Pisasu -  Haunting of a different kind

Bharath Vijayakumar

You watch how a particular shot unfolds and the angle at which it is shot, accompanied by a soul stirring score and you know it is a Mysskin film. We are speaking about a single scene and not a film as a whole. Such film-makers with their stamp written all over the screen are very few. And when he makes a film titled Pisasu you can be rest assured that it is not going to be a regular horror flick that is bound to solely scare you.

A Novel Experience:

The opening shot that focuses on Prayaga’s face that depicts bliss and then zooms away showcasing the enormity of the situation sucks you in and you remain that way till the intermission. The humour that is packed in throughout the film is pleasantly enjoyable. Pisasu is packed with scenes that make you alternate between the extremes of emotions. You are scared a moment, laugh the next and have moist eyes a few seconds later. Myskkin along with his cameraman, musician and actors provides this novel experience. The stretch that involves the lady who is brought in to suppress the spirit is one of the best you have witnessed in recent times. The lone action sequence in the subway is done brilliantly. You literally feel the punches.

Dialogues that score:

The dialogues are simple, relatable and yet powerful. Very early in the film a doctor informs Naga that the patient is dead. He then turns to the nurse and pointing at the recent corpse instructs her ‘idha ulla thalli vei’. You notice how nonchalantly ‘idha’ is uttered and you feel a sense of anguish realizing the unpredictability and temporariness of the worldly life. There are a few sweet characters in the film. The way these characters refer to the ladies in the film as ‘Mahesh Amma’ and ‘Siddharth Amma’ and you realize how attached and close they feel for their neighbors. Such small detailing in simple dialogues and references makes Pisasu all the more endearing.

Brilliant casting:

Prayaga hardly appears as herself in a couple of shots.Her blemishless face goes beyond mere beauty and showcases the innocence of her soul. You see here in the initial scene and yet she remains with you throughout the film. Such an apt choice by Mysskin. 

Bottomline:

Pisasu once again has Mysskin at his best in narrating a story. It is vastly different from his previous films and yet has his trademark style of film-making throughout. Pisasu is haunting of a different kind that takes you along a bundle of emotions.

Rating:3.5/5