Katha

Loosely based on the classical Indian folktale of the hare and the tortoise, and based on a Marathi play, Sai Paranjpye’s Katha is of her greatest works – a smart and discreet romantic comedy.

Sai Paranjpye, one of India’s most popular female filmmakers, took a long-winded road towards cinema. She started out in radio, expanded from there into theatre, then television and finally arrived at filmmaking; in almost all of these spheres, first, she mainly created works for children. Her strength lies in her writing: few other Indian filmmakers can rival Paranjpye’s genius in creating complex characters whose contradictions, quirks and strengths become engagingly relatable through the most finely crafted of dialogues – and not only in her native Marathi but also Hindi and English.

Paranjpye’s realm of excellence, of critical acclaim and vast audience success is that of a popular cinema done in a discreet, classical style closer to arthouse films. With Katha being one of her greatest works. Shot in Hindi but based on a Marathi play, it tells the story of a kind man whose generosity and patience is (ab)used by a more dashing and smooth-talking fellow – who, of course, will receive his due comeuppance. Entertainment of a gentle and smart kind not seen in decades!

– Olaf Möller

Additional Credits

Presented in collaboration with NFDC – National Film Archive of India.

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