Haage Summane Film Review

Can success be replicated? Preetham Gubbi thinks so and it may be a while when he realizes the answer for this question in negative. Riding on the success of Mungaaru Male, having provided the story, he tries the formula - good music + beautiful locales + new faces. But his directorial venture lacks freshness, which most film buffs want. If one line description is enough, then it is nothing but a sequence of cliches.

Picture Source : nowrunning.com

Agreed, most of the songs are good(Maayavaagide Manasu and Oorella Koogi Heluve) but that only does not make a film worth watching. No complaint about the lyrics by Kannada's No.1 lyricist now, Jayantha Kaykini. Cinematography is a plus but audience can clearly point out the artificial trees (maple trees) being 'planted' in the beautiful locations of Karnataka. There was absolutely no need for that.

Mungaaru Male hangover is clearly seen. That is evident from the first scene as he names his hero 'Preetham'(Kiran) - 'Preetham' was the name of Ganesh's role in Mungaaru Male. Preetham's search for a true love ends with Khushi(Suhasi), a guitarist. He is not among the ones who give up, when Khushi rejects his proposal. He comes to Khushi's home telling, he wants to learn guitar ahead of a show. Needless to say he has to impress her parents to win over her. But why Khushi rejects Preetham in the first place is revealed at the end. By the time you feel it is the beginning of the story, you see it is the end of the film! Story if at all is there in this film, lacks freshness. One can predict the subsequent scenes and for the worst part, even dialogues. And this is when irritation for the movie goer begins and that ends when the movie ends.

Bekal Fort Beach Kasaragod Kerala

Bekal Fort beach, a populart tourist attraction, is 15km away from Kasaragod town. Bekal Fort is the biggest fort in Kerala. The fort, whose construction was started during Hiriya Venkatappa Nayaka's time was completed during Keladi Shivappa Nayaka's reign. The fort spread across 40 acres of land is facing the Arabian sea. At the entrance of the fort, there is Mukhyaprana temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Lord Hanuman is believed to be the protector of the fort. Architecture of this temple resembles the ones in Karnataka.As soon as you enter the fort, you will find the green lawns being laid. As you walk around the fort you will notice holes in the fort walls, designed to protect from invaders. Also, one can get a bird's view of the sea shore ahead from the fort walls, a rarity in beach locations. View from the fort walls of Bekal make you believe that one half of your view is filled by the Arabian sea and the other half by all coconut trees, typical of Kerala.From the fort there is a passage to the beach down. A walk along the sea shore and you will find the park for children. Various structures are being built to attract the tourists. This place is usually crowded with people spending their leisure time with family and friends. Also, one can see some boats lined up along the shore and some afloat in sea. You can also witness some small birds(dont know the name!)walking in the sands and shying away whenever sea waves come closer. Bekal fort is a must visit place for those who are on trip to Kasaragod.Film connection : Numerous films have been shot in the beautiful location of Bekal fort. Bombay, film directed by Maniratnam deserves mention here. Aravind Swamy's wait for Manisha Koirala, singing Tu Hi Re is still fresh in the memories of film goers. Lot of Kannada movies like Bhaava Bhamaida, Make up, Moggina Manassu have also been shot.How to reach Bekal fort from Mangalore :
Mangalore to Kasaragod (NH17) - 50km
Kasaragod to Bekal Fort - 15 km (Mode of transport : Bus/Auto)

Entrance Fees and Camera Charges :
Bekal Fort :
Entrance Fees : Rs.5 per person
Camera Fees : Rs. 25 per camera

