Buddivanta

Upendra’s new mass masala entertainer directed by Ramnath is the remake of K Balachandar’s Tamil flick Naan Avanillai.

The anti hero in the Tamil version is a heroic personality here and the story is reworked to suit the taste of Upendra fans. The highlights of the film are the picturisation of songs and the punch dialogues of the hero.

Upendra in at least seven get ups with five heroines has done a splendid job and he is supported well by producers Mohan and SV Rajendra Singh Babu because the lavishness heightens the quality of the film.

Very good tunes from Vijay Anthony and spectacular cinematography make this film worth watching.

He is Panchamrutha (Upendra) settled down in Dakshin Kannada who is wanted in four cheating cases by the police. He is produced after a long struggle and the public prosecutor with police proof argues in the court hall.

The judge permits Panchamrutha on his request to argue his case and thus the case history of Panchamrutha opens. For the four women in the witness box he proves that he is not the one they are talking about.

Panchamrutha is set free when there is no adequate proof in the argument when he is said as Ashok Mittal, Rajaneesh, Shyamprasad and Samara Simha Reddy.

The judge daughter Pooja is also duped in the name of Zakir Hussain. The police produce the brother of Panchamrutha in the court hall and he cleverly proves that he does not know him.

Why Panchamrutha has done like this has a sordid tale in his own family when his sister in law commit suicide. Hurt severely with such development Panchamrutha takes the drastic step of teaching women who are greedy.

In the climax we find that Panchamrutha has taught lessons to the four girls he romanced and danced is done with prior permission from their respective spouses. In the eyes of audience Panchamrutha is the real intelligent.

The dialogue oriented film is fit for Upendra immaculately. Sagging image of Upendra has shot up from this film. He looks handsome in seven get ups and the clever subject has given him a new lease of life. This is exactly what his fans were looking for after ‘Raktha Kanneeru’.

The bubbly and ravishing Suman Ranganath, Nathanya, Vrinda, Saloni and Pooja Gandhi the glam girls have a song each and steal the show with their body language and chemistry with Upendra. Veteran Lakshmi as judge and Sridhar coming back to Kannada are precise for the roles.

Four songs – Chitranna Chitrannna….Nee Nanage beku…remix of Kannada old hit Ravi Vermana…. Rarara Raja…is well sung and Vijay Anthony strikes from his first Kannada film. All these songs have already become super hits.

R.Giri cinematography gives the perfect view with splendid colors and lavishness used for the film.

Verdict: Above Average

Patre Loves Padma

“Patre Loves Padma” is a film made with new comers and technicians who have proved their mettle as assistants to better known directors. The film was an awaited venture mainly because the songs and promos of the film had raised some expectations.

However the film belies all expectations and is a third degree torture for the audience. “Patre Loves Padma” moves at a tortoise pace except in the climax where Arjun’s background music creates a little bit of interest.

The makers of “Patre Loves Padma” had claimed in the posters that the film was most awaited love story of 2008. It is certainly not true, but the film does, however, have one of the weakest scripts of the year.

Chandrashekhar might have thought some good music and sequences shot in good outdoor locales will ensure the success of the film.

Though the film has some catchy tunes composed by music director Arjun and visuals are beautiful, the film weighs down because of a terrible script.

And the way many sequences are repeated makes a mockery of narration.

Chandrashekhar Srivathsa writes a haphazard script, creates most unbelievable sequences in the film which are utterly laughable.

Patre has some memory problems but is haunted by his childhood friend who had died because of a motor accident.

Patre decides to marry some one with the same name as Padma. And the search begins for Padma.

Patre and his gang of four friends follow a school girl who bears the name of Padma and entice her.

And another girl with the same name is quite attracted to him. However Patre rejects the second girl’s offer thinking the school girl will accept him.

But to his disappointment the young girl rejects Patre’s offer.

He accidentally meets the third girl who is kidnapped by unknown miscreants. The suspense about who these people are is not broken in the film.

New comer Ajith has tried to give his best, but is surely handicapped by the script.

Loknath, Girija Lokesh and Ramesh Bhat have put in convincing performances.

Despite some good music composition and excellent technical work, “Patre Loves Padma” utterly fails to please the audience. The slow narration is bound to test your patience.

Review: Below Average

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Nisha Kothari in Raj !

Kodagana Koli Nungitha

Jaggesh the comedy hero of Kannada cinema seems to be going overboard? The effort in that direction has gone waste in Kodagana Koli Nungitha (meaning hen swallowed Monkey – a song beginning line written by Santha Shishunala Sharief). The typical facial expressions, rib tickling dialogues and fun – without that it cannot be Jaggesh film. He is shown as Good Samaritan with emotions.

