Katha is definitely a change from your usual commercial blockbusters with their big stars and item numbers. The movie was publicized as a thriller and coming from a reputed producer like Gangaraju Gunnam, it definitely raised expectations in the A centers atleast. Unfortunately, Katha doesn’t live up to those huge expectations and ends up as an average film thanks to an overdrawn second half.

What is it about : The setting for Katha is the picturesque Araku valley where the mysterious Chitra (Genelia) lands up alone as a school teacher. The next couple of scenes establish her as a normal bubbly girl during the day whose unknown fears make her pop pills and sleep with a huge knife at nights. She soon bumps into Krishna (Arun) who is a wannabe director camping in Araku with his team to write the perfect script. They soon get quite friendly with each other while the local inspector Prakash Raj digs up her past as a mentally unsound patient who spent a year in a mental health institution. At this point, Chitra claims to have seen a murder for which no body is found and so the second half is all about Chitra trying to prove that a murder happened while everybody thinks she is hallucinating. Pretty 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 behavior, the murder, etc stand answered after a couple of twists where you start doubting everyone involved.

What is Good: The first half keep you pretty much occupied by building up the characters of Genelia, Arun, Prakash Raj & others. The characterization of Genelia as a strong girl struggling to recover from her traumatic past & psychiatric problems is sketched well without any stereotyping. Genelia seems to have put in lot of effort in this character and it definitely shows in her act. Prakash Raj as usual stands out in his role. The bond between the lead couple is also gradually built up over some melodious songs in the background with “Thaka Thaka” being the best. The cinematography by Andrew captures the lush beauty of Araku.

What is bad: The second half plays the villain by dragging it 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. The songs in the second half also slow down the pace. Trimming the movie by 30 minutes would have helped it remain a thriller rather than trying to hastily tie up all ends in the last 15 minutes which leave you with a tame and almost predicable end!!!

Me Thinks: An average entertainer that can be watched once

Tailpiece: The titles come on innovatively accompanied by photos of some of the world’s greatest directors like Kurosawa, Hitchcock, Spielberg, etc. Seemed like the director tribute to this maestros only ended up raising more expectations!!!