Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali (2024) - "A visually enchanting tale of first love and lost connections, with standout performances despite pacing and predictability issues."

 

• Directed by: Chandrajith Belliappa
• Starring: Vihan, Ankita Amar, Girija Shettar, Kiranraj K, Mayuri Nataraj
• Genres: Drama, Romance
• Language: Kannada
• Country: India

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Plot Summary:

Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali is a romantic drama tracing the journey of Sid (Vihan) and Anahita (Ankita Amar) from their carefree college days to the complexities of adulthood. The film highlights themes of love, longing, and the bittersweet experience of moving forward while holding onto the past. As Sid grapples with his feelings for his first love, Anahita, and his impending marriage to Radha, the narrative explores how love evolves over time and how some stories remain incomplete.

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Performances:

• Vihan: Delivers a natural performance as Sid, though his portrayal of aggression feels slightly off, affecting the overall believability of his character’s inner turmoil.
• Ankita Amar: Excels as Anahita, embodying the innocence and poetic sensibility of her character. Her performance leaves a lasting impression, capturing the essence of young, idealistic love.
• Mayuri Nataraj: Plays Radha with conviction, but her character is unfortunately sidelined as the story unfolds, limiting her role's emotional impact.
• Supporting Cast: Performs well, enhancing the film’s grounded, realistic vibe.

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Technical Aspects:

• Direction: Chandrajith Belliappa’s vision of a "poetic letter" succeeds to an extent, offering a visually lyrical experience. However, certain cinematic elements, like the sports scenes, feel disconnected from the main narrative.
• Music and BGM: While the songs lack memorability, the background score adds depth to the emotional scenes, enriching the film's poetic undertone.
• Cinematography: Visually, the film is stunning, with effective color grading that captures the mood and theme beautifully.
• Screenplay: The nonlinear structure with multiple chapters is ambitious but can occasionally lead to pacing issues, making the film feel drawn out.

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Strengths:

• Poetic Presentation: The film's aesthetic choices and theme create a dreamlike quality that is visually appealing and emotionally resonant.
• Natural Performances: Especially Ankita Amar, who embodies her role with grace and authenticity, bringing emotional weight to the love story.
• Background Score: Enhances the emotional impact and suits the film’s tone.

Weaknesses:

• Pacing Issues: The slow pacing and predictable storyline may reduce engagement, particularly for viewers looking for dynamic storytelling.
• Disconnected Elements: Certain scenes, like the cricket segment, feel out of place and don’t contribute meaningfully to the narrative.
• Character Balance: Radha’s character lacks development, diminishing the emotional stakes of Sid’s romantic conflict.

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My Personal Take On Cinema:

Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali is a visually beautiful exploration of first love and the complexities of moving on, effectively capturing the nostalgia and heartache of lost connections. However, the film struggles with pacing, predictability, and an unbalanced treatment of its characters, particularly in the sidelining of Radha. The Goan taxi driver scene stands out as a memorable moment, adding depth and a touch of whimsy to the narrative.

For its unique storytelling style and strong performances, especially by Ankita Amar, Ibbani Tabbida Ileyali is worth a watch for fans of emotional, character-driven romance.

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Rating: 

2.75/5