Baaji Review

Director Shidlaghatta Shrinivas, who has directed many successful TV serials, has failed in his directorial debut Baaji, which stars actor Kashinath's son Alok and Raani in the lead. Baaji, which is a launch pad for Alok, director Srinivas and Raani, is all about betting in cricket. Despite having interesting story, the director bores the audiences with tedious narration and unnecessary scenes.

Kittappa (Rangayana Raghu) bets his daughter Priya (Rani) with underworld don Abdul Khan (Kishore) in India-Pakistan cricket match. Baaji (Alok) saves Priya, who studies in the US. Baaji falls in love with Priya, but she is in love with Abhi and wants to marry him. Whom she marries will form the climax.

The director, who has earlier worked as an associate director to many films directed by S Narayan, has dragged the movie like a TV serial. Instead of creating unnecessary sequences, he could have focused more on the story, which seems very interesting. He has played a spoilsport with unconvincing and incoherent scenes.

Although Alok's performance in dance and action scenes seems good, it does not suit his personality. Actress Raani has nil performance and she needs to be trained a lot to continue in the industry. Anant Nag, Rangaayana Raghu and Padmaja have performed their roles in the usual way.

G R Shankar has made a big name with music of Orata, but his music in Baaji has failed to create any interest among the audiences. Camera-work by Srinivasa Sanklapura is average.

The movie can be ignored.

Director: Shidlaghatta Shrinivas
Cast: Alok, Raani, Rangayana Raghu, Anant Nag, Kishor, Padmaja and Layendra
Music: GR Shankar

Rating: ***