But for some good performance, 'KTM' is just another version of a romantic tale that calls for ‘Rise in Love’.
Dheekshith Shetty and Sanjana Doss in 'KTM'. (Supplied)
Romantic tales usually have only two outcomes — a happy ending or ending up being heartbroken!
Every other romantic drama can only exist between the above-mentioned fixed templates. It is only a brilliant filmmaker whose unique way of presenting a love story makes all the difference.
Many may wonder if KTM has anything to do with the popular branded bikes, but it is simply an acronym for the three main characters in the film — Karthik, Tanya, and Mercy.
Well, the cinematic KTM is another typical love story with some newness attached to it.
But what stands out in the movie is the brilliant performances of Dheekshith Shetty as Karthik and Sanjana Doss as Mercy, with an equally notable act by Kaajal Kunder as Tanya.
Another triangular love story or what? Let’s ride the KTM…
A still from Aruna’s directorial ‘KTM’. (Supplied)
KTM starts with Karthik, a pre-university student, living with his parents in Udupi. He has a huge crush (love) on Tanya.
Following some funny titbits involving his two best friends from the PU college, Tanya breaks his innocent heart by calling him his little brother!
Saddened by it, Karthik lands in Bengaluru for his graduation, where the serious plot thickens.
He is brilliant and is the favourite amongst girls. Here, he is the crush of countless girls, but Karthik falls for Mercy, who is least interested in him.
Here, too, he has two best friends — Tukali and Chiru.
Now enters lecturer Dheeraj, a university topper from the same college in the past. He is filthy rich but has a passion for teaching. He falls for Mercy, too.
By now, the love story gets elongated like chewing gum.
Finally, Mercy chooses Karthik. Meanwhile, Chiru commits suicide, and Karthik goes into a kind of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Arjun Reddy zone, especially the drunkard and violent part.
What follows next is what the movie is all about.
A poster of ‘KTM’. (X)
Apart from all the hurdles in a love story and the circumstantial challenges, the filmmaker rides ‘KTM’ with a lesson to preach that one should “rise in love”!
Well, the message is that when someone loses their loved ones or faces failure, it is not to be considered a dead end, but it is the start of a new beginning.
Before the preaching comes, the tale is bombarded with heavy ‘intoxication’. In almost 99.99 per cent of sad love stories, at least in Indian cinema, it is mandatory to end up making the male lover a drunkard. This is where the impression of Arjun Reddy’s character creeps in. The helpless situation drags on and eventually even lands up in a de-addiction centre for no good.
While the romantic tale goes flat on occasions, Dheekshith Shetty and Sanjana Doss keep the audience falling in love with them through their performances.
Though a newcomer, Sanjana as Mercy comes with a force.
Dheekshith Shetty continues to enthral the viewers with his utmost honesty on screen.
If not for the two and some good humour, KTM would have been a tough ride.
The base of the love story is universal, with some fresh presentation. Watch KTM for Dheekshith Shetty and Sanaja Doss.
Kaajal Kunder has a cute little screen presence, too.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
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