Boys Hostel Movie Review

Lately, films from the Kannada film industry, such as KGF and Kantara, have achieved immense success in the Telugu market. Continuing this trend, another Kannada movie has now been dubbed into Telugu. Named “Boys Hostel,” this comedy-drama has made its way to the theaters. The trailer raised considerable anticipation. Does the film manage to meet the viewers’ expectations? Let’s delve into it:

Plot:

Ajith (Prajwal BP) is a college student and an aspiring filmmaker. He dreams of creating a short film, but his roommates (Srivatsa Shyam, Tejas Jayanna, Bharath Vashisht, Aniruddha) swiftly dismiss the idea due to an upcoming exam. However, their plans take an unexpected turn when they stumble upon the lifeless body of the hostel warden (Manjunath Nayaka) and a note that accuses them of being responsible for his alleged suicide. Filled with anxiety, the gang is gripped by panic. To deal with the situation, they seek assistance from their seniors including Genie (Nithin Krishnamurthy), Swami, and another friend. What unfolds throughout the night forms the main plot of the film.

Performances:

Each actor deserves commendation for their outstanding performance in the film. Whether it’s Prajwal, Srivatsa, Tejas, or Nithin, each has been provided with a distinct role, and they’ve given their utmost to it. The younger generation of audiences will undoubtedly relate to every character in the movie. These are the kinds of individuals we encounter in every Boys Hostel. The bond they share and their playful conflicts are bound to elicit an enthusiastic response from the audience in theaters.

A special acknowledgement should be extended to Manjunath Nayaka for his captivating portrayal as the hostel warden. He skillfully navigated dual facets, effectively delivering both comedy and these scenes were highly successful.

In the original Kannada version, there was a cameo appearance by renowned actress Ramya. However, her segments were replaced by Rashmi’s scenes in the Telugu version. While her interactions might resonate with the younger audience, they don’t contribute significantly to the plot. The situation remains identical concerning the cameos of Rishab Shetty, and directors Pawan Kumar and Tharun Bhascker. Their appearances solely aim to elicit cheers from the audience, without contributing any meaningful value to the storyline.

Aravind Kashyap also merits an acknowledgement but for his presence. Even though he remains absent from 95% of the film, the scenes are framed from his viewpoint. The significance of his character becomes apparent upon viewing the movie.

Technicalities:

“Boys Hostel” stands as a technically adept cinematic creation. The initial ten-minute segment boasts intricate VFX and has been executed masterfully. This specific sequence underscores the director’s skill, the cinematographer’s prowess, the editor’s finesse, the VFX artists’ craftsmanship, and the music director’s contribution.

The entirety of the film unfolds with the semblance of being captured through a handheld camera. This documentary-style approach, a rarity in mainstream cinema, showcases the audacity of the filmmakers in making such innovative choices. This aspect lends a profound dimension to the movie. Nevertheless, beyond a certain juncture, viewers find it jarring and visually unsettling. Excessive rapid pans and swift zooms among numerous shots create a sense of visual disruption and unease after a while. The cinematography within the initial 10 minutes is remarkable; however, subsequently, there is little to commend. On a positive note, the editing is competent, though there is room for significant improvement in the latter half. The musical score is commendable, although it may lack a significant impact. The production values are remarkable, effectively masking any perception of the film being constrained by a limited budget.

Thumbs Up:

Innovative making
Performances

Thumbs Down:

No conflict in the story
Feels stretched at most of the times
Music lacking impact

Analysis:

Boys Hostel” doesn’t follow a conflict-driven narrative; instead, it’s propelled by a series of instances. Constructing such narratives is a formidable undertaking. The characters must be relatable, the scenes captivating, and the comedy genuinely effective. Writer-Director Nithin Krishnamurthy manages to check most of these boxes throughout a significant portion of the film. His story is enhanced by exceptional performances, rendering the film well worth watching. Both Chai Bisket and Annapurna Studios have executed a commendable job in dubbing the film. The Telugu dialogues are impressive and certain to resonate with the youth.

Nonetheless, there are notable drawbacks. To begin, an excessive number of characters are introduced too early in the film. Audiences are left unfamiliar with these characters until nearly half an hour has passed. Some characters could have been omitted, as their contribution to the story is limited. The director’s attempt to insert humor into every dialogue is evident. This excessive zeal for comedic writing permeates every scene, resulting in only about half of the jokes effectively landing, while the others fall flat. Rather than relying on the dialogues, the creators should have dedicated more attention to driving the narrative in an innovative manner.

While the hostel ambiance and character portrayals hold relatability, the story’s concept diverges significantly from reality. The movie’s central premise and the subsequent developments come across as superficial. The notion of transporting a deceased body through the hostel, maneuvering across various floors while avoiding other students, strains believability.

Instead of emphasizing dialogues and humor, the director should have prioritized crafting scenes that resonate as plausible. The inclusion of senior characters and cameos from super-seniors fails to contribute meaningfully to the storyline.

The first half of the film is fairly engaging, rich with humor. However, the director lets the pace slacken in the second half, resulting in a sense of lag for the viewers.

Rashmi’s segments feel superfluous, punctuated by an excess of shots featuring her. Many of these sequences could have been trimmed. Additionally, while the film offers an enjoyable experience upon initial viewing, it lacks the potential for repeated enjoyment.

Overall, “Boys Hostel” provides moments of entertainment; however, the absence of a compelling narrative and prolonged sequences are likely to result in audience disinterest. A plausible yet unconventional plotline could have significantly enhanced the movie’s appeal. Mere relatable characters and settings aren’t sufficient for an engaging encounter; a substantial storyline is essential to lend substance to the film. Unfortunately, this film falls short in delivering that essential ‘story’ element.

Bottomline: Partly Fun – Partly Boring

Rating: 2.5/5