Pancharangi Film Review

Its another case of a big director movie being a big let down. Well, I see Pancharangi as a continuation of his earlier venture Manasaare. Yogaraj Bhat has presented Manohar(Diganth) of Manasaare who was a jobless youth in a new avatar as Bharath Kumar. Similarities show up from the first scene. Its a classic case of a frustrated youth making fun of the way people live and view life. Of course, director has used the same dialogue style(that of being different from what people normally speak) he employed in Mungaaru Male. But here, Diganth and Nidhi take up that job which was Ganesh's USP then.

Picture Courtesy : nowrunning.com

Looking at the pace of the movie, you will wonder whether its going to be all new view on life. But wait, it takes only few minutes before you realize otherwise. But then you have brighter aspects in the movie too. The case of Nityananda Swami seems to have inspired one of the characters, which is well portrayed. Also, the herd mentality of the people who watch numerous astrology programs on most of the national and regional TV channels and believe whatever the astrologer says takes a bashing here.

Well, dialogues for some part of the film entertain the audience. But they seem to be on similar lines. I found the trailer of the movie more interesting than the actual movie. Watching the movie, I fee director seems to be in confusion about his view on life. Whatever it is, the film is definitely not up to the mark, where you would go to the movie by just seeing director Yogaraj's name.

Manasaare Film Review

FYI : This is 200th post in Ee Prapancha.

Much awaited Kannada film Manasaare got released today. Film begins with song Ondu kanasu just like in Gaalipata. Neethu who was paired up with Diganth in Gaalipata, has acted in a guest role here. Whether it was to bring back the Gaalipata chemistry(which was by the way well received by the Kannada audience) here too? That is the question, director of the movie has to answer.

15-20 minutes from the beginning of the film is a good watch with comedy sequences featuring Diganth. But, soon the jovial mood in the film turns into a serious one. This continues for rest of the film canvas with tinges of comedy here and there.

Manohar(Diganth) is a jobless bachelor. He is in love with Bhamini(Neethu) but she deserts him for a well earning groom. Manohar being happy go lucky guy, never minds it. One night in Bangalore, Manohar is mistaken for a mental patient and taken away to a mental hospital in Malligepura in Kodagu. His efforts to prove himself sane prove futile. Even though he manages to escape from there, he comes back because of his love at first sight in the hospital on the day of escape! And now, he plans to elope with his lady love in the hospital van and of course, he succeeds too.

Photo Courtesy : Oneindia.in

Devika(Aindrita) who is also a mental patient, hates all men and her reaction towards them is to stab them. She, unaware of Manohar's motives tries to stab him, once she thinks that she has been kidnapped. She insists on returning to hospital and on her way back to hospital, spends 2 days with him and needless to say, love blooms. Also, Devika recovers to normal mental health. And now, when everything is going smooth in Manohar's life, hospital authorities come to know that Manohar is mistaken for Mahendra, another mental patient. This infuriates Devika, who thinks that Manohar is cheating her. Manohar is evicted out of the hospital and his future seems gloomy. Well, then Devika comes to know that Manohar is a good guy and they live happily ever after.

Script as you might have realized by now is weak. Predictable sequences mar the interest of the audience. Also, songs seems to have been stuffed. In a 2 hour movie, you can imagine how difficult it is to put 7 songs. In a way songs tries to lower the pace of the movie, which is otherwise fast paced. Also, several sequences appear unnatural - like, it is quite easy to escape out of the mental hospital and come back again! Bride(Bhamini) confessing her love to other guy(Diganth), taking some time off from the wedding reception! Manohar's uncle wearing patient's dress and climbing hospital wall, to see his future daughter-in-law!

Songs have been well shot but that solely, seems to be the success mantra of Gandhinagar nowadays. Diganth walks away with good performance. Dialogues in north Karnataka lingo are homorous and makes you laugh. Kudos to Raju Thalikote. At the end of the movie, I thought keeping only 3-4 songs with little more on-screen chemistry between Diganth and Aindritha would have made the film much better. What say, folks?