Just Yellow's movies are eagerly-awaited by buffs of intelligent cinema. Katha is definitely a change from the usual commercial blockbusters with their big stars and item numbers. Coming from reputed producer Gunnam Gangaraju, the much-publicized thriller has definitely raised expectations.

Unfortunately, Katha doesn't live up to those huge expectations and ends up as an average film, with the second half bringing it down. But certainly the director has come up with a good thriller film, a murder mystery superimposed on the heroine's unhealthy mental status.

 THE CHARACTERS

Chitra(Genelia) lives alone but her recent past is full of tragedy and phobia, the aftermaths of which still haunt her. Added to it, her troubles begin to become worse when she comes to Araku to work as a school teacher.

Arun (Arun Adit), a budding director suffering from director's block, is in the same town. The story is about the incidents in their lives. Prakashraj plays role of a Circle Inspector and Shafi plays his assistant.

THE PLOT

The setting for Katha is the picturesque Araku valley where the mysterious Chitra lands up alone as a school teacher. She soon bumps into Arun, a wannabe director camping in Araku with his team to write the perfect script. They soon get quite friendly. A few days later, she happens to witness a girl being murdered. After Chitra and Arun bring it to the notice of the cops , the CI tells Arun that Chitra suffers from a psychotic disorder and that she had been treated in a mental asylum for one year.

What is wrong with Chitra? What is her past? Can she live a normal life with the muse of her life Arun? These questions are answered in the second half.

Soon, she almost goes back to the hospital, believing that she is living in her delusional world before the pieces start falling in place. By the end, all the questions on Chitra's traumatic past, her quirky behaviour, the murder, etc. stand answered after a couple of twists where you start doubting everyone involved.

THE TECHNIQUE

Performances

Katha is a simple film made on a shoestring budget. The screenplay is good and all actors, including the newcomer, act well. Genelia carries the show on her shoulders and delivers an efficient performance. She seems to have put in lots of effort in this character which definitely shows in her act. Prakashraj as usual stands out in his role. Giri Babu as co-producer Koko tries to tickle the funny bone.

Others

Katha sounds understated and at a time when technical finesse is not a value-add but a prerequisite, the film lacks the technical voltage. The director does not use too many props, like loud banging noises or creepy music too much or too often, which is a good thing. But the pace is so slow and the moments are dragged so much that any good is totally negated.

Even the dialogues sounds stilted. Add to that juvenile jokes, old-world dialogue and a half-hearted side tracks. The bond between the lead couple is also gradually built up over some melodious songs in the background. The two songs in the motion picture are enjoyable and not too loud. Cinematography by Andrew captures the lush beauty of Araku.

The Verdict

The first half keeps you pretty much occupied by building up the characters of Genelia, Arun, Prakashraj and others. The second half plays the villain by dragging the film needlessly and ruining the tempo built up in the first half. Screen time is wasted in many avoidable scenes of trying to show Genelia's fears as well trying to project everyone in a grey area.

It is an average entertainer that may be watched once.