Gift Box

Partha, a working professional, is drawn to young college student, Tulasi. An unsuspecting Tulasi starts courting Partha, after he follows her around, eventually winning her over. As love blossoms, the duo head on a trip. But are Partha's intentions pure?
The narrative simultaneously shows Partha, 10 years later, living with and caring for Surabhi, who has locked-in syndrome. She and Partha were in an accident that left her paralysed.
How are Partha's past and present connected? And what is the connection of the tiny, bloodied gift box that is a recurring motif in the narrative?
Gift Box is not a conventional, run-of-the-mill thriller. The narration is in no hurry - it takes its time and gets you invested in its characters. The non-linear storytelling has a certain charm to it, and despite the slow-paced screenplay, at no point does the viewer’s attention dip.
Renuk Mathad a.k.a. Ritvvikk Mathad puts forth a sincere attempt as Partha, and Ameeta Kulal gives an impactful performance as Tulasi. Deepthi Mohan is captivating as Surabhi. All the character actors shine in their roles, too. Vasu Dixit warrants a special mention for putting forth some lovely music.
While there are many positives that work in favour of this film, there are a few glitches too. The story reaches a crescendo gradually, that the director carefully builds, but the climax leaves the viewer a tad underwhelmed. There are also incongruencies in the story, and some plot twists that are not convincing. Regardless of the shortcomings, one must complement the team for the novel effort put in.
Give this film a watch if you wish to lend support to promising regional talent. It might falter, but it has its moments of brilliance.
Disclaimer: Some scenes portray instances of physical assault and sexual violence.