Bachelor Balasubramania (Jaggesh) in short Balu is crossing his marriage age and his only worry is to find a suitable girl. On a few occasions he goes near to tying the nuptial knot but go disgusted for some other reasons. Looking at the bridegroom wanted in newspapers he comes by mistake to the house of Lakshmi (Pooja Gandhi). Lakshmi is perplexed when the marriage issue is put before her.

Balu has the caliber of resolving such crisis and is able to make friends with any strangers. He feels Lakshmi is the right choice for him but how to get her approval is his question. In the next meeting Balu and Lakshmi by mistake the mobiles get exchanged. This brings them near again.

At the third meeting Lakshmi is tormented by a gang but Balu saves her from the clutches. Lakshmi is wanted for a gang lead by Melukote (Rangayana Raghu). When Lakshmi finds safety in the company of Balu she runs away to her grandpapa house in Mysore. From here the suspense opens up explaining what Lakshmi is all about. Lakshmi is the owner of 2000 crores empire. Melukote her uncle wants her to marry his son so that he can gobble the entire property of Lakshmi. Looking at the series of danger for Lakshmi the marriage is arranged to Melukote son by her grandpapa. Balu so far so close to Lakshmi decides to quit the place but the true love by this time between Balu and Lakshmi wins.

This is a remake of Telugu film Mallishwari (starring Venkatesh and Katrina Kaif). The narration is protracted and just for the heck of comedy the scenes appear on the screen that does not jell with the story line.

Jaggesh gives some peppy moments in the first half. It is the second half he goes weak with emotions. Pooja Gandhi’s second film after ‘Mungaru Male’ looks slim and beautiful. The royal footage given to her adds further glamour to her role. Rangayana Raghu scratching his one or the other part of the body in every scene is irking.

Veteran Sudarshan is seen after a long gap on Kannada screen. Sihikahi Chandru, Chitra Shenoy, Padma Vasanthi, Bank Janardhan supported well. Nagshekhar and Sharan in the comedy department are neat.

Expect picker of tunes Sadhu Kokila this time has picked the tune from ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ Hindi film. Dasari Seenu is pretty good in his camera work.

Verdict: Below Average

Maadesha

Ravi Srivatsa’s Maadesha is one of the most violent films made in Kananda in recent times, though it is different from the recent crop of gangster films. The shoot outs, cutting hands, slashing neck with long knife, using hammers to kill the enemy! There are far too many obnoxious and incorrigible methods applied by the controversial director. Except the action, two good songs and some splendid cinematography the film offers nothing new.

Madesha (Shivrajkumar) born to poor parents in the temple town of Nanjangud lives a normal life around the temple. But an adolescent Madesha he goes to jail to serve 14 years term after killing a street vendor who abuses his mother. Back from prison, he finds Bangalore is the best place to make a living. He leaves his mother, sister and the pet elephant Ganesha in the village.

Madesha has the strength of elephant and he is like a rock. Working in the police station in gruesome attack on Khan and his men when they come to collect ‘hafta’ Madesha shows his courage and ability to counter two dozen attacking him. He is liked by petrol bunk owner Sircar. The days ahead for Madesha are nothing but preparing plots and completing nefarious deals for his mentor Sircar.

He surpasses orders of Sircar when wrong doings increase. Madesh is looking for removing bad elements only. The interference of Madesha is what irks his boss Sircar. A sketch is made to finish off Madesha. For that vicious circle Madesha gives a fitting counter attack that makes Sircar to go to Home Minister for help.

A tough cop Ravi Kale is appointed but Madesha slips from his hands without proof killing his mentor in broad day light. Madesha finally settle down in Australia and he announces his surrender to police. The rest is in the Part II of Madesha.

In the action scenes Shivarajakumar has proved that he is very strong. In dance he excels but the long hair style for this film is disturbing at times. Sonu Bhatia comes and goes. Ravi Belegere, Ravi Kaale and Vijayasarathy come and stay in the minds of the audiences. Padmaja Rao and Muni have rendered admirable support.

Mano Murthy in the full length action film is not the fit music director yet he gives two lovely tunes – Munjane Manjagu… and Lahari Moha Lahari…, they are well sung and choreographed too.

G.S.V.Seetharam the silent and sensible cameraman of Kannada cinema gives a splendid work. The top angles shots in Australia for the song is brilliant.

