Title – TIMEPASS, Producers – MH Krishnamurthy, Gundur Shekar, Kiran Kumar Shetty Direction – K. Chetan Jodidhar, Cinematography – Rajeev Ganeshan, Music – DK, Cast – Imran Pasha, Rathsharma, Om Sri Exhif, Chetan Jodidhar, Prabhakar Rao, Naveen Kumar, Ashwini, and others.
The debutant director, with a title like Timepass, has really given a good time to pass, especially in the second half. Although it is a bit difficult to pass time in the first half, the director’s vision and his hit-back style, even towards the media and the Kannada cinema industry, are understandable.
Like most directors who fail to give a kick in the first half, even this director follows the same procedure that has become worn out. Yet, the director makes up for it post-popcorn time and delivers a good atom bomb during the Deepavali festival time. He knows the trick of a good screenplay and keeps the audience guessing. Still, people in the industry are questioned with a purpose.
This is cinema inside cinema. Aspirant Shanker (Imran Pasha) comes out naked in a fit of anger from his house to fulfill his dream of becoming a director. His struggle on a slippery mountain of dreams is the interesting part of the film. With no backup and just three friends—Shamanna (Bank Sampath), Bag Piper Bala (Om Sri Exhif), and Egg Rice Manja (Rathsharma)—he finds a loser producer of seven films, Parameshwar (Prabhakar Rao). Even his girlfriend Aditi (Vaisiri Gowda) gives her gold pendant to help him make a film at the cost of four lakhs, in just one location, with three artists. The support of the cinematographer, Lens Lambodara (Chetan Jodidhar), comes in very useful for Shanker to meet his needs.
Shankar’s story is the interesting part, and the ending—to release the film—is an eye-opener, highlighting the problems many producers face, making for a convincing conclusion. Imran Pasha as Shankar is convincing throughout. His action, dialogue delivery, and looks are good. Vaisiri as Aditi has done a pretty good job. Egg Rice Manja, played by Rathsharma, is the surprise element of this film, and he has a good future ahead. Parameshwar, the loser producer played by Prabhakar Rao, gives some fine pieces of performance. Manager Iyengar (Naveen Mahabhaleshwar) has a funny portion, and his dialogues are precise to the occasion created by the director.
The two songs that come in the background give the right momentum to the film. The cinematographer’s shots—especially those with candlelight—are extremely good. Time Pass is a good time pass cinema, and people in the film industry should not miss it. Director Chetan Jodidhar is, no doubt, a promising director.