|
Superstar
Royal melodrama
 Based
on the tragic end of the royal family in Nepal last year, this film
also has shades of the Hindi film Agnisaakshi. The combination of
Upendra and director Nagathihalli has brought a high voltage second
half with three different climaxes. The master of confusion tactics
of Upendra has worked out in this film very well. The soft and studious
approach of director Nagathihalli Chandrasekhar is nowhere seen
in the film. Upendra overshadows everyone in the film.
Deependra (Upendra),
the prince of the royal family is so madly in love with Devayani
(Keerthi Reddy), daughter of a clerk in the royal family business
that he even fires from his revolver a mosquito that bites her.
This is the height of one sided love Deependra expresses to Devayani.
As expected, the royal family strongly objects to the match. The
royal family even arranges for an astrologer to say to Deependra
that his marriage with Devayani would result in the loss of his
parents. Not ready to believe this, Deependra fires at all the members
of the royal family and leaves the palace in a confused mind. This
happens in the absence of Devayani. On hearing this, fear-stricken
Devayani leaves for Bangalore and meets pop star Ricky who is a
lookalike of Deependra. The two become friends. Just as everything
is returning to normalcy for Devayani, she is baffled to see Deependra
in Bangalore. He begs Devayani to become his life partner. When
she refuses, he decides to kill her and put an end to the whole
drama. He also thinks of finishing off Ricky who is a hurdle for
him. But finally he sees sense and decides to leave Ricky and Devayani
and return to Nepal.
Although Upendra
is the center of attraction in the film, the costumes and danger
tricks applied by him bothers the ordinary viewer’s mind. Keerthi
Reddy looks frightened throughout the film. The film scores in the
technical department. Krishnakumar’s camera work deserves applaud.
The exotic locations of Nepal and Thailand are pleasing to the eyes.
Hamsalekha has scored two lovely tunes. This film is good in bits
and pieces.
Police Dog
Baseless film
 This
is a senseless, violent film. The faithful dog, being honoured for
tracing the culprits, is the only redeeming feature of this film.
Surprisingly, it is the dog which goes into a flashback in the film.
Director SS David’s attempt at penning dialogues for Police
Story continues with this film but with absolutely no care. The
songs, fights, blue film shooting, sexual harassment, violence and
bloodshed are the formula for B and C centers only.
A powerful
business tycoon’s son commits a blunder by sending his friend
to write examination on his behalf. The lady invigilator is kidnapped
by ruffians when she learns of this. Lady cop Bhamini, in the disguise
of a cabaret dancer, comes to trace the kidnapped invigilator. Just
when she is close to completing her case, she gets a transfer order.
In her place comes another law-abiding deputy commissioner Vinod
Alva and disenchanted police officer Thriller Manju who finally
helps the DC in tracing the kidnapped girl.
How did the
local censor board permitted this film with a clean chit is beyond
one’s imagination. None of the artistes have performed well
or rather the director has not managed to get the best out of them.
This is a hopeless
film. If you want to know how to lose money by making this type
of films, then ask SS David!
Manasella
Neene
Waste of time
A remake of
the Telugu film Manasentha Nuvve deserved to be better in Kannada.
Director Mooguru Sundaram fails to understand the medium in the
present scenario. This film is made with a lot of laxities. Prabhudeva
and Raju Sundaram, two siblings of hero Nagendra Prasad appear in
guest roles to provide a boost to the film.
Separated at
childhood, Venu (Prasad) and Anu (Gayathri) grow up thinking and
looking for each other. As usual, the rich-poor barricade divides
them when they trace their identity. But before this, a lot of pranks
and funny developments take place. Whether Venu and Anu finally
meet each other forms the climax.
Director Mooguru
Sundar should have been more careful on the editing table. Only
the comedy portion and a few songs are worth writing about. Nagendra
Prasad has miles to go as an actor. Gayathri Jayaram reminds Monisha
Unni, the late actress of Malayalam and Kannada films. Comedian
Karibasavaiah, Anant Nag and Srinath have given the required potentiality
to their role.
The film is much below one’s expectations.
Vasishtha
Photos: KM Veeresh
Regional Section Compiled By Namita Nivas
|