Action lovers and die hard Shivrajkumar will love it.

Verdict – Average

Vedhika Back to Sandalwood

Ganesha Maththe Bandha

Back after self declared temporary retirement from big screen, Phani Ramachandra proving his mettle in the small screen in the last six years.

He has not deviated from his style according to time and taste of cinema viewers of the present day. In the age old style he presents his film that is passable for the family audience.

The whole cinema is a debate on love and arranged marriage in a backdrop of an orthodox Madhwa family. The situations brought in by director are capable of drawing the family audience to the theatres.

Ganesh (Vijaya Raghavendra) a modern guy working in software company has totally soft and philosophical wife Savithri (Pragna). This is an arranged marriage but discipline, obedience and god fearing wife is a big bore for Ganesha.

She does not reciprocate to the modern style and at the initial stage of marriage Savithri is ancient in thinking. In a fit of anger for not getting right emotions and romance from his wife Ganesha sends her out and Savithri is back to her birth place.

In the same house the elder sister Gayathri (Neethu) is also with baggage from her in laws house. The love marriage of Gayathri has also broken on the grounds that she is not interested in living in village to look after ailing parents of her husband Shanker.

Gayathri is tamed by her mother and Savithri is taught the right lessons by her father. On the other hand Ganesha realizes that he has made a mistake with such a wife.

Meanwhile Shanker parents decide to live in Home for Aged to keep the newly married son Shanker and Gayathri happy. At this time blackmail drama of kidnap of Savithri makes Ganesh to acquire courage to get back his wife.

Finally it is happy ending as the director declares both the forms of marriage needs good temperament and understanding in life.

Vijaya Raghavendra is spectacular in his role that is new to his image. Pragna the newcomer is tolerable, Neethu excel in a fire filled role. Vinayaprakash and Ananthnag steal the major honors. Vishal Hegde is passable.

Three of Manohar tunes with one remix song of yesteryears are splendid. Renukumar camera work is adequate. There is some good editing done for the film.

Verdict – Average

Sherin is back with a Bang!

Actress Sherin who made her debut with Police Dog when she was in teens made a comeback with ‘Dhruva’ opposite Darshan. She then went to Tamil films to return again for Darshan film ‘Bhoopathy’. Again she went back to Tamil and is now seeking a break in Kannada cinema with Sihigaali opposite Srimurali.

She is now acting in three films and signed six films package for SPR Productions that made ‘Gaalipata’ in Kannada. In Tamil films Poova Thalaya, Vil , Cash and Maaya she is playing small roles. She has already acted in eight Tamil films but a major break through has not yet reached her kitty.

In ‘Sihigali’ she is paired with Srimurali is a very good role and there is some scope for acting besides the song and dance says beautiful looking Sherin.

Sherin’s SPR group productions have not yet taken off but only contract has been signed. SPR six films she has signed will be in various South Indian languages.

Dheemaku

Is Naveen Krishna following the footsteps of his distant relative style king superstar of Tamil films Rajinikanth? Yes seems to be the answer as it is evident from his style and dialogue delivery in Dheemaku that has hit the screen this week.

The early days of Rajinikanth comes to the memory with Naveen Krishna setting the screen on fire in many scenes in this dialogue driven film. For the youth of today and a section of family this is a right film to watch. From ‘Dheemaku’ a new director is born in big screen!

Balu (Naveen Krishna) is a tricky and stylish personality, a drop out of engineering education. He has a strict mother who is a teacher and father a very supportive. Balu falls in love with Priya but this is not liked by her mother Indira Devi a rich industrialist. She hatches a few plots to prove to her daughter that Balu is behind her wealth. This portion in the film is explained in the flash back technique that is very convincing. The rest of the film is the fight against Indira Devi against Balu. How Balu exposes the self centered nature of Indira Devi is interesting in the climax.

Son of veteran actor Srinivasamurthy Naveen Krishna’s best performance in this full fledged film as hero has come for his home banner. In the previous films he did not get so much of opportunity. He dances well style is kicking, sung a song very well, looks very attractive on screen.

Flora Saini the heroine all these years play the character role of a mother. Sudha Belawadi, Rangayana Raghu, Jaggesh, Komal, Sharan are apt in sweet and short roles.

Three melodious tunes have come from Arjun. In the song ‘Hettavarannu….’ tribute to Dr.Raj is in glorious style. Vinod Bharathi working in Tamil films as assistant has made a debut convincingly. His lighting and capture of the indoor location is absorbing.

Verdict: Average