There's a quote where one mentions that a dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself. This movie beautifully elucidates how true these lines are. The close relationship between a dog and his caretaker is shown in a very simplistic manner. The movie unfolds in a steady fashion, eventually enrapturing the viewer completely.
The story of this movie begins with an auto driver, Shankara finding a puppy in his auto rickshaw. After initially being apprehensive about keeping it, he slowly gets comfortable with Gunda (that's what he names the dog!). Shankara forms a close bond with Gunda, however it starts to affect his relationship with his wife Kavitha. The rest of the story unfolds in a heartwarming manner.
What makes this movie stand out is that it never deviates much from the narrative that it once establishes. It keeps the focus on very simple elements - the typical village backdrop, the innocence of the village folk, their humbleness and lifestyle, the naturalness in their conversations etc which act as the key factors that hold the viewer's attention.
There are also quite a few meaningful & sensible dialogues which makes this movie more believable. Each of the characters are showcased in the best way possible. The loyalty, obedience and respect that a dog has for it's owner is shown quite well throughout the movie. The music and cinematography are good enough and aptly done. The title song in Sonu Nigam's voice is really soothing.
The movie is Shivaraj KR Pete's show all the way. His display of emotions is just fantastic and he also establishes himself as a lead actor, who otherwise can be seen only in side roles. Govinde Gowda plays a wonderful role as Shankara's dear friend. His timing in dialogue delivery is just perfect! Samyukta Hornad has given one of her best performances where she plays the role of an evil yet kind hearted person very gracefully! The dog, Simba A.K.A. Gunda has been trained really well and it's amazing to watch him perform on the big screen!
To sum up, this movie tacitly strikes a chord with the audience with the right set of emotions. This movie is a great family entertainer to watch with your loved ones. If you like meaningful movies or if you're a pet lover, then you shouldn't miss this one. Gunda will definitely steal your heart!