Bekal Fort Beach:
Entrance Fees : Rs.5 per person
Camera Fees : Rs.25 per camera

Ananthapura Temple Kumble Kasaragod

Ananthapura near Kasaragod, 45 kms from Mangalore is a lake temple. Though surrounded by barren land all around it is truely amazing to see a lake and temple in the middle. Ananthapura is the holy abode of Lord Ananthapadmanaabha (or Lord Vishnu). Interestingly Ananthapura is the only lake temple in Kerala state.Idols : Idols worshipped here is not made of metal or stone as in most of the temples in India. It is made of Kadusharkara Paaka(made of various herbs). In this way of making idols of Gods, in addition to the external organs, internal organs like heart, lungs, skeletal joints and nervous system are also are realized. Also, there is no Abhishekam for idols made of Kadusharkara Paaka.Vegetarian Crocodile : Most of you may find it hard to believe that temple is guarded by a vegetarian crocodile, which lives in the temple lake. Crocodile named 'Babiya', has been living in the temple lake for 63 years now. They say there lived one crocodile before the present one appeared. People used to get a glimpse of the crocodile when they called it. In 1945, that one was killed by a British officer. After a few days, the present crocodile appeared in the lake. But now, one hardly gets to see the crocodile. One can see the crocodile, when the priests offer prasadam, naivedyam to it in the morning.How to reach Ananthapura from Mangalore : Mangalore to Kumble (also known as Kumbla) - 40 km
One can catch the Mangalore-Kasaragod bus to reach Kumble.
From Kumble, take an auto to Ananthapura or
catch a bus to Naikap (4 km from Kumble) and then get an auto from there.

Ghajini - Film Review

For all those media hype and publicity by Aamir, Ghajini does not disappoint for most part. A perfectionist he is and the Khan lives upto it - a tonsured head, a eight-pack body and a matching act. On the whole, film stands out for amazing performances by the lead actors, Aamir Khan and Asin, the southern sensation.

Sanjay Singhania(Aamir Khan), CEO of Airvoice, is suffering from a mental disorder, where in he remembers about anything for only 15 minutes. And, why he is in such a state is a different story altogether. To manage with his inability, he makes notes about everything he encounters daily, takes photographs of whoever he is in touch everyday and also, he is on mission to find his enemy Ghajini and kill him. Kalpana(Asin), his love is dead and needless to say that Ghajini is responsible for that. How Sanjay accomplishes his mission is rest of the story. Jia Khan, a MBBS student helps Sanjay on his way.

Picture Source : nowrunning.com

What's Good: Aamir excels in his potrayal as always and that is the precise reason why he takes up only one movie every year. His body language perfectly suits the role. Asin, as a cheerful youngster impresses everybody. More than Aamir, it is Asin who steals the show with her stellar performance. Well, worth watch for Aamir fans and also for who want out-of-the-mill film stories. A R Rehman at his best in songs - Tu Meri Adhuri Pyaas Pyaas, Behka Behka. Exotic locations for song sequence are treat to watch. Also, hats off to the camera work too!

What's Not So Good: Asin's introductory song in the movie looks as if it has been stuffed into the movie sequence! Film could have been done without the song and Asin histrionics. Also, climax is a slight disappointment as the much dragged climax may remind you of the 80s film era!

This and That: Following was the SMS I received yesterday about Ghajini :- Describe Aamir Khan in GHAJINI - A man without hard disk, only cache memory and high speed processor! Of course, this message was forwarded by a software engineer.

Slum Baala - Film Review

Two stories based on favorite subject of Kannada producers, underworld! Almost the same team. But the second one fails to live up to the expectations. I am talking of Agni Shridhar's latest venture, Slum Baala. His earlier film Aa Dinagalu was a hit and was among the 10 best Indian movies in 2007 according The Week, well known English weekly. That was the precise reason why me and my friend, Raghav had no hesitation to go for the movie. But here, the film let us down with its weak plot. On the brighter aspects of the movie, Duniya Vijay, Umaashri, Shubha Poonja and Shashi Kumar, Achyuth Rao(more known for his role in hugely popular serial in E-tv Kannada, Moodala Mane) give commendable performances. M N Suresh, another TV artist, though does a good job, overacts in some scenes.

