By Hemacharya 

Mangaluru, Oct 20: On Saturday, October 19, I had the privilege of watching the Konkani movie ‘Payann’ at Bharat Cinema in Bejai, Mangaluru, along with my entire entourage. 

My team was thrilled as we exited the theatre, with all of them agreeing that it’s "so far the best film" in Konkani cinema history. It’s no surprise that it’s running to packed houses, both in India and abroad. 

The reasons for this success are many, and they are as follows: 

The storyline was unique and different from any other Konkani films we have seen so far.

The songs and music conveyed that music is a ‘universal language’, belonging to nature and originating from the word 'OM’, as depicted in the Vedas. We appreciated the tribute to both present-day and past Konkani music maestros. Melwyn Peris' love for music was evident throughout.

The bond between a father, his son, and daughter was heart-warming.

In this love triangle, we usually expect a handsome boy to be torn between two beautiful girls. However, Payann offers a refreshing twist. While the boy is deeply engrossed in music, he keeps both girls guessing about who he loves. We won’t reveal who wins in the end!

The film also touches on a deadly epidemic that threatens us today—cancer. The hero himself, despite his own physical struggles, leads the charge to raise awareness and encourages us to support him.

The final suspense—"Where is Christy?"—keeps everyone on the edge of their seats. (Again, we won’t spoil the surprise.)

All the actors delivered perfect performances, making it hard to distinguish who stood out the most. Kudos to the entire cast.

Director Joel Pereira, producer Melwyn Peris, and music director Roshan D’Souza Angelore have done a remarkable job and deserve high praise. The singers and technicians demonstrated that teamwork is key to the success of this film.

I must say, it is a ‘must-watch movie’.