Kathmandu

A film that revolves around relationships, Gaantho tells the story of a quiet young painter Samrat (Nazir Hussain), painting seller Bishnu (Abhay Baral ), and a research student Simran (Namrata Shrestha).

When Simran sees an abstract painting in an art gallery, she loves it and requests Bishnu to let her meet the painter. Initially Bishnu avoids her request, he introduces Simran to Samrat later on.

After many days of hard work, Simran gets Samrat’s story. Looking at his behaviour and story, Simran sees that he suffers from social phobia.

Then Simran finds out that Samrat has been lying about his upbringing and parents. She learns that he has a bipolar disorder. Samrat also knows that Simran has come to know about his past.

It all remains to be seen whether Simran will reveal the whole story to Bishnu or whether Samrat will prevent Simran from disclosing his lies.

As the writer, Suraj Bhusal has presented a fresh new story. In fact, the movie is made for a target audience — youth and so-called intellectual group. But he has failed to unravel all the binding ropes of Gaantho. It ends with so many questions unanswered raised in the film.

As the director, Bhusal has managed to keep the suspense till the end. But he narrates the story from one side only. When Samrat meets his past life in the village, Bhusal could have used other characters’ points of view to show why it happened. But Bhusal narrates the story only from Samrat’s angle.

The first-half develops slowly, and the director engages his audience with gags, light jokes and some thrills. The second-half unfolds the suspense with more thrills, and one will be able to guess ‘stuff’ at the end.

Bhusal has wasted the chance to capture Samrat’s facial expressions to a large extent.

In the scene when Simran confronts Samrat for his lies, the director takes long shots making it another normal scene.

There is no doubt that Hussain is one of the best young actors around today, but he has forgotten that he is acting in a feature film here, not on stage. His dialogue delivery reminds of theatre.

In a way he fails to deliver audience’s expectations. Having said that, he has given mind blowing expressions in some scenes. His killing expression to stop Simran and his satisfaction after taking revenge are awesome.

Debutant Shrestha has done a decent job, while Baral is natural.

Cinematographer Narendra Mainali’s panoramic shot is the film’s USP. The film is pleasing to the eye and nature looks enticing.

The title track Gaantho and Udera Jane Janchhan Udi, compositions of Anupam Sharma, are unique and appealing.