Sagara Sangamam (1983) :
Brief Review -
A high-end mix-up of multiple Indian Expressionism hurt by inaccurate Melodrama but still a Must Watch for Kamal Haasan's Astonishing Skills. Dance films in Indian Cinema haven't got that much exploration and variations as per the numerous forms available nationwide. I remember watching few known films from old days and V. Shantaram's National Award Winner 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje' (1955) is the only one that has stayed in my memory. That film was highly conceptualized for its time and yet broke the mainstream myths through art form. Sagara Sangamam is way more dramatic and conflicting than that but it definitely lacks the accuracy. Maybe this same film in 50s or 60s would have looked accurate but those cliches looked dated for 80s filmmaking. It's not like that it fails in every step of the narrative build-up, there are one or two big loopes that needed more clarity and it would have all fine. The film is about classical dancer, Balakrishna and his struggle to find professional success and love in life. His sacrifice makes others happy but he is personally drown way down to live happy life and then after years he is eventually redeemed. There are too many elements in the film to handle for one narrative. It might be the major reason why it didn't find accuracy while managing so many conflicts to make the climax look more impactful. The major problem for me was, the struggle of Balu should have been shown in brutal way in those years before the narrative takes a leap. That sudden realisation of his mistakes and responsive behaviour could have been elaborated in better ways. But like i said, for 80s it was okay, not completely but somehow. Kamal Hassan's performance and dance skills are enough to call it a Must See. Even though the film struggles to find the meaning of Indian expressionism in the Middle portion, at the end it survives due to the same. Overall, very good but could have been Great.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
A high-end mix-up of multiple Indian Expressionism hurt by inaccurate Melodrama but still a Must Watch for Kamal Haasan's Astonishing Skills. Dance films in Indian Cinema haven't got that much exploration and variations as per the numerous forms available nationwide. I remember watching few known films from old days and V. Shantaram's National Award Winner 'Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje' (1955) is the only one that has stayed in my memory. That film was highly conceptualized for its time and yet broke the mainstream myths through art form. Sagara Sangamam is way more dramatic and conflicting than that but it definitely lacks the accuracy. Maybe this same film in 50s or 60s would have looked accurate but those cliches looked dated for 80s filmmaking. It's not like that it fails in every step of the narrative build-up, there are one or two big loopes that needed more clarity and it would have all fine. The film is about classical dancer, Balakrishna and his struggle to find professional success and love in life. His sacrifice makes others happy but he is personally drown way down to live happy life and then after years he is eventually redeemed. There are too many elements in the film to handle for one narrative. It might be the major reason why it didn't find accuracy while managing so many conflicts to make the climax look more impactful. The major problem for me was, the struggle of Balu should have been shown in brutal way in those years before the narrative takes a leap. That sudden realisation of his mistakes and responsive behaviour could have been elaborated in better ways. But like i said, for 80s it was okay, not completely but somehow. Kamal Hassan's performance and dance skills are enough to call it a Must See. Even though the film struggles to find the meaning of Indian expressionism in the Middle portion, at the end it survives due to the same. Overall, very good but could have been Great.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.