Beginning review: A creative split-screen experience

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By Manigandan KR

January 29, 2023

With Beginning, director Jagan Vijaya seems to have attempted what nobody else in Asia has ever attempted before — a split-screen movie!

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It is a film that has two stories narrated simultaneously on a single screen.

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One story is about a single mother (Rohini) who has an intellectually-challenged son (Vinod Kishan), whom she locks up every day at home before heading to work.

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In the other story a young woman (Gouri), who works in the IT industry, is kidnapped by a gang of three men.

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Initially, it is kind of difficult to focus on both stories. However, after both stories get connected, one experiences the joy of watching a split-screen film!

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Beginning has two powerful performers playing the lead. Vinod’s and Gouri’s performances are scintillating, making the film highly enjoyable.

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Rohini, who plays Vinod Kishen’s mother, and Laguparan, who plays Gouri’s boyfriend, too come up with convincing performances.

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KS Sundaramurthy’s background score is apt. Scoring music that is common to two sets of visuals being screened simultaneously is impressive.

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Cinematographer Sundaramurthy’s visuals are just what director Jagan Vijaya needed to narrate the gripping story of Beginning.

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Beginning is an innovative attempt that works, not only because of its lead actors but also because of some clever thinking by the director and editor.

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