Picture Source : nowrunning.com

Quite many films have come on the subject of underworld with same old story of nexus of police and politicians taking the help of underworld dons to achieve their motives and in the end, eliminating them, when they get any slightest hint of dons rebelling. Well, story is familiar here too. Vinayaka Baala alias Slum Baala is a little known rowdy who gets deported to Mumbai for a year. Baala joins his friend Razaak there. He also gets to meet his love, Shubha Poonja. Circumstances force Shashi Kumar, a police officer, who had earlier deported Baala, to call him back to Bangalore. M N Suresh, playing a politician takes the help of Baala to eliminate his adversaries. In the end, Baala is about to rebel against Suresh, as Baala does not get the deals done as promised. But then Baala is killed in an encounter planned by Shashi Kumar, the police officer.

Camera work in the film is good and there is one scene which stands apart - the scene where Baala kisses the pistol and says bellagaagbekuntha naanu yaavaththu fair and lovely haakdavnalla; naanu kariya, neenu kariya, saath kodtheeya.(Loose translation in English may go like this - I had never used face creams to look fair; I am black and you (pistol) too are black, will you stand by me). First half of the film is entertaining but the second half is boring. Yes, boring as second half is all about showing two warring parties, Baala and his gang on one side and Suresh and his group on the other side, discussing strategies, how to eliminate one another in alternate scenes. Amidst all these, two melodious songs - Ale Aleyu Haadidavu, Manasu Rangaagide Indu steal the show. This is probably the only similarity with Aa DinagaLu, as songs - Aa Dingalu and Sihi Gaali won the audience's applauses, a year ago.

Mast Maja Maadi - Film Review

Mast Maja Maadi - film as a whole, does not impress much. But the dialogues for most part of the film, sets a laugh riot in the movie hall! Also, the performance of Komal which hides below par performance from lead actors! But who cares, as you have to just concentrate on the dialogues. Mere presence of Komal adds comedy element to the scenes. Its been long time since he has come out of the shadow of his elder brother, Jaggesh. Film posters project Sudeep as the hero of the film but heroic performance if any ends there, as he delivers an indifferent performance here.

Film is about 4 jobless guys - Diganth, Komal, Vijay Raghavendra and Nagakiran, who are after the Rs.20 crore bounty, hidden under a big 'M' in Ooty Botanical Garderns. Things get complicated as they are joined by Sudeep, a disgruntled police officer who knows this secret and trys to stop at their mission and take away the full share! Further Sathya Raj, playing robber and Rangaayana Raghu also join the mad race. Comedy of errors to induce laughter is common in such tales and here too. Though the gang of these funny guys get hold of the treasure, they donate it to charity under changed circumstances.

Picture Source : Chitraloka.com

Sole heroine in the movie, Jenifer Kotwal gives an average performance. Lip synch for dubbing seems out of place. But it also a pity that for most of the Kannada heroines, the only dubbing artist is Deepu. Let the heroine be - Pooja Gandhi, Ramya aka Divya Spandana or Shubha Poonja, the female voice is of Deepu only. Rangayana Raghu seems like a slapping expert in the movie with acting going backstage. Nagakiran, who plays a dumb guy in this movie, has been dubbed with voice similar to that of duck for his antics - this could have been clearly avoided. Diganth has to go back to his acting classes. Tennis Krishna, Sihikahi Chandru, Umashri come and go. Of the movie locations, I could identify Manchinabele backwaters, on the outskirts of Bangalore city, where much of the scenes are shot. Surprise package is the song in the climax featuring Kannada superstar Upendra and a galaxy of Sandalwood heroines - Andrita Ray, Sharmila Maandre, Nethanya, Suman Ranganath, Keerthi Chawla, Rekha, Sanjanaa, Ragini, Ramanitho Chowdhry, Gowri Munjaal and Maahi.

In the end, as you would have thought by now, Mast Maja Maadi is a remake of Dhamaal which in itself is a remake of hollywood flick Its a mad, mad, mad world!. I would like to call these two remakes as national remake and international remake! That's not all - some scenes for Mast Maja Maadi are blatantly lifted from Golmaal, making it sort of kichdi. So, initially when the film begins dialogues seem direct translation of Hindi version. But for the audience's respite, this translation saga ends at first few scenes. An average film, can be given a try or better, a miss!