nagamese movie, I cringed so much it give me a bodyache! Since then, it’s been years I haven’t watched one. So it was obvious that before watching this movie I brace myself to cringe from beginning to end again; and undeniably, be embarrassed, and satiric. The reason? the numerous flops of the past monotonous Nagamese movies I watched turned out to be more like parodies than actual movies itself.
“Destiny” however took me by surprise. I was actually amazed by the significant change in the acting. “Destiny” has, in my opinion, taken a positive step towards improving the Nagamese film-making trend. There is an evident transition from the usual hero-villain action movies that Nagamese films were obsessed with for so long. The quality of the movie in terms of visual editing and proper angle shots is pretty good which is a nice surprise. The subtitles are also translated clearly and is readable which to me is another plus point. Overall, I’d say this movie is a decent effort for further improvement in the movie industry of Nagaland.
Akash Atae Konyak, a veteran Nagamese actor is both the Director and Producer of the movie. He also plays the leading actor James alongside his counterpart Shurhosenuo Yano who plays Marah. Jonah Ezung, Jasper, and Imrong Jamir are some of the other characters in the movie. James and Marah’s “encounter” is a sudden and complicated love story in which destiny plays an important role. Marah’s obligated marriage to her possessive alcoholic husband Andrew, and James’ uninterest in his immature fussy girlfriend Eli brings the two together. Aunt Martha, who assumes the role of a godmother figure to Marah helps her in many different ways. The two lovebirds’ supposed trip to Goa is twisted by destiny again which takes a completely different and unexpected turn in the plot of the movie. The movie plot is also a major shift from the normal “hero-kills-villain-to-save-his-love” type of story line previously existing in Nagamese movies.
The actors in the movie, especially Marah, did an incredible job and stole the show. Considering this is her debut movie, her performance in the soft-spoken character she plays shows she has the potential of becoming a good actor. The delivery of dialogues among the characters were more real and doesn’t seem as stuck up or as forced as those in the past films which always seemed constipated. There is also more use of expressions and intonation. The soft music in the background is pleasing to the ears in keeping in sync with the scenes.
Although there is no denying with the fact that there are a few flaws in the scenes too. For instance, James stepping out of an A/C car drenched in sweat is weird. Also, the characters staying at home all dressed and made up is somehow unrealistic. Marah doing nothing the whole day as a married lady, accept for gardening is also a little surprising. In one scene, James goes to the airport with a large briefcase which made me wonder if a trolley would have been a better option in today’s age.
Nevertheless, keeping all these errors aside in the “room for improvement”, I would certainly call it a breakthrough movie of the Nagamese cinema and although I am one stingy critic, I rate it a generous 6/10 keeping many excusable aspects in mind, totally unbiased. For instance, the simple fact that the Nagamese film industry unlike the Manipuri or Assamese film industry for examplein NE, is not a proper functioning or successful industry yet. It needs a leap of faith for a movie like “Destiny” coming from a single producer, director and actor to make this kind of difference, and it deserves some appreciation. There are many of our people who are interested in acting and movies, and given a chance, it is definitely seen Nagamese films as another platform for the unemployed Naga youths with acting skills getting an opportunity to live their dreams. The rising of Naga Hillywood celebrities is one milestone achievement. And I would love to see happening in our land in the near future.
Finally, if you ask me why you should go grab a copy? I’d say you won’t feel like it wasn’t worth your money or your free time. At least I didn’t. That’s all.
“Destiny” which was scheduled to premiere on 3rd February could not be released due to various circumstances in the state and is now available in cassette stores in Nagaland.
