Anatharu - Review

Monday, September 17, 2007

Anatharu is a well made film dominated by Upendra and Upendra alone. Despite brilliant performances from other artists like Sanghavi and Darshan, the fact remains that it is only Upendra"s facial expressions and mannerisms that will be in your memory for a long time. Yes, people may argue that the film may fail in comparison with its Tamil original Pithamagan, but it is more than a Paisa Vasool film mainly because of the sterling performance of Upendra and brilliant camera work of KK.

Laurels are also due to Producer Munirathna and director Sadhu Kokila for making a film like Anatharu now, when soft musical love stories have become a trend in the Kannada film industry. Perhaps they were also well aware of the fact that Anatharu will certainly stand in comparison with Pithamagan.

The only factor that provides a negative tone to the film is the excessive violence. In that way Anatharu director Sadhu should have shown the way by downsizing the high voltage emotional content and violence in the film. This in a way negates the positive impact generated by a fine technical work and Upendra"s performance in the film. Sadhu should have thought over this aspect as Kannada film audience always wants violence and action sequences in limit.

Upendra is outstanding I the film. For many people who had dismissed him as an ordinary actor with a brilliant writing and directorial ability, he has an answer through this film. He has scaled new heights as an actor in the role in which he does not speak even a word.

Anatharu may well go down as a film completely dominated by Upendra"s performance overshadowing other plus points in this film. Darshan is lively and ably supports Upendra. Sanghavi is very good in her role, while Radhika should have put in some more efforts.

Sadhu has taken care to choose right locations for the film. The graveyard sequences have been shot well and the lighting pattern adopted by KK is the highlight. And the fight sequences are sure to be liked by lovers of action sequences. Even the dialogues penned by Ranganath are effective.

Anatharu is a must see film for all the Kannada film fans.

Banner – Vrushabadri Productions
Producer – Munirathna
Direction – Sadhu Kokila
Cinematographer – Krishnakumar
Music – Sadhu Kokila
Cast – Upendra, Darshan, Radhika, Sanghavi, Dr.Nagesh, Ramaraju, Sadhu Kokila, Ramba and others.