Ththi, the debut feature from Indian director Raam Reddy is a picture so full of life, it’s ironic that it of course revolves around death.
The death comes at the expense of “Century” Gowda (Singri Gowda), a local legend who has lived 101 long years of glorious life. Thithi opens with him berating local passerby’s before he suddenly drops dead. Although we only get a few minutes with him, Reddy paints him in such a lively tone that we feel like we have known him for a century as well.
News spreads to his grandson Thamanna (Thammegowda S.), who has many familial and business hoops to jump through in order to cash in on the land that he is set to inherit from “Century” Gowda. The only obstacle is his prickly father Gadappa (Channegowda), who is definitely the son of “Century.” He too lives a bold life, wandering around and never quite following the orders from anyone but himself. He’s a character at work, a ball of restless energy and full of frustrations for all those who cross his path.
Thamanna is panicked as he has to get the land thats rightfully his signed over from his father, but that is nearly impossible to do as he can barely track Gadappa’s whereabouts. Things get even more complicated when he finds out that he’s in charge of organizing, and paying for a “thithi,” a celebrative funeral set to commemorate the long life that his grandfather lived. The quick solution for Thamanna to sell of his land and make some quick cash is to pretend that his father is dead. Simple enough considering Gadappa is always out of sight, and out of mind. But if only it was that simple.
With various storylines and colorful characters played by all local non-professional actors, there’s a delightful charm to Thithi that’s free of all Hollywood trademarks, a truly refreshing feature that is hooks you in and keeps you smiling from start to finish.
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