Cinema is an evolving art form, manifesting across various shapes, forms, and genres. This adaptability is not lost on the Kannada film industry, which in the last decade has consistently challenged the status quo with innovative cinematic expressions. Enter director Kenja Chethan Kumar, with his fresh take on hyperlink cinema, a narrative style that has been comparatively uncharted in the regional cinematic landscape.
Kumar’s newest offering, ‘Chow Chow Bath,’ is an ambitious venture that defines itself within this intriguing format. Unlike an anthology, which is essentially a collection of independent short stories, a hyperlink film presents concurrently running narratives that ultimately intertwine as the story unfolds. The excitement surrounding this narrative style was palpable at the film’s screening at the Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFes 2024), where Chethan provided insights into the structure and narrative mechanics of his latest work.
This innovative film with a compelling title inspired by the contrasting yet complementary flavors of the popular Karnataka dishes, khara bath and kesari bath, mirrors the same philosophy in its storytelling approach. Serving differing storylines on a singular narrative platter, ‘Chow Chow Bath’ is an explorative romantic comedy that follows six primary characters whose lives initially appear disparate until the threads of their stories begin to entwine as the plot nears its climax.
Chow Chow Bath’s ensemble includes Aruna Balraj, Sagar Gowda, Sushmitha Bhat, Dhanush S Baikampady, and Sankalp Sharma. The nomination in the Kannada Cinema Competition category at an esteemed event like BIFFes stoked the filmmakers’ pride and anticipation for its general release scheduled for March 15. The film’s premiere at the festival drew considerable attention and foreshadowed the potential for a successful commercial run.
Chethan hails from Mangaluru, where he grew up in the area of Kenja, a name he proudly prefixes to his own. His foray into the realm of art was undoubtedly influenced by the creative legacy of his late grandfather, Kemthur Doddanna Shetty—a respected playwright, actor, and director in their village who had made a considerable impact with works in the Tulu language. Despite never meeting him, Chethan’s fascination with theater and later, cinema, was fueled by the recounted tales of his grandfather’s theatrical journey.
The path to filmmaking was not straightforward for Chethan, who could not undertake a professional filmmaking course and instead set his sights on learning the craft of film editing. His resolve fortified when he learned of Rajkumar Hirani’s transition from editor to director, inspiring him to follow a similar path, later motivated further by the careers of illustrious industry figures like Subash Ghai and Sirish Kunder.
Mentored by the late Gopi Prabhu, Chethan acquired valuable experience as a film and TV editor for networks such as Asianet Suvarna, TV9 Kannada, and Star India Pvt Ltd. After seven years of honing his editorial skills, he ventured into directing. His debut, ‘Prema Geema Jaane Do,’ came in 2016, followed by ‘Devaru Bekagiddare,’ leading up to his current project.
Chow Chow Bath comes equipped with the musical stylings of Hemanth Jois and the keen eye of cinematographer Rudramuni Belagere. This production of Horizzon Movies signifies a new chapter in Chethan’s directorial journey and a potential turning point for Kannada cinema as it navigates new genres and storytelling techniques, anticipating to captivate audiences both at home and beyond.
As this novel hyperlink cinematic piece prepares for its awaited commercial release, both filmmakers and filmgoers alike are eager to witness how its interlacing narratives and underlying humor will resonate within the ever-expanding universe of Indian cinema.
