‘Tiger’s Pond’ Review: A Restrained Indian Political Drama Set on the Edge of Spirituality

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In Natesh Hegde’s “Tiger’s Pond,” a picturesque south Indian village hides dark political secrets. Although the movie’s scenes are beautifully crafted, the plot itself seems loosely connected, leading to its unraveling. The film’s atmosphere might be appealing or eerie at times, but its subtle approach fails to convey the raw emotion needed, making the story feel too sanitized. It should have a more intense and gritty feel to reflect the horrific – the brutal physical and emotional violence – hidden beneath the village’s seemingly peaceful facade.

Achyut Kumar portrays Prabhu, a ruthless entrepreneur from a small town who seeks political office with assistance from his trusted enforcer, Malabari (Dileesh Pothan). However, they are unaware that their professional and private lives have been intertwined for a long time. Trouble brews as Prabhu’s younger brother Venkati (Natesh) intends to marry Malabari’s sister Devaki (Bindu Raxidi), but the caste differences between their families may eventually cause tension.

The imminent personal crisis that remains fragmented among multiple interwoven storylines is a key aspect of the movie “Tiger’s Pond.” In this film, Sumitra, a mute maid who assists Prabhu and Venkati in raising their livestock, is the main character. When Pathi becomes pregnant following an assault, Prabhu tries to hide the truth to avoid it disrupting his political ambitions. However, his efforts are complicated by Basu, a politically-minded laborer who emerges as a rival candidate, portrayed by Gopal Hedge, whose likeness and emotional depth bear a striking resemblance to Harry Dean Stanton.

The interwoven issues of class, caste, and gender serve as a backdrop for the film “Tiger’s Pond,” but it is Hegde’s unique visual and stylistic approach that truly reveals its underlying politics. Collaborating with cinematographer Vikas Urs and co-editor Paresh Kamdar, Hegde paints the rural setting of “Tiger’s Pond” as a place bordering on the spiritual. The film’s warm 16mm tones and textures evoke the atmosphere of an Indian independent or experimental regional film from the 1980s. This style of filmmaking is reminiscent of a type of acting that is rarely seen in contemporary Indian cinema – a blend of neorealism and melodrama, where measured naturalism is combined with energetic expressions and gestures during dramatic moments.

As Hegde and Kamdar operate the camera, they carefully maintain the shot duration, adding an air of spiritual enigma whenever the frame captures a human face or a religious artifact. The longer Prabhu contemplates his plans while in temples or near rivers, the more his political ambitions seem to transform into a dharma, or divine duty, rather than just a hidden motive concealed behind a religious front.

The unique blend of politics and religion in modern India’s right-wing fascism is directly addressed by Hegde’s concept, making it both courageously bold and subtly original. The film’s vintage aesthetic is used to depict a contemporary crime story, a genre often associated with directors like Ram Gopal Verma or Anurag Kashyap (with the latter later joining as a producer for “Tiger’s Pond”). This seems to suggest that these societal issues have been ingrained in our culture for quite some time, well before they were captured by Kashyap’s camera lens.

Instead of being deeply rooted in the movie’s plot, these broad themes tend to overshadow the emotional depth. Although they are clear, they lack a relatable character to grasp onto. It takes approximately one third of the film for the main idea to fully develop, making it challenging to connect with any character or understand their relationships during this time. Once the premise is established, major characters, particularly Pathi who seems most intriguing, start to fade away without delving deeper into their personal lives. Even intense, violent moments are hinted at rather than shown directly.

While “Tiger Pond” may lead you to feel somewhat lost initially due to its unconventional nature, it’s not impossible to find your way through. Though the movie subtly suggests hidden details through its visuals, it ultimately clarifies these mysteries in clear dialogue later on. However, a more seamless connection between what is shown and the interpretation of its significance would have undoubtedly created a more impactful and immersive dramatic experience.

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2025-02-17 22:16