Karnataka

Exploitation of youth from slums

Vijay and Shubha Punja in Slum Bala

Film: Slum Bala (Kannada)

Director: D. Sumana Kittur

Cast: Vijay, B. Suresh, Shashikumar, Dharma, Shubha Punja, Umasri and Giraja Lokesh

Developed on a subplot of Agni Sridhar’s Dadagiriya Aa Dinagalu, Slum Bala attempts to provide an insightful account of the nexus between politicians and the police, and the exploitation of slum youths who indulge in murky activities for “big” people’s political and business gains.

The film explores the ruthless faces of politics, deceptive games of the police, strength and weaknesses of the underworld.

It also attempts to trace the emotional pangs and the attitude of underworld dons towards life. An observation made by a “double standard” police official Shanth Kumar (Shashikumar) to the effect that “politics and underworld make people change themselves instantly” holds the key to the narrative.

Intelligent screenplay and incisive dialogues punctuated with ironies and humour by Agni Sridhar stand out. On the other hand, a realistic and lucid narrative mode helps the director Sumana Kittor in capturing the emotional and political realities of complex human relationships. References to what is said to be some true-to-life incidents and comments on them give credence to the theme.

However, it is Sumana’s ability to juxtapose scenes and under play violence besides controlled handling of high voltage emotions, politically sensitive and subtle situations and the innate tragic undertone of the plot help the film transcend the routine crime oriented ones.

The plot is all about the tragic and debatable growth and the fall of a ruthless rowdy-sheeter Slum Bala (Vijay), and his trusted and devoted relationship with Shanth Kumar and an ambitious politician Naik (Suresh), who is a close friend of the police officer and is keen on winning the elections.

Vijay, Suresh, Shashikumar and others live their roles.

K.N. Venkatasubba Rao

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